10 Things We Hate About Birth Defect Attorneys

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 affect the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Variations in the way cases are identified and classified could lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect or injury, it could cause serious health issues for the child's future. Birth defects could be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of doctors during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In other instances, they can result from environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances.  birth defect law firm deltona  can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that run in families. They can be detected through an ultrasound or blood test. Certain of these ailments like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of having birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they should undergo additional testing. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of a person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or during the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are apparent. Others, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests, which check for specific health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It may not always be certain what caused birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating water and air in communities, or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a doctor did not take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent an existing medical condition. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect can vary based on its severity and type. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. These defects are caused due to issues with the baby's organ development particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life if signs begin to show. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth defects result from complications that can occur during pregnancy, while others can be linked to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that are present in the environment, such as pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science, birth injuries and defects persist as an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may be due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has 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 provide to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue damages, which include past and future medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in some instances, and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible result.

Drug makers are required to thoroughly test their products before putting them on the market and to warn consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication, you could start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.