Facial Birth Injuries from Medical Malpractice

If your child suffered a Facial Birth Injury from Medical Malpractice, Learn How We Can Help

While everyone hopes to have a healthy labor and delivery, ending in taking home their healthy baby with them, it is not always the case. Birth injuries sadly happen every day. A birth injury is an injury that occurs shortly before, during, or after labor and delivery. Some birth injuries are unpreventable, but many birth injuries are preventable. One type of birth injury that is almost always preventable is Facial Birth Injuries.

A facial birth trauma occurs when there is damage to the face or skull during labor and delivery. As with all injuries resulting from medical malpractice, a facial birth injury may not be immediately evident. It may appear as if the child has been born with a normal-looking face in some cases. In other cases, there are apparent abnormalities that are immediately apparent to anyone who sees the child. Regardless of facial birth injury type or severity, these injuries can have lifelong implications for affected children and their families. If your child suffered a facial birth injury, call one of our experienced birth injury lawyers by locating one here at Medical Malpractice Universe to learn what your rights may be under the law.

What are facial birth injuries?

Facial birth injuries are any damage or wound to the face during childbirth. Many of these are caused by medical malpractice, when a doctor or hospital makes an error which causes the injury. Such errors can include:

• Nerve damage caused by forceps; forceps are used to deliver a baby via the birth canal, but if they are misused or left on too long they can cause permanent nerve damage to the face.

• Bone fractures, including cephalohematoma and craniosynostosis. Cephalohematoma is bleeding between the skull and skin after being delivered, which can lead to a bump on the head. Craniosynosotosis is when there is prematurely fused growth of the bones in the skull, which can cause deformity or pressure on the brain.

• Facial nerve damage, including facial paralysis and Bell’s palsy. Bell’s Palsy is an inflammation of the nerves near the ear, which is often temporary although it can be permanent. Facial paralysis, meanwhile is an injury to one or more the seven facial nerves, causing weakness of the muscles on one side of the face.

How often do facial birth injuries occur?

Facial birth injuries are relatively common. According to the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 5-10% of all births result in facial damage. Birth injury attorneys have compiled data suggesting that between 13% and 25% of children receive a facial injury at birth.

What are the common symptoms of facial birth injuries?

Symptoms of facial birth injuries can vary but may include:

• Protruding ears;  this is usually a result of cephalohematoma

• Scarring, which is usually caused by nerve damage or other facial injuries that require surgery.

• One side of the face (lips, nose, cheek) drooping or not working properly because of Bell’s palsy or paralysis.

• A visible deformity, such as an abnormally large forehead.

• Vision problems in one eye.

• Fluids draining from the nose constantly, which is caused by damage to the tear ducts.  This can lead to blindness if left untreated for too long.

What is the treatment for facial birth injuries?

Treatment of facial birth injuries varies depending on the damage but may consist of surgery or other medical intervention. Some wounds heal independently, such as a cephalohematoma, which only requires observation to ensure it does not become infected. Different conditions require extensive surgery and rehabilitation, such as Bell’s palsy.

Are there any long-term effects of facial birth trauma?

Long-term effects of facial birth injuries include blindness, brain damage, and permanent disfigurement or scarring. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery has found that roughly 20% of patients who receive facial surgeries for birth injuries end up experiencing some permanent damage or disability.

Do I have a case if my child has suffered from facial birth injuries?

When a child is born, one of the essential parts of their body to develop correctly is the facial bones. A facial birth injury may occur if these bones don’t develop correctly. If a parent suspects that their child has a facial birth injury, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention to have a facial birth injury specialist examine the child. If a medical professional was negligent in diagnosing or treating a child’s suspected facial birth injury, the child might have a medical malpractice claim. Learn how you may recover compensation under the law by contacting one of our experienced birth injury attorneys located here at Medical Malpractice Universe.