Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

Different classifications and types of cases may result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defect lawyer defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can cause serious health issues for the child's life. Birth defects are usually caused by a medical mistake or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented through the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some cases birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction, birth defect rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. They can be detected through an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented with the help of a specialist, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no known origin and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they'll need additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part which affects the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be spotted by a medical professional during pregnancy, before birth or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are easily visible. Others, however, aren't as obvious as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for specific 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 conditions like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be diagnosed by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused a birth defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes birth defects can be the result of a doctor not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical problem. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect are based on its severity and type. Certain defects can be corrected prior to a baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These are typically caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs, specifically in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are susceptible to a certain condition.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Some are due to issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defect lawsuits defects. Some birth defects can be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine birth injuries and defects persist as a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child that has an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is crucial to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as you can. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take great pride in the level of service that we provide to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for birth Defect damages including past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing their products to the market, and warn consumers about any potential side effects. If, however, your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may file a product liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.