Willa Blacklow asked 10 months ago
Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.
Different classifications and types of cases can result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with an injury or defect may be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects can result from medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.
In some instances, birth defect can be avoided through taking care of your baby and eating well. In certain instances birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack oxygen to the foetus.
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 diseases 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 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they require further tests. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect some 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 and can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during pregnancy, before birth or in early childhood. Some birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are visible. Others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile to the liver).
Many birth defect conditions are diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for a variety of health issues. 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 is also used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defect lawsuits defects can be diagnosed by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the type of defect.
It may not always be possible to know what caused the birth defect, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes birth defects can be caused by a medical professional failing to take the appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical health condition. In these cases the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.
Treatment
When a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.
The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart issues. These problems are caused by problems with the baby’s organ development particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or after birth. They are also able to be done later in life if symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are predisposed to a particular ailment.
Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also linked to certain chemicals that are present in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.
Compensation
Despite the latest advances in medicine birth injuries and defects continue to be an unfortunate fact. Many birth defect lawyer defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for your family’s losses as well as expenses.
Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling the claims of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the quality of service we offer our clients. We’ll take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.
We can assist you in seeking compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs loss of income, punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best outcome for your family.
Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and warn consumers about any possible adverse consequences. If, however your child’s birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you could make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.