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 effect on the lives of the affected.

Different classifications and types of cases could result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects can be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth Defect attorneys defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some cases birth defects may be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may be the result of complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be detected through an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable with the help of a specialist, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they require further tests. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during the pregnancy process, at birth defect lawsuit, or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are obvious. Others are not as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that transports bile to the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be detected through newborn screening tests that look for a variety of health problems. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the condition.

It's not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often involved. This may include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that can contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a doctor failed to take the proper steps to prevent or treat the occurrence of a medical condition. In these situations it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

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

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. These include cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart issues. These defects are caused by problems with the baby's organ development especially in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They may also be conducted later in life, if symptoms begin to show. These tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a particular ailment.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, while other can be linked to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Certain birth defects could be linked to chemicals found in the environment. These include pesticides and herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medical science, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Fortunately most birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling the claims of wrongful birth. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take pride in the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child, you, and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for any damages, including the future and past medical costs, lost income, punitive damage in some cases and emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them onto the market, and warn consumers of any possible side effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect lawyer.