Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and quarter minutes. These birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.
Different ways in which cases are classified and identified can result in over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system includes 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 the result of medical error or mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In certain instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy such as uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).
Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. They can be identified by an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented by a doctor, for example PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and
Birth Defect Law Firms cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known origin and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.
Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to get pregnant. This will help them determine if additional testing is needed. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that can be treated right away.
Diagnosis
A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during early childhood. Some birth defects are visible, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).
Many birth defects are diagnosed through newborn screening tests which check for specific health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic illnesses such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can easily be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the condition.
It's not always possible to determine the root of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually associated with. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or during delivery. 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 the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been identified, the options for treatment differ based on the type and severity of the problem. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the baby is born.
Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They usually come from the parents. Structural
birth defect law firms defects are things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. These problems are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs, particularly in the first three month of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular ailment.
Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced to certain environmental factors.
birth defect lawsuits defects may be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbalicides, such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects continue to be a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.
Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs 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 focus on your child and your family.
We can help you seek damages, which include future and past medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages when necessary as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best outcome for your family.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on the market and warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a prescription drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect lawyer.