Facial Paralysis Caused by Birth Trauma

Complications often arise during delivery and it is up to the doctors and medical staff to take action to protect the newborn and mother. Sometimes medical negligence can lead to serious birth injuries. Newborns have been known to suffer facial paralysis and while most of these cases are only temporary, some will require physical therapy and/or surgery.

There are many causes of facial paralysis and babies may develop this condition while still in the womb. In those situations, the paralysis is not always preventable. Some of the other factors linked to facial paralysis and birth injury include prolonged labor, medication used to induce labor, epidurals, vacuum deliveries and forceps.

If you are unsure if your child has suffered facial paralysis, you should be aware of the symptoms of this condition. A child with this birth injury may exhibit decreased muscle control on half of the mouth or problems closing an eyelid. In more serious cases, you will notice that half of your child’s face appears to be paralyzed.

In a Kentucky birth injury case, you can hold the doctor or medical provider responsible if you can show that the injury could have been prevented. For example, if the doctor or hospital failed to provide an acceptable standard of care and the infant suffered as a result, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. A knowledgeable birth injury lawyer will be able to review your child’s case to determine if actions could have been taken by the medical staff that would have prevented your child from suffering facial paralysis and if the medical provider could have predicted the condition.

If your child has suffered facial nerve damage caused by medical malpractice, you may be able to pursue compensation from the medical provider who caused the condition. Contact an experienced birth injury lawyer in Louisville at Gray and White Law for more information at 502-637-6000 or 800-637-6033.