birth defect lawsuit 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 birth defects can impact the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases could result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects could be caused by medical errors or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

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

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these ailments are treatable or preventable like PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no known cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of Birth Defect law firms defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic diseases may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they'll need further tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body and can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born, or in early childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are easily visible. Other birth defects, however, are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that carries the bile to the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are detected through newborn screening tests which look for certain types of health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain 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 possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often implicated. This may include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, chemical substances that can contaminate the air and water of communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes birth defects could be due to a physician not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these situations the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect differ based on the severity and type of birth defect. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. They are typically inherited from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found and neural tube defects and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs particularly in the initial 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 symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can result in birth defects. Certain birth defects are related to chemicals that are found in the environment, such as pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Thankfully many birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with 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 our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for damages, such as future and past medical expenses, lost income, punitive damages in certain instances and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and also warn consumers of any possible side negative effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.