Birth Defect Attorneys Explained In Less Than 140 Characters

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 those affected.

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

Causes

A baby born with a defect or injury can be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects could be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus.

Some Birth Defect law Firms defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. They can be detected through a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborns can reveal some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part and can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or in early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be identified through newborn screening tests which look for a variety of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth. Other times birth defects could be the result of a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these situations, a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and type. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby's birth.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically inherited from parents. These include cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart issues. These are typically caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a child is born or later in life, when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are due to issues that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that can be found in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully most birth defects can be prevented. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that the birth defect could be due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate will help you understand the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for damages, such as past and future medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances, and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers are expected to test their products thoroughly prior to releasing them onto the market and to warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.