mineral wells birth defect law firm Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and a quarter minutes. These defects can alter the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are usually caused by medical error or doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other instances they may be the result of environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth problems can be caused by complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture the amniotic sac or a lack oxygen to the foetus.

Some birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound or blood test. Certain illnesses are treatable or preventable like PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. This can help them determine if further testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, before birth or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are obvious. Others, however, are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile to the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests, which look for certain health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It's not always easy to determine the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often involved. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the water and air in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a medical professional failing to take the appropregligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice, and we take pride on the high level of service we offer our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can concentrate on your child and your entire family.

We can help you obtain compensation for any damages, including future and past medical expenses as well as lost income, punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on market and warn consumers of potential side effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.