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 have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with a defect or injury can be ill-health for a long time. Freehold Birth Defect Lawsuit defects are often caused by an error in medicine or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be avoided through taking care of your baby and eating well. In other cases they may be the result of environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, including 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 the result of genetic diseases that run in families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be treated or prevented, such as PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illnesses might want to talk to a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This will help them determine if additional testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can help identify some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, such as palates, lips, or craniofacial abnormalities, are visible. Some, however, aren't as obvious as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many mukilteo birth defect lawyer defects can be identified by newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of a birth defect, however it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating air and water in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or during delivery. Other times birth defects could be caused by a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical disease. In these situations, a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is discovered, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

Some of the most common defects are the chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found or neural tube defects and heart issues. These defects are caused by issues with the organ development of the baby particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to show. These tests are conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that arise during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can 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 recent advancements in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child that has a birth defect that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take great pride in the level of service that we provide to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself and your entire family.

We can help you pursue damages, which include future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in some instances and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them to the market, and inform consumers of any possible side negative effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.