Can I Get Compensation for a Birth Tear?

If you have suffered a severe birth tear, such as a 3^rd or 4^th degree tear, during childbirth which has not received competent medical care, you may be able to make a claim for compensation for the impact which your injury is having on your life.

Why a severe birth tear matters

If a woman suffers a 3^rd or 4^th degree tear during the birth of her baby, it needs to be comprehensively and correctly repaired.

Surprisingly, 3^rd and 4^th degree tears cause damage to the muscles around the anus which would normally allow control of the passing of wind and faeces.

If these muscles are damaged by a tear, their function becomes compromised to some degree. The greater the extent of the damage, the greater the loss of control of function is likely to be. 3a and 3b tears affect the external anal muscles whereas a 3c tear and a 4^th degree tear also damage the internal anal muscle and, in the case of a 4^th degree tear, the lining of the anal canal. This can lead to further damage in the form of a fistula and the possible need for a stoma.

The associated loss of bowel control can be dramatic, difficult to manage and extremely distressing.

If medical professionals have failed to diagnose or repair such an injury, talk to a specialist solicitor.

Claiming compensation

The way that compensation works for medical negligence is that it takes account of the damage which the negligence has done and identifies the impact which this has caused on the patient. In the case of severe birth tears, the injury can cause significant symptom management problems as well as reducing a woman’s capacity to work, to undertake a range of tasks and support her baby.

It can also cause severe emotional difficulties.

The associated financial losses, in terms of loss of income and the costs of treatment and equipment can be considerable.

It is important to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor if you are thinking of making a claim. This will ensure the most likely success of your claim and the best settlement level.

Free legal advice

Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced solicitors and many years’ experience of supporting women in making successful claims for birth tear negligence.

We can offer No Win No Fee medical negligence funding 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.

Start a free enquiry Call free: 0800 234 3300