Facial paralysis is a profoundly serious and life-altering injury that can occur as a result of trauma in a California personal injury case. If you’ve developed facial paralysis due to someone else’s negligence — such as in a car accident, fall, assault, or medical malpractice incident — you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, emotional suffering, and loss of quality of life.
🧠 What Is Facial Paralysis?
Facial paralysis is the loss of voluntary muscle movement in the face, usually caused by damage to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). It can affect one side of the face (unilateral) or both (bilateral), and may be temporary or permanent.
Common symptoms:
- Drooping of the mouth or eyelid
- Inability to smile, frown, or make facial expressions
- Difficulty closing the eye
- Loss of taste on part of the tongue
- Dry eye or excessive tearing
- Slurred speech
- Psychological effects: anxiety, depression, social withdrawal
🔍 Common Causes in Personal Injury Cases
Facial paralysis can result from:
🚗 Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Blunt force trauma to the head or face
- Skull fractures affecting the temporal bone or facial nerve
🏥 Medical Malpractice
- Errors during dental surgery, cosmetic surgery, or tumor removal
- Failure to diagnose/treat conditions like Bell’s palsy, infections, or tumors
🧠 Brain Trauma
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affecting the facial nerve centers
⚖️ Legal Elements in a California Personal Injury Case
To succeed in your claim, you must prove that:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty (negligence, recklessness, etc.)
- Their actions caused your injury
- You suffered compensable damages
Facial paralysis cases often qualify as catastrophic injuries in California due to their permanent and visible impact, affecting a person’s identity, communication, and emotional well-being.
💰 Damages You Can Recover
🔹 Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: ER, surgeries, neurology, physical therapy, facial reanimation
- Future medical care: Reconstructive procedures, nerve repair, Botox treatments, therapy
- Lost wages: Missed work or reduced ability to work
- Loss of future earning capacity
🔹 Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress: depression, anxiety, PTSD
- Disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium: for spouses/partners
🔹 Punitive Damages
Available in cases of gross negligence or intentional harm (e.g., assault, DUI crashes)
🧾 Proving Facial Paralysis in a Personal Injury Claim
Because the consequences are both visible and medically documentable, proving facial paralysis is often more straightforward than other “invisible injuries,” but it still requires a strong foundation of evidence:
✅ Important Documentation:
- Medical records from neurologists, ENTs, or plastic surgeons
- Imaging: MRI, CT scans of the head and facial nerves
- Photos and videos showing facial movement limitations
- Specialist evaluations: Electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies
- Witness statements about your life before and after the injury
👨⚖️ Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Facial paralysis cases often involve complex causation, specialized medical treatment, and significant long-term damages. A personal injury attorney in California can help:
- Gather medical and expert evidence
- Handle insurance negotiations or prepare for trial
- Maximize your recovery by highlighting emotional and visual impact
- Manage deadlines and procedural requirements
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].