Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and a quarter minutes. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of the affected.

Different ways in which cases are identified and classified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury it could cause serious health problems for the child for life. Birth Defect Lawyer defects can be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of the doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In other cases they could be caused by environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen in the foetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented with the help of a specialist, such as PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness might want to consult a genetic counselor prior birth defect lawyer to trying to become pregnant. This can help them determine if additional testing is needed. Newborn screening tests are able to determine certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function or the structure of the individual. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, during birth or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious such as cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are diagnosed through newborn screening tests that check for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually implicated. These include exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a doctor did not take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain defects can be corrected prior Birth Defect lawyer to a baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Most of the most prevalent issues are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or extra genes in a person’s cells. They are typically passed down from the parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life if signs start to appear. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed towards a particular condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by consumption of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science, birth defect attorney injuries and defects remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling wrongful birth defect attorneys cases. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself and your entire family.

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

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them onto the market, and inform customers about any possible side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.