New York Horner Syndrome

Horner Syndrome is a nerve problem related to the nerves that travel from the brain to the face. It affects only one side of the face. Babies who suffer from Horner Syndrome have decreased pupil size, lighter iris color, and drooping eyelid. It is typically caused by damage to the neck or shoulders during labor and delivery, but can also be caused by a stroke, tumor, or spinal cord injury. If your baby suffers from Horner Syndrome, and you believe that it was the result of negligence on the part of your obstetrician or another medical professional, contact a New York Horner Syndrome lawyer to review your case in order to determine if medical negligence led to your baby’s injury.

In babies Horner Syndrome is typically caused by an injury to the baby during a difficult vaginal delivery. For example, in cases where the delivery is prolonged the obstetrician may opt to use forceps to manage the delivery. Negligent use of forceps can lead to Horner Syndrome.

The classic symptoms of Horner Syndrome affect only one side of the face and include drooping of the eyelid, smaller pupil size, and decreased sweating. While these symptoms are fairly evident from a physical examination of the baby, there are diagnostic tests to confirm a Horner Syndrome diagnosis. The tests include a paradrine test, a cocaine eyedrop test, or a dilation lag test.

While in some cases the symptoms caused by Horner Syndrome improve without treatment, medication or surgery may be required. However, depending on the severity of the symptoms, some victims may suffer lifelong impairment from nerve damage related to Horner Syndrome. The quicker the diagnosis, the better the chance that treatment will be effective.

Horner Syndrome is almost always the result of a botched vaginal delivery, where the baby has a difficult time descending through the birth canal. This can be due to the large size of the baby, the small pelvis of the mother, or it can be due to other indicators that a vaginal delivery may be risky. As a Horner Syndrome attorney in New York will explain, in order to proof that your child’s injury was due to negligence, you must be able to show that your doctor deviated from normal standards in managing your child’s delivery. For example, if there was evidence that your child was more than 9 pounds due to gestational diabetes, or due to measurements taken, yet your obstetrician chose a vaginal delivery, then that may be evidence of medical negligence.

If you believe that your child’s Horner Syndrome could have been avoided had your doctor not been negligent, with the help of an experienced New York Horner Syndrome lawyer you can demand payment for injuries that your child suffered. Damages may include payment for all of your child’s medical bills related to the Horner Syndrome injury.

We understand how difficult it is for parents to find out that their baby has a birth injury such as Horner Syndrome. It is even more difficult to learn that the injury was preventable, and was caused by medical negligence. If your baby suffered nerve damage to the face because the medical staff was negligent, it is important that you are represented by a Horner Syndrome attorney serving New York who has the knowledge, experience, and resources to stand up to the negligent medical staff and effectively advocate for your right to compensation. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates has the experience, knowledge, and resources to help. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.