3rd Degree Tear Anal Damage and How to Claim Compensation
Disabling anal muscle damage during childbirth can change a woman's life. Contact a solicitor if medical professionals have provided inadequate care.
3rd degree anal damage
Damage to the anal sphincter, the muscles around the anus, during vaginal childbirth requires competent medical attention.
In the first place, a digital rectal examination is required, in order to assess and anal damage. Where appropriate, this should lead to an accurate diagnosis. Third degree tears vary in extent and it is essential that, where a tear has occurred, a medical professional makes the correct diagnosis.
A 3a tear only damages up to 50% of the external anal sphincter. A 3b tear causes damage to more than 50% of the external sphincter. Finally, a 3c tear additionally damages the internal anal sphincter. It is crucial that the correct diagnosis is made. If a 3c tear is diagnosed incorrectly as a 3a tear, it is possible that the new mother will only receive a partial repair and will suffer distressing debilitating bowel symptoms as a result.
Secondly, the repair, if necessary, should be both effective and comprehensive. If it is inadequate or only partial and the new mother continues to suffer bowel problems, the relevant medical professional may be regarded as having been negligent in the quality of their care.
Negligent childbirth tear care
Maternity professionals attendant at the birth of the baby may be regarded as having been negligent in their care of the new mother in the following ways:
- A failure to examine
- A failure to diagnose
- A misdiagnosis
- A failure of repair
All of these can leave a new mother struggling with the appalling symptoms of a 3rd degree tear such as incontinence or leakage of both wind and faeces. Such appalling symptoms can be detrimental to both the physical and psychological health of the new mother. It can leave her struggling to work and facing a loss of both income and confidence.
Some women in this unfortunate situation struggle to leave the home due to their embarrassing symptoms.
If this distressing outcome is due to negligent care, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Speak to a legal specialist
Due to years of experience in severe birth tear claims, here at Glynns we fully understand the distress, difficulties with work and social isolation which can result from an unrepaired 3rd degree tear. If you suspect that you may be in a position to make a claim, contact us to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about your situation and how to move forward.
We can offer No Win No Fee medical negligence funding which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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