Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These defects can affect the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

Variations in the way cases are identified and classified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

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

In some instances, birth defect can be avoided through the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In other instances, they can result from environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, including uterine constriction, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defect law firm defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. These are easily identified through tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented with the help of a specialist, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no origin and birth defect lawyer are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of developing birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they require additional testing. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial irregularities are visible. Some, however, aren't as obvious as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile to the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests which look for certain health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be diagnosed by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the defect.

It's not always easy to determine the source of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently associated with. This can be due to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor failed to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect are based on the severity and type of birth defect. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery following the birth of the baby.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by issues with the development of organs in the baby particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They are also able to be done later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas other are linked to environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects may be linked to chemicals found in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides, such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth defect lawyer injuries and defects continue to be an unsettling fact. Fortunately most birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to speak to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the exceptional service we provide to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for damages including future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages when necessary, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and work diligently to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing their products to the market, and warn customers about any possible side negative effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you may make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.