Compensation for Poor Perineal Tear Stitching
A poor repair to a severe perineal tear can lead to permanent issues of wind and faecal incontinence. It might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
1st and 2nd degree tears
If a new mother suffers a 1st or 2nd degree tear when giving birth, it is considered a fairly superficial injury which might be repaired on the maternity ward by the midwife.
It will not impact on the functioning of the woman's bowel and is likely to lead to a full recovery within a short period of time.
3rd and 4th degree tears
A poor repair of a severe perineal tear is an entirely different matter. It is distinctly possible that the woman will be left with very serious and long-term bowel problems, impacting on her confidence and her ability to work.
An inadequate repair of an anal sphincter injury during childbirth might be due to a number of reasons:
- The injury has not been accurately diagnosed, meaning that only part of the injury has been repaired. For example, one client had suffered a 3c tear meaning that her internal sphincter muscle was damaged but she was only diagnosed as having a 3a tear. Consequently her internal damage remained unrepaired.
- The injury has been fully diagnosed and repaired but an incorrect technique in the suturing process has been used, meaning that part of the repair has broken down, allowing bowel incontinence issues to develop
- The incorrect materials have been used at some point during the repair meaning that the repair has proved fully or partially inadequate and allowing the leakage of wind and faeces due to a failed repair
- It is also possible that a poor repair might allow a rectovaginal fistula to develop between the rectum and the vagina, allowing wind and faeces to leak from the vagina
Claiming compensation
Clients contacting us about poor management of their severe perineal injury have usually complained of a range of symptoms including the following:
- Extreme urgency when needing the toilet
- Inability to prevent the passing of faeces
- Inability to prevent the passing of wind
- Leakage of wind and faeces from the vagina
- Repeated perineal infections
As well as causing a significant loss of confidence, these symptoms can impact dramatically on the woman's day-to-day life, restricting her ability to work and causing her to become isolated in the home.
A successful negligence claim can compensate the woman for her on-going loss of earnings and help her to cope with the daily difficulties she may encounter as a result of her negligence.
Speak to a solicitor
Contact Glynns if you are suffering the long-term effects of a poorly-managed severe birth tear.
We have supported numerous successful compensation claims for anal sphincter birth injuries and will be very happy to offer advice.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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