California Infant Facial Paralysis Lawyer
Seeking Justice for Injured Children
Some birth injuries may be uncomfortable to look at, but they are relatively minor. Good examples of this would be bruising or an elongated head, both of which are a normal part of the birth process. Other injuries however, can be serious and aren’t immediately apparent. These types of injuries include things like brain damage, a spinal injury and damage to cranial nerves. If your child has suffered from a birth injury, let our experienced infant facial paralysis lawyer help your family.
Seventh Cranial Nerve
The seventh cranial nerve is in the face and neck area, and can easily become damaged. Facial nerve paralysis is the loss of voluntary muscle movement in the infant’s face due to nerve damage. This is caused by pressure on the facial nerve during the birth process. This damage can be caused by an improper use of forceps or sometimes, can arise from a difficult delivery. There are other ways the facial nerves can become damaged such as:
Viral infection: Bell’s palsy is a common cause of facial paralysis.
Head trauma: A head injury such as a skull fracture can cause paralysis.
Surgical error: A surgery involving the delicate areas of the face can damage the nerves.
Your physician must always be assessing any potential risk factors that could contribute to an injury like this. Factors that can contribute to this injury include:
- Large baby
- Difficult labor
- Overdue pregnancy
- Induced labor
- Epidural
Symptoms of Facial Paralysis
The most common type of facial paralysis occurs when the lower part of the facial nerve is affected, which controls the movement of the mouth. Common symptoms include:
- Lower face appears uneven when the baby cries.
- Mouth doesn’t move uniformly (left and right side) when the baby cries.
- One side of the baby’s face doesn’t move.
- One eyelid may not close.
Recommended Treatment for Facial Paralysis
Often these injuries will go away on their own, usually within the first four months. It is estimated that in approximately 5% of the cases, the damage will be permanent. Treatments can include:
- Eye pads and eye drops to treat the affected eye;
- Surgery to reduce pressure on the nerve;
- Drug therapy;
- Injections.
If your child has been injured and has facial paralysis, it is important you come in and talk to us. We can advise you of your legal options and can create an action plan moving forward. We understand how upsetting these injuries can be. Know that our California facial paralysis lawyers believe that if your child’s injury was due to medical malpractice, the doctors, hospitals and medical staff should be held accountable for their actions.
If your child has suffered from facial paralysis due to the negligence of a medical professional, the California infant facial paralysis lawyers from Donahue & Horrow LLP are here to help your family. Your child might be entitled to compensation for their physical injuries and the expenses of care in the future. Call us today to learn more about your legal rights. Your first consultation is completely free. If you decide to pursue a claim, we’ll take your case on a contingency basis. This means that we don’t get paid until we recover compensation for you. Call us today at 310-322-0300 or toll free at 877-664-5407.