Bowel Tear Missed in Childbirth and When to Claim Compensation.
A tear to the anal muscles during vaginal childbirth can leave the new mother suffering appalling bowel symptoms. It may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Responding to a severe perineal tear
Losing control of one's bowel movements is a distressing experience and not one which would normally be associated with giving birth. Unfortunately, however, this shocking outcome occurs all too frequently and, where negligent medical care has played a role, it should be possible to get compensation for the consequences.
Around 5% of women who give birth through the vagina end up with an injury to the anal sphincter. This means that the muscles around the anus which help to control the passing of wind and faeces are damaged, leaving the new mother struggling with disabling and embarrassing symptoms.
These injuries need to be repaired shortly after the birth of the baby, in an operating theatre, by an experienced and appropriately-skilled surgeon, ensuring that the entirety of the tear is repaired.
Diagnosing 3rd & 4th degree tears
Before this can happen, however, the tear needs to be accurately diagnosed and this is where medical negligence occasionally occurs.
- All women giving birth through the vagina need to be examined following the birth. If this does not include a digital rectal examination (where a gloved finger is inserted into the anus), a tear to the anal sphincter is unlikely to be identified. Consequently, it will not be repaired.
- Once an injury to the anal sphincter has been observed, it is essential that it is correctly classified. Severe perineal tears can vary in extent and the precise nature of the tear needs to be diagnosed in order to ensure that a full repair takes place rather than a partial repair, leaving some of the injury unresolved. Third degree tears need to be identified as either a 3a, 3b or 3c tear and, where the tear continues into the anal canal, a diagnosis of a 4th degree tear is necessary.
A failure to carry out an adequate examination or a misdiagnosis of an anal sphincter injury may be regarded as negligent medical care.
If the new mother suffers on-going bowel symptoms as a result of the negligence, it may be possible to claim compensation for the impact on her quality of life and income.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in anal sphincter injury negligence claims and a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the appalling injuries.
This specialisation ensures that we have the skills ready and waiting to help you in the most efficient and economical way.
It also means that we can offer No Win No Fee funding for medical negligence claims 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.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
