Assisted Deliveries and Anal Damage: Making a Claim
An assisted delivery can increase your risk of a severe birth tear. A failure to diagnose and repair can prompt a claim for compensation.
Assisted delivery damage
Severe 3rd and 4th degree tears occur due to the pressure exerted on the vagina and perineum during the birth of a baby. In a minority of cases, the tear extends across the perineum and additionally damages the anal sphincter muscles controlling the bowel.
An assisted delivery puts greater pressure on the perineum through the use of either forceps or a ventouse. Both are associated with an increased risk of the mother suffering a severe tear.
A severe tear may damage only the external sphincter but it can also damage both the internal sphincter and the lining of the anal canal. The long-term effects can be devastating unless the woman receives prompt treatment.
Medical care of maternal birth tears
All women who have given birth through the vagina should be carefully examined after the birth but it is particularly important if the new mother, for any reason, is at a greater than average risk of suffering a severe tear. Having experienced an instrumental or assisted delivery is one such risk factor and should ensure that every care is taken to identify any resulting damage.
Medical professionals who fail to provide a suitable standard of care, leaving the new mother with undiagnosed damage, may be regarded as negligent.
If the woman suffers on-going bowel problems as a result of the failure in care, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
A successful claim can address any financial losses caused by the negligence, such as loss of income if a woman is no longer able to work in the same way or to the same extent as prior to her baby's birth.
A successful claim can sometimes also help to alleviate some of the psychological distress caused by the effects of the unrepaired damage.
Speak to a medical negligence solicitor
Compensation claims for medical negligence are extremely complex and require the skills of a specialist solicitor.
If you or a loved one are struggling with the long-term impact of poor-quality medical care, contact Glynns Solicitors to talk to a specialist lawyer about the suitability of making a claim for compensation.
Contact us today to talk to a specialist solicitor about the possibility 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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