Compensation for an Undiagnosed Severe Birth Tear
An undiagnosed birth tear can turn a woman's life upside-down. Her symptoms can affect her ability to work and have a significant financial and psychological impact. A compensation claim may be a helpful way forward.
Undiagnosed birth tears
We frequently work with clients who have received a misdiagnosis of their perineal birth injury. For example, they may have been told that they have suffered a 2nd degree tear when, in fact, they have suffered a 3rd or 4th degree tear.
Occasionally, clients have received no diagnosis at all. This might suggest that, either they underwent no perineal or anal examination following the birth of their baby, or that the medical practitioner responsible for this process had little knowledge of perineal trauma.
An undiagnosed severe birth tear can cause the woman to suffer catastrophic long-term symptoms.
Symptoms of anal sphincter damage
Severe birth tears damage the anal sphincter which controls the bowel and a woman whose receives no repair because she has received no diagnosis is likely to suffer some or all of the following symptoms:
- Extreme urgency when needing the toilet
- Inability to prevent the passing of wind or faeces
- Perineal infections
- Leakage of wind and faeces from the vagina
These symptoms can make life pretty miserable. Many women who suffer on-going bowel symptoms find that life revolves around access to the toilet. They may become reluctant to leave the house or to socialise because of the fear that they may lose control of their bowels.
These symptoms can sometimes also make it very difficult to return to work. A woman who has previously worked in a role which involves interacting with the public, such as hospitality or education, may find it impossible to return to her chosen career.
Medical negligence
The NICE Guidelines on vaginal childbirth state the need to define any perineal or genital trauma following the birth. It emphasises the need for sensitivity and for a rectal examination to be carried out if there is any sign of injury.
A digital, rectal examination checks for damage to the anal sphincter and anal lining. Without this examination, anal sphincter damage may be missed and the woman will not undergo a repair.
Where this has occurred and the woman suffers long-term bowel symptoms, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to a solicitor
If you are suffering with the shocking impact of an undiagnosed and unrepaired severe 3rd or 4th degree tear, contact Glynns to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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