Claiming Compensation for a Negligent First Birth Maternal Injury
If you have suffered a severe birth tear during the delivery of your first child and are still experiencing life-changing symptoms, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Severe maternal birth tears
The most important thing to know when you have given birth is that your baby is healthy. You can then look forward to getting home and spending time bonding with your new-born. Occasionally, however, the picture is not as positive as that and the new mother has suffered an injury to her perineum and anus which can have long-term effects.
Unfortunately, first time mothers are at a particular risk of suffering a severe birth tear. Severe birth tears are also referred to as third or fourth degree tears and cause damage to the anal sphincter. If these muscles are not repaired as soon as possible, they will affect the function of the bowel and your ability to control the passing of wind and faeces.
If such appalling symptoms are allowed to continue, the knock-on effects can be extremely distressing, limiting a woman's confidence and ability to work, socialise and care for her child.
Negligent medical care
Negligent perineal care of a first time mother can occur in a number of ways:
- The examination necessary to identify any perineal or anal damage does not take place
- An examination takes place but the damage to the anus is not noticed
- An injury to the anal sphincter is identified but is misdiagnosed such as recording that a woman has suffered a 3a tear when in fact she has suffered the more severe 3c tear
- The injury is diagnosed and repaired but the quality of the repair is poor and it breaks down, or the full injury is not repaired allowing symptoms to continue
It is thought that the number of occurrences of severe birth tears during vaginal childbirth in the UK is increasing and so it is vital that every care is taken to ensure their diagnosis and repair is carried out.
If a woman is left with permanent and disabling symptoms due to poor-quality medical care, however, she is entitled to make a claim for compensation. If, for example, she is unable to work, a compensation claim would address this financial loss.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are struggling with the appalling effects of a severe birth tear due to substandard medical care, contact Glynns Solicitors.
We are a dedicated medical negligence legal practice and one of our team of experienced solicitors will be very happy to talk to you about the suitability of making a claim.
Contact us today to talk to a specialist solicitor about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
