Childbirth Anal Sphincter Damage Compensation
Around 5% of women who give birth through the vagina suffer an injury to their anal sphincter, the muscles which control the bowel. This is not necessarily a sign of medical negligence. If the injury is not repaired, however, the relevant medical professionals may be regarded as having been negligent in their care.
The impact of a severe birth tear
The impact of an unrepaired anal sphincter injury can be pretty shocking. If these muscles are damaged, the woman can suffer a range of deeply distressing symptoms including the following:
- Extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet
- Inability to prevent the passing of wind
- Inability to prevent the passing of faeces
- Perineal infections
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse
The impact frequently goes way beyond just the physical and practical difficulties. The associated loss of confidence and fear of bowel accidents can lead a woman to become socially isolated as she is reluctant to leave the house.
The financial impact can also be significant if the woman affected is restricted in the type of work she is able to undertake as a result of her physical difficulties.
Compensation
If medical professionals are responsible either for the extent of the woman's injury or the failure to diagnose and repair the injury, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation. Where the relevant professionals are judged to have acted negligently, a successful claim can provide recompense for the woman's pain, suffering and financial losses associated with the effects of the negligence.
Aspects of negligence
Medical professionals might be considered to have contributed to the woman's on-going injury and its impact in the following circumstances:
- Where an instrumental delivery was undertaken but no episiotomy was carried out prior to the delivery
- Where an inappropriate episiotomy was carried out, contributing to the extent of the woman's perineal trauma
- Where no diagnosis of a severe, 3rd or 4th, degree tear was made
- Where no repair or a poor-quality repair was carried out, leaving the woman to suffer long-term debilitating symptoms
Legal advice
If you are struggling with the long-term and disabling effects of a severe birth tear due to failures by medical professionals during the birth of your baby, contact Glynns today to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
We have supported many women in making successful compensation claims for the quality and impact of their negligent maternity care and one of our specialist medical negligence solicitors will be very happy to discuss your experience with you.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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