Medical Malpractice
Our birth injury lawyers handle subconjunctival hemorrhage lawsuits. A subconjunctival hemorrhage rarely causes serious injuries. But it can be a marker for other more serious birth injuries. Our attorneys discuss on this page subconjunctival hemorrhage duration, treatment, and how these cases can become birth injury lawsuits.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is bleeding underneath the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye). This part of the eye has many small, fragile blood vessels that are easily ruptured or broken. When this happens, blood leaks into the space between the mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye (conjunctiva) and the white outer layer of the eyeball (sclera). A bruise often forms, appearing black or blue beneath the skin.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage initially appears bright red underneath the transparent conjunctiva. Later, the hemorrhage may spread and become green or yellow, like a bruise. Subconjunctival hemorrhages are common and self-resolving. Usually, any bruising disappears within two weeks to a month. Subconjunctival hemorrhages do not threaten vision.
When our birth injury lawyers look at medical malpractice cases involving a subconjunctival hemorrhage, it is very unlikely that the eye bleed is the focus of the case. Instead, the hemorrhage is a marker for other more serious birth injuries.
If you experienced a difficult or traumatic delivery and believe your baby may have suffered a birth injury as a consequence, contact our lawyers at Miller & Zois for help. Call us at 800-553-8082 today or get a free online consultation.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
An infant subconjunctival hemorrhage is bleeding underneath the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye (the sclera). It often looks dramatic — a bright red patch on the white of the eye — but in many situations it is harmless and resolves on its own within one to two weeks.
In newborns, subconjunctival hemorrhages are relatively common and can occur during vaginal delivery due to pressure changes as the baby passes through the birth canal. In those cases, they are usually benign and not associated with long-term injury.
However, context matters.
In some birth injury and child abuse cases, subconjunctival hemorrhages can be a clinical marker of more significant trauma, particularly when they appear alongside:
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Retinal hemorrhages
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Facial bruising or contusions
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Skull fractures
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Intracranial bleeding
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Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
In delivery-related malpractice cases, plaintiffs sometimes argue that subconjunctival hemorrhages were an early sign of excessive traction, improper use of forceps or vacuum, or unmanaged shoulder dystocia. In abusive head trauma cases, they may be cited as part of a broader pattern of injury.
Standing alone, a subconjunctival hemorrhage is usually minor. But when combined with neurological symptoms or other physical findings, it can be an important piece of the medical puzzle.
What Causes an Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is bleeding beneath the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye. In adults, it usually happens after coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or any sudden spike in pressure. In newborns, an infant subconjunctival hemorrhage most often occurs during labor.
We have seen cases where a subconjunctival hemorrhage in a newborn presentation shows up after a long, difficult vaginal delivery. Strong, prolonged contractions increase pressure in the baby’s head and neck as the infant passes through the birth canal. That pressure alone can cause small blood vessels in the eye to rupture. When this happens in isolation, it is a common birth injury, but a subconjunctival hemorrhage usually resolves on its own without lasting harm.
But that is not always the full story.
In our experience looking at birth injury cases, a subconjunctival hemorrhage in an infant can also be a red flag for something more serious. When forceps or a vacuum extractor are used aggressively, or when excessive lateral traction is applied during a shoulder dystocia, the external signs may include facial bruising, swelling, and bleeding in the eyes. An infant subconjunctival hemorrhage in that setting is not just a cosmetic issue. It can be evidence of birth trauma caused by excessive force.
Parents often are worried about what they see in their baby’s eyes. Sometimes they describe yellow under the eyes, yellow veins in the eyes, yellow stuff in the eye, or a slight yellowing of the eyes in the corner. That yellow discoloration, including a yellow conjunctiva or yellow marks on the eyeballs, is usually related to jaundice and not bleeding. But when the eye appears bright red due to a hemorrhage, especially after a difficult delivery, it warrants careful evaluation.
Most cases of subconjunctival hemorrhage heal without complication. The concern arises when it appears alongside other signs of trauma or neurological injury. In those situations, it may be a marker of deeper harm. When families suspect that excessive force or poor decision making during delivery played a role, speaking with a birth trauma attorney or an infant subconjunctival hemorrhage lawyer can help determine whether the injury was unavoidable or the result of preventable medical negligence.
Diagnosis of Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Diagnosing a subconjunctival hemorrhage is often made based on visual observation of the eye by the doctor. Additional testing is not typically necessary; however, the baby’s blood pressure may be taken and monitored as a precaution.
Infant Subconjunctival Hemorrhages Can Be a Symptom of More Serious Trauma
Although a subconjunctival hemorrhage is not a serious injury by itself, it is an indication that the baby’s skull was subject to significant pressure during childbirth. Sometimes, a subconjunctival hemorrhage may just be the most visible symptom of intracranial pressure or other more dangerous underlying conditions during childbirth.
