Birth Defect Attorneys: What Nobody Is Talking About
Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.
Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with an injury or defect could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medical care or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases, birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some cases, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that occur during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).
Certain birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses which run in families. These are easily identified through a blood test or an 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 conditions.
Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders might want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine if they need to undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated as soon as they are identified.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates however others are more noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).
Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests which check for specific health issues. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defect attorney defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.
It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or Birth defects over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result of a doctor not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical disease. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been discovered, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.
The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from the parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs especially in the first three month of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds and blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular ailment.
Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that occur during pregnancy, while other can be linked to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also linked to certain chemicals that can be found in the surrounding environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Thankfully most birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.
Our team of expert birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice, and we take pride on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself and your family.
We can help you seek compensation for damages, such as the future and past medical costs, lost income, punitive damage in some cases and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible outcome.
Drug makers are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on market, and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.
