Every parent hopes their child will be born strong and healthy and without any issues. Unfortunately, an infant’s health could be jeopardized if they suffer an injury that develops into Bell’s palsy. When a birth injury causes Bell’s palsy, a doctor and their employer could be held legally liable for medical malpractice. If your child developed Bell’s palsy due to medical malpractice, contact an experienced Maryland birth injury lawyer today.
Bennett & Heyman, P.A. understands how an injury to your newborn baby can impact your life, and we are here for you. Your child should not have to suffer because a physician failed to properly deliver your child. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Bennett & Heyman, P.A. at (410) 429-7856, or contact us online.
Common Causes of Bell’s Palsy in Infants
Infant Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes the muscles in the face to become weak or paralyzed. As a result, one side of a child’s face may appear expressionless or without the ability to move. Other signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:
- Excessive drooling
- Eyes that frequently appear dry or teary
- Inability to smile on one side of the face
- Loss of taste
If your child exhibits any of the above symptoms, you should ensure they are seen by an experienced doctor to evaluate their health.
It is still unknown what causes a child to develop Bell’s palsy. However, studies suggest that Bell’s palsy is linked to the herpes simplex virus, which can cause cold sores to appear on or near the area of a person’s mouth. This virus can be passed to a child through a maternal infection.
Other studies suggest that upper respiratory infections like the common cold and the flu may also cause a child to develop Bell’s palsy.
In the majority of cases of Bell’s palsy, the child will recover after one to two months. In some cases, doctors will prescribe medication like corticosteroids to help treat the condition. However, severe cases of Bell’s palsy can cause a child to suffer permanent nerve damage in certain portions of their face.
Diagnosing Bell’s Palsy After a Negligent Delivery
To determine whether a child is suffering from Bell’s palsy, there are a number of tests that a could perform. The majority of these tests will check the baby’s vision, hearing, and feelings of sensation. If this is not enough to verify whether the child has Bell’s palsy, the doctor can perform a CT scan, MRI, or an electroencephalogram.
Despite the possibility of passing the herpes simplex virus from mother to child, a doctor can be held responsible for the transmission of the virus under certain circumstances. Prenatal testing is supposed to discover any issues the child may have. If a doctor fails to inform a parent about an issue that could cause their child to develop Bell’s palsy, they could steal an opportunity from the parents to treat an issue with medication.
To learn more about filing a lawsuit for a birth injury in Maryland, continue reading and speak with an experienced Baltimore birth injury attorney today.
When to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for a Birth Injury
If your baby was the victim of a birth injury due to a negligent physician, you should consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. If you want to pursue a medical malpractice claim against your doctor or the hospital that employs them, you should be aware that your lawsuit is subject to the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations determines the amount of time that a plaintiff has to file a lawsuit against a defendant. In Maryland, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases is within five years of the injury was caused or within three years of when the plaintiff discovered the injury. This means you must be aware of when your child became afflicted with Bell’s palsy as it could determine when your filing date is set.
If a plaintiff fails to file their lawsuit within the deadline, the court may bar the plaintiff’s claim. If this happens, the plaintiff will be unable to pursue legal compensation through the courts. That is why it is important to work with an attorney that will ensure that your valid lawsuit is timely filed with the courts.
Work with an Experienced Baltimore Bell’s Palsy Injury Attorney You Can Trust
If your child was the victim of a birth injury that resulted in Bell’s palsy, consult with an experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorney. The injury attorneys at Bennett & Heyman, P.A. possess over 70 years of combined legal experience litigating a number of birth injury cases, and they would be proud to work with you. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact Bennett & Heyman, P.A. at (410) 429-7856.
