What Does Horner’s Syndrome Indicate?

Horner’s syndrome indicates that there was an injury or condition that caused damage to the nerve pathways that connect certain areas of the brain and the affected eye and nearby areas of the face. Further information is needed to know what caused this damage.

Sometimes, the signs of Horner’s syndrome in babies or infants can indicate a birth injury. It can also be caused by other conditions, including cancer. A doctor will need to perform an evaluation and possible run tests on a child to determine the cause of their Horner’s syndrome.

Horner’s Syndrome May Be a Sign of Another Issue

Horner’s syndrome may occur as a result of a number of types of injuries and incidents. Some of them may support a birth injury lawsuit if a preventable injury occurred when a doctor and care team did not closely monitor the pregnancy, labor, and delivery and take necessary actions if there were signs of issues with the baby or mother.

Types of injuries that may cause Horner’s syndrome include:

• Traumatic injury to the neck or shoulder during birth
• Lack of oxygen or blood to the baby’s brain
• A stroke or brain bleed
• Injury to the carotid artery

Tumors on or near the brainstem or in other areas may also cause Horner’s syndrome. A childhood cancer, neuroblastoma, is a common cause of Horner’s syndrome in young children, so it is important to rule out this type of tumor or begin treatment quickly if necessary.

Getting a Horner’s Syndrome Diagnosis

Horner’s syndrome indicates that more testing is likely necessary to try to understand what caused the condition and to rule out more serious conditions that can cause these symptoms. A Horner’s syndrome diagnosis may be confirmed by an ophthalmologist who will conduct specific eye tests, including eye drop tests.

Once they confirm the signs of Horner’s syndrome, your child’s doctors may conduct a neurological exam and imaging tests to rule out tumors and determine if your child has any other neurological deficits. These tests may include:

• MRI
• Ultrasound
• CT scans
• X-ray
• Other tests

Your Child’s Diagnosis May Support a Birth Injury Claim

If you believe that a birth injury caused your child’s Horner’s syndrome and other symptoms, you may have a case against the doctor, clinic, or hospital that failed to protect them or caused their injuries through medical negligence. A birth injury attorney who practices medical malpractice law in your state may be able to help you understand:

• The process for filing a medical malpractice claim in your state
• The role of a medical expert witness in your case
• The time limits that apply to these cases in your state

A lawyer can also manage the legal work in your case, including the investigation, evidence gathering, communications, negotiations, and paperwork.

By building a case against the doctor or another responsible party in your child’s Horner’s syndrome, you may be able to recover compensation for your family that could include:

• Medical care costs for diagnosis and treatment
• Ongoing care and support as needed
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Other intangible losses

Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group Today

The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can help you with your child’s medical malpractice case today. We represent families nationwide in Horner’s syndrome lawsuits. We may be able to handle your case on a contingency-fee-basis, where we only get paid for our labor if and when you recover a payout in a settlement offer or court award.

Our responsive team can answer your questions and keep you updated about your case throughout our work together so you can focus your time and energy on your child’s wellbeing.

Because each state has its own deadline for filing birth injury lawsuits—known as a statute of limitations—it is important that you take legal action while there is still time. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can discuss what specifics deadlines pertain to your case when you call us for a free consultation.

To get started, call (800) 222-9529 today. You can speak to a representative of the Birth Injury Lawyers Group about your child’s injuries and the possibility that they were a victim of medical malpractice at no cost to you.