Childbirth Anal Injury Compensation for Negligent Care
Negligent care of a maternity birth tear may justify a claim for compensation. Speak to a specialist solicitor.
Childbirth anal injuries
According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, all women who have given birth through the vagina should undergo a thorough examination, including a digital rectal examination following the birth of their baby.
The purpose of this is to ensure that, if the woman has suffered a perineal tear during the delivery of her baby, it is diagnosed and repaired appropriately.
Perineal tears are a risk of vaginal childbirth but, for a minority of women, the tears can be particularly severe, extending into the anal muscles and affecting anal function.
1st and 2nd degree tears may resolve fairly promptly but 3rd and 4th degree tears need to be repaired in an operating theatre by an experienced surgeon, ensuring a full and effective repair.
Certain categories of women, including those who have required an instrumental delivery and those of Asian heritage, are more susceptible to these severe injuries.
Negligent maternity care
Negligent maternity care can mean that a severe tear remains undiagnosed and unrepaired, leaving the new mother to suffer permanent and possibly worsening bowel problems.
Negligent or substandard care can include the following:
- A failure to carry out an examination
- A failure to identify that an injury has occurred to the anal muscles
- A misdiagnosis of an anal sphincter injury
- A failure to repair a 3rd or 4th degree tear fully and effectively
Claiming compensation
Where negligent or substandard care is identified, a successful compensation claim will address the financial consequences. This may include a loss of income if the new mother is now struggling to work due to the difficulties caused by her bowel symptoms such as loss of control of the passing of wind and faeces. She may have to change career or may only be able to work part-time because of the difficulties of managing her bowel problems.
Free initial claim assessment
Think medical treatment may have caused avoidable harm?
Tell our specialist medical negligence team what happened. We will review the initial information and explain whether we may be able to help.
- Tell us what treatment you received and what you believe went wrong
- We assess the initial circumstances
- We explain whether further investigation may be appropriate
Your initial enquiry is free. No Win No Fee funding may be available.
What happens when you contact us?
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1
Tell us what happened
Call us or complete the short enquiry form with a brief outline of the treatment you received and the harm caused.
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2
We assess the circumstances
A member of our specialist team will review the initial details and may ask you for some further information.
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3
We explain your options
We will explain whether we may be able to help, the possible next steps and any funding options relevant to your enquiry.
Worried about making a claim?
“Taking on the NHS is a daunting business… I was always treated with patience and understanding… helped to put my mind at rest.”
The psychological impact can also be debilitating and some women struggle to leave their home because of their fear of suffering bowel accidents whilst away from toilet facilities.
If the woman affected needs specialist treatment to help her to manage her symptoms or specialist equipment, the associated costs would be included in her compensation claim.
Free legal advice
Glynns Solicitors is a specialist medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced solicitors and extensive expertise in severe birth tear claims.
Contact us today to talk to a friendly solicitor, free of charge, about what has happened to you and the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
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 free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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