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Facial Palsy, also known as Bell’s Palsy, is a dysfunction of the cranial or facial nerve resulting in the inability to control the facial muscles on the affected side. This isn’t a common injury but it can occur during some births and in the majority of cases the cause is unknown.
Inappropriate use of forceps can be negligent resulting in pressure and injury to the cranial nerve and facial palsy. Other known causes include a large baby, syntocinon and use of epidural anaesthesia, both of which exert unnecessary pressure onto the facial nerves of the baby during labour.
Facial Palsy sufferers often struggle to demonstrate symmetrical movements of the face when crying or sometimes have no movement of the affected area. If Facial Palsy is identified early, the sufferer needs to be closely monitored to ensure the palsy is improving. Xrays and scans and EMG tracings can assess the degree of damage if improvement is not seen. Luckily, most facial palsies resolve spontaneously without treatment. However, for those that do not self heal; there is treatment available in the form of osteopathic manipulation, which helps to bring back movement. Other treatments include facial retraining, massage and heat treatments and surgery may be possible.
The team of specialist medical negligence solicitors at Chadwick Lawrence is led by Tony May, a specialist birth injury and cerebral palsy solicitor with particular expertise in Cerebral Palsy claims, Erb’s Palsy claims and other birth related injury compensation cases. He has an excellent record in high value and complex cases, many resulting in multi-million pound settlements. Tony has over 20 years experience in dealing with cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of negligent care and management before, during or following birth. He continues to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims and after settlement he provides ongoing support as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of his cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients.
Tony can be contacted by email on anthonymay@chadlaw.co.uk or by telephone on 01484 519999. Alternatively, you could call our team on the freephone number below.Our dedicated team of specialist clinical negligence, birth injury and cerebral palsy solicitors deal with claims countrywide and claims for Facial Palsy. We are based at our Huddersfield office but can visit you in your home or in hospital if you are unable to attend at one of our West Yorkshire offices. If you believe that your child or a member of your family may have sustained a birth injury such as cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy as a result of medical negligence and/or negligence by a midwife, please contact our specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no-win-no-fee lawyers for free legal advice.
Contact Chadwick Lawrence for free legal advice on FREE PHONE 0800 304 7382 or email: anthonymay@chadlaw.co.uk