4th Degree Tear Medical Negligence Compensation Claims
Negligent medical care of a 4th degree tear can leave a woman with shocking bowel symptoms. It may also justify a claim for compensation.
What is a 4th degree tear?
A 4th degree tear is a form of anal injury which occasionally occurs during vaginal childbirth. Under the pressure of the birth, a woman may suffer a tear which commences at the vagina, extends across the perineum, through the external anal muscle and the internal anal muscle, also damaging the lining of the anal canal.
What are the consequences of an unrepaired 4th degree tear?
- If it remains unrepaired, a 4th degree tear will cause a woman to suffer loss of control of her bowel movements. This means losing the ability to prevent the passing of wind and faeces
- An unrepaired 4th degree tear can also lead to the development of a rectovaginal fistula, or passage, between the anus and the vagina, which allows leakage to occur from the vagina
- The consequences of a 4th degree tear can also include the need for a stoma to be fitted to provide bowel function
The ongoing impact of such a severe injury and such severe physical symptoms, can be utterly life-changing. It can affect a woman's ability to work, her willingness to leave her home and her emotional well-being. It can affect her relationship with her new-born child and her wider personal relationships.
When is a 4th degree tear negligent?
Medical negligence relating to a 4th degree tear may occur during the diagnosis and repair stage. If the new mother does not undergo a thorough post-natal examination, her injury may not be accurately diagnosed. Without a diagnosis, she will not undergo an effective repair and she will start to develop symptoms.
It is also possible that a woman may suffer a 4th degree tear because an episiotomy was not carried out prior to an instrumental delivery. If this is the case, the relevant medical professionals may be regarded as negligent.
When to claim compensation
If negligent medical care has left a new mother with a worse long-term outcome than should have been the case with competent care, she would be legally entitled to make a claim for compensation.
If the consequences of the negligent care have caused her to suffer significant financial losses, such as a loss of income, these losses can be included in a claim.
However, it is important to remember that claims for compensation for medical negligence must be initiated within three years of the date of the alleged negligence so, don't delay.
Speak to a legal specialist
Contact Glynns Solicitors if you have been the victim of negligent medical care. We are a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience of severe birth tear claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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