Silke Lewin спросил 5 месяцев назад
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 can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.
Variations in the way cases are identified and classified can result in either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are usually the result of medical error or mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances, they can result from environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine limit rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).
Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These can be diagnosed with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be prevented or treated by a doctor, for example PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Some birth defects aren’t known to be the cause. They are called congenital disorders, also known as congenital abnormalities.
Women who are older than 30 and are of certain ethnicities have a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic diseases might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo further testing. Screening tests for newborns are able to identify certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that could be treated immediately.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function, or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial anomalies, are visible. Some, however, are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct which carries the bile to the liver).
Many birth defect disorders can be identified through newborn screening tests that look for some kinds of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be detected by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the defect.
It’s not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a doctor did not take the proper steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.
Treatment
Treatment options for a birth defect are based on its severity and type. Some can be corrected before a baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.
Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. Structural birth Defect attorneys defects include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart problems. These are usually caused by issues during the development of a baby’s organs, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be performed later in life, if symptoms begin to show. These tests are conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they’re predisposed towards a particular condition.
It’s not always easy to avoid birth defects. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Some birth defects can also be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes pesticides and 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 persist as an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with a birth defect that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate will 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 has years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We’ll take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate 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, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.
Manufacturers of drugs are required to adequately test their products before putting them on the market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child’s birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may be able to bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.