Can I Get Compensation for Wind Incontinence after Childbirth?
If you are suffering wind incontinence following childbirth, you may be finding it difficult to work. If this is the case and your incontinence is due to an undiagnosed childbirth tear, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Wind incontinence after childbirth
Wind incontinence following childbirth can be mild or severe. If you are experiencing uncontrolled and debilitating wind incontinence, it may be that you suffered a severe tear during the birth of your baby which has not been repaired. This may be because it was not diagnosed accurately at the time of the birth.
A severe tear, also known as either a 3rd or 4th degree tear according to its severity, damages the muscles (anal sphincter) which control the bowel and can cause a woman to lose the ability to control the passing of wind.
Not only is this embarrassing but it can limit the areas of employment open to a woman. Working in a public environment such as a school, a shop or in the hospitality sector may not be possible. This situation may significantly reduce a woman's capacity to earn and may justify a claim for compensation.
Diagnosing childbirth tears
Damage to the anal sphincter is most likely to happen during a first-time birth, where the baby is large, or when a forceps delivery is considered necessary.
It is essential that a woman who has given birth vaginally undergoes a thorough examination of her perineum after the birth of her child in order to check for any damage.
Anal sphincter damage is a serious injury and requires a prompt and skilled repair by a surgeon in an operating theatre.
If an accurate diagnosis is not made, an effective repair is unlikely to be achieved and the woman may be left with distressing symptoms. A woman with an unrepaired severe birth tear is likely to be experiencing incontinence of faeces as well as wind which may make her situation even harder to cope with.
Speak to a solicitor
If you are struggling to cope with the effects of a severe birth tear due to a failure by your medical professionals to diagnose and repair your tear, contact Glynns today.
We have supported numerous women in making claims for the appalling symptoms they suffer and the negative impact on their lifestyle. One of our specialist medical negligence solicitors will be happy to discuss your situation with you and suggest the best way forward.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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