Anal Sphincter Injuries and Maternity Care Negligence
Substandard maternity care of women who have just given birth can lead to permanent bowel problems and may justify a claim for compensation.
Anal sphincter injuries in childbirth
Anal sphincter injuries occur to around 5% of women who give birth through the vagina. They are most common in first-time mothers, women of Asian ethnicity and women who have needed an instrumental delivery. Without prompt and efficient medical care, they can cause permanent bowel incontinence.
An anal sphincter injury during childbirth is a tear which commences at the vagina but extends to the muscles around the anus which control bowel movements. If your anal sphincter muscles are not working properly, it means that you may not be able to prevent the passing of wind and faeces. Normally, the external and internal muscles work in combination to prevent and allow defecation as appropriate. Without the functioning of these muscles, an individual can experience leakage and incontinence.
Medical care of anal sphincter injuries
To avoid a lifetime of bowel difficulties, it is essential that women who have just given birth undergo a thorough examination for any signs of anal damage. Surprisingly, this does not always happen, leaving the woman to suffer distressing symptoms.
The following failings in medical care following childbirth may be regarded as negligent and may, if the woman suffers long-term physical problems, justify a claim for compensation.
- A failure to carry out a thorough examination including a digital rectal examination, leading to a failure to diagnose a severe birth tear
- A misdiagnosis of a severe birth tear such as diagnosing a 3rd degree tear as a 2nd degree tear
- An inadequate repair of a severe birth tear, leaving the woman suffering bowel problems. Anal sphincter injuries require a surgical repair, carried out in an operating theatre by a skilled and experienced surgeon
Claiming compensation
If you are struggling with the appalling debilitating impact of anal sphincter dysfunction, contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
A successful compensation claim will take into account any losses caused by your negligent care such as loss of income if you are no longer able to work in your chosen employment or can only manage restricted hours.
Legal advice
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience of supporting claims for the impact of maternity care negligence.
Contact us today to talk to a specialist solicitor about your situation and the suitability of making a claim for compensation.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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