Facial Nerve Palsy

Facial Nerve Palsy Lawyer

Facial nerve palsy is a condition that occurs when the nerves that control facial movements are damaged during birth. While most facial nerve palsy cases will cure themselves, some children may be forced to deal with permanent nerve damage that could impact one side of their face for the rest of their lives. 

Facial nerve palsy is often preventable. In many instances, the improper use of instruments like forceps during birth, improper treatment of the mother or child, or incorrect use of medication could cause the condition. 

At Salvi Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our birth injury lawyers have extensive experience helping families whose child has suffered birth injuries like facial nerve palsy due to the negligence of a medical professional. Founded more than 40 years ago, our lawyers have decades of experience aggressively fighting for our clients’ rights. And with more than $2.5 billion recovered for our clients, our results speak for themselves.

Get in touch with us for a free consultation about your case today. Simply give us a call or use our online form to get started.

How Our Facial Nerve Paralysis Lawyers Can Help

When your child is facing an injury, everything can feel confusing and overwhelming. Our facial nerve paralysis lawyers are here to help. We understand how serious facial nerve injuries are and the long-term effects of facial paralysis in newborns. Once you’re working with us, our attorneys can help by:

  • Listening to your concerns about the struggles you and your child are facing
  • Taking the stress of a case off you
  • Answering your questions
  • Explaining the law and your rights
  • Consulting with experts in the field
  • Protecting the rights of you and your child
  • Investigating and understanding what caused the injury
  • Demanding fair compensation for any facial nerve damage from trauma
  • Filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial if necessary

If you have questions about your next steps and how you can stand up for your child, talk with an attorney today.

Common Causes of Facial Nerve Palsy

Various factors can cause facial nerve palsy. Whether you’re searching a Bell’s palsy forum or looking at medical websites, you could find many different potential reasons for facial paralysis in newborns. But generally, there are three main causes for facial nerve injury that results in palsy. These include:

  • Birth injury. Birth injuries are a significant cause of facial nerve palsy. Birth injuries could be caused by doctors using certain medicines on the mother during birth. For example, anesthesia that is used to reduce a mother’s pain and medications to induce labor or contractions could contribute to facial nerve palsy. Other birth injuries such as those caused by improperly using forceps could also result in facial nerve palsy.
  • Head injury. Negligent doctors or medical staff could accidentally injury a newborn’s head. Since newborns are so fragile, even a small injury could create nerve damage and long-term facial nerve palsy.
  • Viral infection. Viral infections can be a key cause of facial nerve injuries. While the causes of facial nerve injuries or Bell’s palsy in children sometimes aren’t clear, experts do know that certain viruses are linked to Bell’s palsy. In some cases, hospitals and doctors could prevent these infections through appropriate policies and procedures.

Proving Negligence Caused Your Child’s Facial Nerve Palsy

To prove negligence in many cases, you’ll need to show the link between what medical providers did wrong and the injury that your child suffered. That means you’ll need to look at detailed medical records and many other types of evidence to prove your case. Your facial nerve palsy lawyer can help build your case by:

  • Reviewing medical records, including the use of medication or medical procedures
  • Consulting with medical experts 
  • Examining similar complaints against doctors or hospitals
  • Investigating the medical standards of care that apply

Common Symptoms of Facial Nerve Palsy

Facial nerve palsy can show up in many different ways. That’s what can make it so hard to diagnose. It might even show up when you don’t expect it. But keep an eye out for these symptoms:

  • Weakness or numbness in the face. This is one of the leading symptoms of Bell’s palsy in children and facial nerve palsy.
  • Lack of control or inability to move facial muscles. Loss of muscle control is common after a facial nerve injury and it’s not a symptom you should ignore.
  • Loss of facial sensation. Our sense of touch helps comfort us and keep us safe. But nerve damage can take that away.
  • Inability to blink. If your child is unable to blink or close one or both eyes completely, it may be a symptom of facial nerve palsy.
  • Drooping of the eyes and face. This can be a symptom of facial nerve palsy and other serious conditions. If this happens, get the support and care you need.
  • Involuntary drooling. When the facial nerves are damaged, victims may be unable to control their lip muscles.
  • Sensitivity to light and sound. Newborns with facial nerve palsy may cry or become uncomfortable in bright or loud environments.
  • Other physical signs. Parents sometimes notice facial asymmetry, a lack of motion in the forehead, or other physical signs in the face after a facial nerve palsy injury.

When You Should Contact an Attorney

If you suspect your child has suffered facial nerve palsy, you should get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can review your case and help you understand your rights. Salvi Schostok & Pritchard P.C. offers a free consultation to help you find the best path forward for you and your child. 

A medical malpractice lawyer can review the circumstances surrounding your child’s facial nerve palsy and whether it could have been prevented. If a negligent healthcare provider caused your child’s injury, we can pursue a claim for compensation for:

  • Medical costs, including future hospitalizations, rehabilitations, treatments, and medications
  • Cost of nursing care
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disfigurement

If your child has developed facial nerve palsy due to the negligence of a doctor or another medical professional, contact Salvi Schostok & Pritchard. We have the resources and skill to aggressively fight for you. We’re passionate about our clients’ rights and we’ll be here for you every step of the way.

For a free consultation about your case, call us or use our online form to get in touch now.