Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of those affected.

Different classifications and types of cases can lead to an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case assessment, 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 effects. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some instances birth defect law firms defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these illnesses can be prevented or treated by a doctor, for example PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Certain birth defects aren't known to be the cause. They are called congenital conditions, or congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities have an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases might want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to have a baby. This will help them determine if additional testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can help identify some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated right away.

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 the individual. Birth defects can be identified by a medical professional during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests, which look for certain health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It's not always certain what caused the birth defect, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the water and air in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to make the necessary steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice claims can 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 may require medical intervention or surgery after the baby's birth.

A few of the most common issues are the chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. 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 can be performed during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

It's not always easy to avoid birth defects. Some are due to complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. birth defect law Firms defects can be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are due to chemicals that can be found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medical technology, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child that has a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with 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 and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in some instances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and work hard to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them to the public, and they must inform consumers about any potential side consequences. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.