Compensating Negligent Obstetric Anal Injuries
Substandard medical care of an obstetric anal injury can cause distressing and disabling symptoms as well as causing considerable financial losses. A successful compensation claim may help to address some of these problems.
What is an obstetric anal injury?
An obstetric anal injury is damage caused during childbirth to the muscles which control the bowel. Approximately 5% of women suffer a severe birth tear during vagina childbirth, otherwise known as 3rd or 4th degree tears. Such injuries start at the vagina and travel across the perineum, eventually cutting into the anal sphincter. These muscles, both external and internal work together to enable and, when necessary, prevent the passing of wind and faeces. A severe birth tear may damage only the external muscle but can also tear the internal muscle and, in the case of a 4th degree tear, cause injury to the internal lining of the anal canal.
Injuries such as these require prompt and accurate diagnosis followed by skilful surgery to bring about recovery. If either diagnosis or repair are inadequate, the new mother can find that she develops the following permanent symptoms:
- Inability to prevent the passing of wind
- Inability to prevent the passing of faeces
- Infections of the perineum
- Discomfort in the perineum
Obstetric Anal Injury Negligence
The guidelines of the Royal College of obstetricians and Gynaecologists state that all women who have experienced vaginal childbirth should undergo a thorough perineal examination, including a digital rectal examination of the anus shortly after the birth. If this does not take place, the relevant medical professionals would be regarded as negligent.
If such an examination does take place but the diagnosis is inaccurate, perhaps diagnosing a 2nd degree tear instead of a 3c tear, again the medical professional may be regarded as having provided a substandard level of care.
If a new mother is given a timely and accurate diagnosis of her perineal and anal injury, but the quality of her surgical repair is inadequate and she continues to suffer symptoms, the medical professional responsible for her care may be considered as negligent.
Consult a specialist lawyer
If you are struggling with the appalling symptoms of an obstetric anal injury due to poor-quality medical care, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation. This would be able to address any financial losses you may have suffered due to your poor care, such as income loss.
However, medical negligence is a complex area of law and requires the skills of a specialist. Here at Glynns, we have supported numerous women in making highly-successful claims for the impact of poor medical care following childbirth.
Contact us today to speak with one of our specialist solicitors.
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