Compensation for Traumatic Anal Birth Injury
Severe damage to the anal muscles can be a distressing consequence of vaginal childbirth. If medical professionals fail to provide appropriate care, the new mother may suffer permanent bowel problems. It may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Severe perineal tears
Perineal tears are a risk of vaginal childbirth which, for most women, are resolved promptly. Severe tears, however, which are referred to as 3rd or 4th degree tears, affect around 5% of women giving birth in this way, and require skilled medical care. Negligent medical care in either diagnosis or repair can leave the new mother with permanent bowel dysfunction.
The reason for this is that 3rd and 4th degree tears cause damage to the anal sphincter. This is the external and internal muscles which control the passing of wind and faeces. Third and fourth degree tears cause increasing amounts of damage to these muscles, leaving a woman with symptoms which can include urgency when needing the toilet, infections of the perineum and incontinence of both wind and faeces.
Negligent medical care
A severe tear affecting the anal sphincter does not necessarily mean that you have been the victim of negligent medical care. However, a failure to recognise that this severe injury has occurred or a failure to provide an appropriate repair may well do.
Examples of negligent care relating to an anal sphincter birth injury include the following:
- A failure to carry out an post-natal examination of the perineum including a digital rectal examination
- A failure to recognise damage to the anal sphincter
- A misdiagnosis of an anal injury
- A failure to provide an effective repair
Seeking legal advice
If you are continuing to experience debilitating bowel symptoms and suspect that you have an unrepaired 3rd or 4th degree tear, you might wish to consider getting legal advice.
An experienced medical negligence solicitor will be able to investigate the quality of your maternity care and advise whether or not you have been the victim of negligent care.
If you are experiencing significant difficulties and losses as a result of negligent care, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Glynns Solicitors
Glynns is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with considerable experience of high-value birth tear claims.
Contact us today to speak with a specialist solicitor, free of charge, about your experience and 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.
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