Fourth Degree Tear and Compensation for Maternity Negligence
Contact a legal specialist if you suspect that you have suffered an undiagnosed fourth degree tear. It may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Fourth degree tears
Severe perineal tears can be a significant problem for those who suffer them. If diagnosis and surgical repair are achieved promptly and effectively, there should be a good recovery. However, sometimes a diagnosis is not made and a repair is not carried out, leaving the distressed new mother to suffer appalling symptoms which can affect the rest of her life.
Severe perineal tears or OASI (obstetric anal sphincter injuries) are classified according to their extent and severity and a fourth degree tear is the most severe and potentially debilitating. A woman who has suffered a fourth degree tear will find herself with an injury which commences at the vagina, cuts across the perineum, through the external anal sphincter and the internal anal sphincter, also damaging the lining of the anal canal. Not surprisingly, an injury of such extent has the capacity to cause considerable damage, resulting in significant loss of function.
A fourth degree tear can have a variety of distressing and physically disabling consequences including the following:
- A loss of the ability to control the passing of wind
- A loss of the ability to control the passing of faeces
- The development of a rectovaginal fistula, allowing faecal matter to leak from the vagina
- The need for a stoma to be fitted
- Perineal infections and discomfort
Compensation claims and when to make them
If you suspect that you have suffered from negligent maternity care, such as a failure to examine you following the birth of your baby, you might wish to speak to a medical negligence solicitor. If negligent medical care has caused you to suffer symptoms and on-going difficulties which would not have been the case with an acceptable level of care, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Such a claim would take account of any financial losses which you may be suffering as a result of the negligence. For example, if your bowel symptoms mean that you are struggling to work, a successful claim would include your loss of income.
Specialist legal advice
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced, specialist solicitors. Over the years we have accumulated extensive expertise in birth injury claims and one of our solicitors will be very happy to speak with you, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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