Compensating Disability and Distress after a Negligent Birth Tear
Speak to Glynns Solicitors if you are struggling with the symptoms of a 3rd or 4th degree tear due to negligent maternity care.
The disability and distress of a severe birth tear
A small minority of women experience a severe birth tear during vaginal childbirth. By this is meant an injury, often referred to as a 3rd or 4th degree tear, which causes damage to the muscles around the anus.
If these injuries are identified and competently repaired, the new mother should recover from her injury. As a known risk of childbirth, this outcome should be possible.
If the injury is not identified, however, and therefore no repair is undertaken, the new mother will leave hospital with damaged anal muscles and loss of control of the passing of wind and faeces.
The result is significant life-changing disability and distress.
If the injury is a 4th degree tear, the new mother may develop a fistula between the anus and the vagina and may even need a stoma to be fitted.
The broader impact
The practical implications of loss of bowel control in terms of managing one's symptoms and ensuring access to toilet facilities can sometimes feel overwhelming and all-consuming. The fear of bowel leakage can mean that some women become reluctant to leave their home, impacting their own loves and that of their baby.
The consequences for returning to work can be wide-ranging. Some forms of employment may now feel completely inaccessible such as hospitality, healthcare and education for example. Some women may have to abandon their career plans for a job which they feel enables them to manage their symptoms.
Dealing with their symptoms may mean that they can only work reduced hours, further compromising their employability and earning potential.
The new mother may need specialist equipment or treatment in order to try to better manage her symptoms as well as emotional support to help her to come to terms with what has happened.
Claiming compensation
If this shocking and unnecessary outcome is due to failings in maternity care following the birth of the baby, it may be possible to claim compensation which should address the consequences of the negligence, including any loss of earnings suffered or the costs of treatment or care.
Free legal advice
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with many years' experience of supporting claims for the impact of 3rd and 4th degree tears which have not received adequate care.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
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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