The 10 Most 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 could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

Different classifications and types of cases may result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect or injury, it could cause serious health problems for the child's future. Birth defects are often caused by medical error or mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some instances birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can result from complications in pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these ailments, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are older than 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses might want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, which can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during the pregnancy process, at birth, or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are visible. Others aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct which carries bile to the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests, which look for certain health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can easily be identified by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused the birth defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription or over-the counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate water and air in communities or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Other times birth defects may be due to a physician not taking appropriate steps to avoid or treat a medical condition. In these instances, a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect are based on the severity and type. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. These are often inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. They are usually caused by issues with the growth of the baby's organs, specifically in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born or later in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo an inherited test for birth defects to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Some birth defects can also be due to chemicals that are present in the surrounding environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth Defect Attorneys injuries and defects remain a tragic reality. Thankfully most birth defects can be prevented. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we are proud on the high level of service we provide to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself, and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in some instances and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them onto the public, and they must inform consumers about any possible adverse consequences. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.