Facial paralysis is a condition affecting the muscles and nerves of the face that involves a loss of movement in the face. While facial paralysis can be caused by a brain injury suffered in a serious accident such as in a construction accident or a car accident, another common cause of facial paralysis is a medical mistake that leads to birth injury. If during delivery excessive pressure is placed on the baby’s face the baby could suffer facial paralysis. The treatment for facial paralysis can involve long-term physical therapy or surgery. In some cases the paralysis is permanent, causing the victim to suffer emotionally. If you are in need of a New York Injury Lawyer because your baby suffered facial paralysis due to your doctor’s negligence, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Bronx Facial Paralysis Injury Lawyer who will explain to you your legal rights to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
What Causes Facial Paralysis?While facial paralysis is sometimes caused by head trauma or a viral infection, it can also be caused by a medical mistake during child birth. If excessive pressure is put on the baby’s face during delivery, the baby could suffer temporary or permanent facial paralysis. For example, the negligent use of forceps during a vaginal delivery can lead to facial paralysis.
There are certain risk factors that make it more likely that a baby will suffer facial paralysis. For example, if the baby is particularly large or the mother’s pelvis is small, there is a greater likelihood that the other will have a difficult time pushing the baby through the birth canal. This may cause the baby to get stuck and the medical staff may decide to use forceps, increasing the possibility of damage to nerves in the baby’s. Other risk factors include should dystocia, mother with a history of difficult labors, and use of an epidural.
What are the Symptoms of Facial Paralysis?In babies facial paralysis typically occurs in the part of the face near the mouth and cheeks. The most common symptoms include:
In some cases facial paralysis is temporary and disappears on its own. In other cases treatment is required. Surgery may be required to decompress the nerve. Physical therapy may also be needed to strengthen the muscles in the affect area. In cases where the baby cannot close his or her eye, there is a significant possibility of damage to the eye. Treatment includes use of eye drops and the use of protective eyewear.
Pursuing CompensationMedical malpractice occurs when a medical professional such as an obstetrician, nurse, or other healthcare professional fails to take reasonable care and as a result the patient suffers an injury. Thus, if a doctor fails to appropriately assess the risk of facial paralysis or treat it, and as a result your baby is injured, New York law allows you to hold that doctor and other medical professionals legally and financially liable.
The negligent party may be required to compensate you for your baby’s medical bills related to the injuries suffered because of the medical mistake. If as a result of your baby’s injury you end up missing a work, your damages could include compensation for the income you lost. The court may also award damages based on the physical and mental anguish your baby suffers because of the injury.
Beware that New York law has a specific time limit for filing a claim for a personal injury. If you do not file your claim within the time period, you will be forever barred from collecting damages even if your case has merit. In addition, if the party responsible for your injury was a government entity then there are special procedures you must follow to file a claim.
Bronx Facial Paralysis Injury LawyerIf you suspect that you or your baby was injured because your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional failed to appropriately respond to the risk factors for facial paralysis or managed the condition in a negligent manner, do not hesitate to immediately contact an experienced birth injury attorney. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates is experienced in successfully representing clients who have suffered injuries due to mistakes made by medical professionals, as well as those injured in car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, and other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.