These intracranial pressures can be the source of more traumatic birth injuries such as cerebral palsy. Subconjunctival hemorrhages often warrant further observation and testing to evaluate whether a baby has additional injuries. If doctors used forceps or other birth assistance tools during the delivery, a subconjunctival hemorrhage should be a cause for concern and may warrant further examination.
How Are Subconjunctival Hemorrhages Treated?
In most cases, a subconjunctival hemorrhage treatment is unnecessary. The duration of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is typically short. The hemorrhage will typically clear up and heal on its own within a few weeks.
Artificial tear solutions are sometimes recommended to alleviate discomfort. In very rare cases, a subconjunctival hemorrhage can lead to more serious eye damage. So a doctor needs to monitor the condition as it heals.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Settlements and Verdicts
Below are summaries of reported settlements and verdicts in cases in which subconjunctival hemorrhage was involved in connection with other, more serious birth injuries. The number of verdicts and settlements is limited simply because subconjunctival hemorrhage is normally just the starting point of more serious birth injuries that end up getting discussed in the case.
- Anonymous v. Hospital (Illinois 2022) $8,500,000 Verdict: A newborn was delivered after prolonged labor with documented fetal distress. At birth, the baby had bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhages, facial bruising, and low Apgar scores. Imaging later revealed hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and permanent brain injury. The parents alleged that the medical team failed to timely perform a cesarean section and used excessive traction during delivery. The jury returned an $8.5 million verdict.
- Anonymous v. Medical Center (Pennsylvania 2021) $4,750,000 Settlement: During a complicated shoulder dystocia delivery, the infant was born with facial contusions, subconjunctival hemorrhages, and a brachial plexus injury. The lawsuit alleged excessive lateral traction and failure to follow established shoulder dystocia protocols. The defendants denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle for $4.75 million before trial.
- J.Y., Pro Ami v. Wenzel (Missouri 2019) $20,000: A 3-month-old boy came under a babysitter’s care. The babysitter shook and dropped him. The boy suffered respiratory arrest, infant subconjunctival hemorrhaging, and an intracranial hematoma. His mother alleged gross negligence against the babysitter.
- Anonymous v. Obstetrics Group (California 2019) $3,200,000 Settlement: A vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery resulted in scalp trauma, bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhages, and later diagnosed intracranial bleeding. The parents alleged improper use of the vacuum extractor and failure to convert to cesarean delivery when complications arose. The case resolved in a $3.2 million settlement.he claimed she provided substandard care. This case settled for $20,000.
- Anonymous v. Hospital (New York 2018) $1,900,000 Settlement: An infant delivered with forceps assistance was born with subconjunctival hemorrhages and extensive facial bruising. Developmental delays and motor impairment were later diagnosed. The plaintiffs claimed excessive force and improper instrument use during delivery. The hospital denied liability but settled for $1.9 million.
- Anonymous v. Medical Providers (Florida 2017) $2,600,000 Verdict: After a difficult labor, a newborn presented with subconjunctival hemorrhages, retinal hemorrhages, and intracranial bleeding. The lawsuit alleged negligent labor management and delayed intervention in the presence of fetal distress. A jury awarded $2.6 million in damages.
- Morales v. Bronx-Lebanon Hosp. (New York 2014) $156,800: In this case, the baby’s subconjunctival hemorrhages and facial bruising turned out to be indications of more significant neurological birth injuries. Plaintiff’s birth injury lawyer alleged that doctors and the hospital were negligent in their management and handling of stressful labor and delivery. The alleged long-term injuries were limited, and the claims were settled for $156,820. Given the amount of the settlement, you can assume either the injuries were not significant or the plaintiff’s attorneys believed they would have had an impossible time proving the case at trial.
- Jenkins v. Botsford General Hosp. (Michigan 2013) $125,000: Baby was born with a host of physical injuries, including subconjunctival hemorrhages and facial contusions, which were allegedly evidence of trauma that ultimately caused a brachial plexus injury. The hospital was accused of failing to provide adequately trained staff and the doctor was accused of using excessive force with lateral traction in his efforts to facilitate delivery. So again, you see an example of the hemorrhage being a marker for a more significant injury. The defendants contested liability but agreed to settle the case for $125,000.
Contact Miller & Zois About Birth Injuries
Birth-related injuries such as infant subconjunctival hemorrhages can often be the first indication of more serious physical and neurologic injuries to a baby.
If you experienced a difficult or traumatic delivery and think your baby may have suffered a birth injury as a result, contact the birth injury lawyers at Miller & Zois for help. We can fully investigate your case at no charge and let you know whether medical malpractice occurred. Call us at 800-553-8082 today or get a free online consultation.