3rd Degree Tear Misdiagnosed and Unrepaired - How to Make a Claim
Inadequate maternity care of a 3rd degree tear may well lead to incontinence issues and justify a claim for compensation.
Third degree tear negligence
When a woman has just given birth to a baby through the vagina, it is essential that she undergoes a digital rectal examination for a very good reason. Vaginal births represent a risk to the mother of damage to the muscles around the anus and an examination is the only way to identify whether or not this has occurred. Where an injury has occurred, an accurate diagnosis is crucial.
Errors do sometimes occur which leave the new mother without an accurate diagnosis of her 3rd degree tear and can include the following:
- May be misdiagnosed as a lesser 3rd degree tear such as a 3c being diagnosed as a 3a
- 3rd degree tear being missed completely
- 3rd degree tear misdiagnosed as a 2nd degree tear
Whatever the scenario, the injury to the anal sphincter will remain either fully or partially unrepaired and the new mother will suffer bowel problems which would not have been the case had the diagnosis been accurate and the injury repaired.
Depending on the extent of the injury, those symptoms may include urgency, incontinence of wind and faecal leakage.
Claiming compensation for the financial impact
Symptoms of incontinence of wind and faeces can fundamentally undermine a woman's quality of life, her self-confidence and her ability to work.
The financial consequences can be significant, especially if she can now only manage reduced working hours or is no longer able to pursue her career due to her symptoms and has to accept lower paid employment.
She may additionally require specialist treatment or equipment in order to manage her symptoms.
Where it is found that the negligent actions of her maternity professionals have led to this situation, a successful compensation claim will take account of those financial losses both past and future.
Speak to a legal specialist
Here at Glynns Solicitors we speak to women who are struggling with the impact of maternity negligence on a daily basis.
As specialists in medical negligence law, and with many years' experience in these complex and sensitive claims, we can offer a wealth of expertise and understanding.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about your situation and the possibility of making a claim.
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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