The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can have serious health consequences for the child for life. Birth Defect Attorneys defects could be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other instances, they can result from environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable like PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples with the same genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to have a baby. This can help them determine if additional tests are required. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious such as cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates and others are not as conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be detected through newborn screening tests that look for certain types of health issues. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be identified by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the type of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating water and air in communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a doctor did not make the necessary steps to prevent or treat the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect are based on its severity and type. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

The most frequent problems are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or excess genes in a person’s cells. These are typically passed down from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These problems are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs, particularly in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They are also able to be done later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed towards a particular condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that arise during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Certain birth defects could be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. These include pesticides and herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic fact. Fortunately most birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling wrongful birth claims. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the level of service that we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking damages, which include past and future medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages when necessary and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers are expected to thoroughly test their products before putting them on the market and warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you could file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defects drug lawyer.