Anal Disability and Compensation for Severe Tears in Vaginal Childbirth
Permanent anal disability can cause physical and emotional difficulties and may justify a claim for compensation if medical professionals have failed in the quality of their care.
Severe childbirth tears
Tears around the vagina are a common risk of vaginal childbirth. Severe tears which cause injury beyond the perineum are much more rare, affecting around only 5% of women who give birth this way. However, they cause a serious injury which, without prompt and highly-competent medical care, can leave the new mother with extremely distressing and debilitating bowel problems.
These injuries are referred to as 3rd and 4th degree tears depending on their extent but they all damage the anal sphincter and all have the capacity to reduce a woman's control of the passing of wind and faeces.
The long-term implications of negligence medical care in relation to these severe injuries can be shocking.
A formerly fit and healthy woman may struggle to work, to travel, to support her child and even to leave the home. The practical adaptations to one's lifestyle in order to manage one's bowel problems can become time-consuming and extremely stressful and the psychological damage can be significant. She may require additional treatment and emotional support. She may suffer a dramatic loss of income if she is now restricted in the type of work or hours of work which she can manage.
Medical care and medical negligence
As a known risk of vaginal childbirth, it is essential that medical [professionals attending the birth ensure that any damage is identified and competently and effectively repaired. If those practitioners fail in their duty of care to the new mother, they may be regarded as negligent and, if the woman suffers long-term physical and financial losses as a result, it should be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Failures of examination, symptom recognition, diagnosis and repair may all be considered as negligent.
If a new mother finds that she is continuing to suffer bowel problems after the birth of the baby, it is possible that she has an undiagnosed severe birth tear.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns is a dedicated medical negligence specialist with extensive experience in supporting compensation claims for negligent medical care of 3rd and 4th degree tears.
Our solicitors can offer a depth of understanding of the physical, practical and psychological impact of these highly-distressing injuries and can provide the expertise to pursue the best settlement.
Contact us today to speak with 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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