When a parent learns that their child was injured at birth, it can be a difficult experience for an entire family. Many people expect that their doctor would never exhibit negligence that would injure a newborn. Unfortunately, there are many scenarios where a doctor may not consider all the risks when delivering a child. If your child was a victim of a serious birth injury and developed Horner’s syndrome, you should consult with an experienced Maryland attorney for children born with Horner’s syndrome.
At Bennett & Heyman, we are here to help you pursue the compensation your family needs to raise a child that developed Horner’s syndrome due to birth injury or medical malpractice. We understand how a family may feel after learning a doctor they trusted failed to act responsibly, and we can help you get started on your potential case. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential malpractice lawsuit with a Maryland lawyer for children born with Horner’s syndrome, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You can also schedule your consultation online.
Signs and Symptoms of Horner’s Syndrome in Children
Horner’s syndrome is a medical condition that occurs when a person suffers an injury to the nerves that connect to the brain, eye, and other areas of the face. Typically, Horner’s syndrome only affects one side of a person’s body. While this condition is a rare occurrence in children, there are still circumstances that can lead to a child developing Horner’s syndrome.
There are a number of signs and symptoms that can help a doctor identify Horner’s syndrome. For example, if an infant is shown to have two different pupil sizes, this can often be used to diagnose Horner’s syndrome. Here are other common signs and symptoms of Horner’s syndrome:
- Miosis in one eye which causes the eye to constrict temporarily or permanently
- Delayed dilation once a pupil has been exposed to light
- A child’s upper eyelid appears droopy (ptosis)
- One eye may look sunken
- Decreased sweating or no sweating on one side of the face
- An abnormal patch of skin on the affected area
- Severe redness of the eye
- Different color irises
This is not an exhaustive list. It is important to note that some children may experience all the above symptoms of Horner’s syndrome, while other children may only experience one or two. That is why it is important to have your child examined by a doctor if you observe any of these signs and symptoms.
To learn more about the common causes of Horner’s syndrome, you should continue reading and consider speaking with an experienced Maryland birth injury lawyer to discuss your potential Horner’s syndrome birth injury case.
Common Causes of Horner’s Syndrome in Children in Maryland
An infant can develop Horner’s syndrome for a number of reasons. However, there is a good chance that an infant may develop this condition due to a birth injury caused by medical malpractice. There is a wide range of circumstances that can lead to an infant developing Horner’s syndrome. The following are common causes of Horner’s syndrome due to medical malpractice.
Misuse of Birth-Assisting Instruments
Misuse of birth-assisting medical instruments is a common cause of Horner’s syndrome. Forceps are one type of birth-assisting instrument used to help deliver a child from the birth canal. These tong-like instruments are attached to the head of a child in order to gently pull them from the birth canal. Unfortunately, a doctor may use excessive force when using forceps. As a result, a fragile infant could suffer a head injury and develop Horner’s syndrome.
Additionally, even if a doctor does not use birth-assisting instruments, it is possible that they could still injure a child during delivery. For example, if a doctor pulls too hard when delivering a child, there is a high risk that they could tear the sympathetic nerves, which can result in Horner’s syndrome.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the child becomes stuck in the birth canal and sustains an injury to their shoulder. This typically happens if a child cannot fit through the birth canal and becomes trapped in the birth canal for a period of time.
Breech Birth
As a mother’s delivery date approaches, a child in the womb should begin to shift their head towards the opening of the birth canal. In some cases, an infant may remain in a feet-first position toward the birth canal; this is also known as breech presentation. When an infant is delivered in breech presentation, there is a high chance an infant can become distressed and suffer a severe injury.
There are many other causes of Horner’s syndrome that are not discussed above. Our firm can help you seek compensation for the injuries your child sustained during delivery. You should contact our Baltimore birth injury attorneys today to learn about your options in a medical malpractice claim against a negligent doctor.
Consult with Our Experienced Maryland Attorney for Children Born with Horner’s Syndrome to Discuss Your Potential Case
If your child developed Horner’s syndrome due to medical negligence during the pregnancy, you should work with an experienced Maryland lawyer for children born with Horner’s syndrome. The legal team at Bennett & Heyman is ready to offer you the legal representation needed to handle your malpractice claim. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss the details of your child’s injuries, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You may also contact the firm online.
