Childbirth Bowel Injury and Claiming Compensation for Medical Negligence.
Suffering a severe bowel injury during vaginal childbirth can be surprising, highly distressing and significantly disabling. If medical professionals failed to provide competent care, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Childbirth bowel injury
An injury affecting the function of the bowel can occur when a baby is delivered via the vagina due to the pressure on the perineal region. A tear can commence at the vagina and, if the new mother is extremely unfortunate, it can make its way across the perineum, through the anal sphincter muscles and into the lining of the anal canal.
This appalling and severe injury, often referred to as 3rd or 4th degree tears, can reduce a woman's ability to control the passing of wind and faeces. Her anal sphincter muscles work in combination to control these human processes but if the muscles are damaged, they cannot function effectively. If the anal lining is damaged, the woman may even develop a fistula which allows wind and faecal matter to pass into the vagina from the rectum.
These are serious injuries which require prompt, knowledgeable and skilled medical attention both in terms of diagnosis and repair.
Medical negligence in childbirth tears
Medical professionals may be regarded as having been negligent in the following circumstances:
- if a thorough examination of the new mother was not carried out following the birth of her baby. This procedure should include a digital rectal examination. Without this, damage to the anal sphincter and anal lining will not be diagnosed or repaired
- if medical professionals fail to identify injury to the anal sphincter
- if medical professionals misdiagnose damage to the anal sphincter such as identifying a 3c tear as a 3a tear which causes lesser, although still significant, damage
Claiming compensation
If negligence on the part of maternity professionals has left a woman suffering with the shocking symptoms of a 3rd or 4thdegree tear when a more acceptable level of care would have ensured a repair of her injury, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
A successful claim will take account of the financial consequences of the negligence and the associated symptoms such as a loss of earnings and the costs of care, equipment and specialist treatment.
Medical negligence solicitors
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced solicitors and extensive expertise in birth tear claims.
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 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.
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