Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to an under- or overestimated number of birth defect lawsuits defects. A well-designed system will include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury, it can cause serious health problems for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects could be caused by medical errors or negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In other cases they could be the result of environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a lack oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain illnesses can be treated or prevented, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and palate. Some birth defects are not recognized to be the cause. They are called congenital disorders or congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to have a baby. This can help couples determine whether they'll need further testing. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function, or the structure of the individual. A healthcare provider can detect birth defect lawsuit defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and palates or craniofacial anomalies while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be detected through newborn screening tests that check for specific health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are among the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a Birth Defect attorneys defect. However, environmental factors are often implicated. This may include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that can contaminate the air and water in communities or a problem during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects are due to a physician failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or treat a recognized medical problem. In these instances the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention after the baby's birth.

A few of the most common disorders are the chromosomal. They are caused by extra or missing genes in a person’s cells. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. They are usually caused by problems during the development of a baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later on in life when symptoms begin to manifest. These tests can be performed via ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can also have an genetic test for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that arise during pregnancy, whereas others can be linked to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that are present in the environment, including 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 as well as injuries remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have many years of experience in settling legal claims involving birth defects that are wrongful. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we pride ourselves on the quality of service we offer our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses loss of income, punitive damages in certain instances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing their products to the public, and they must inform consumers about any potential side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.