Fourth Degree Tear Bowel Dysfunction and Claiming Compensation
Bowel dysfunction caused by a 4th degree tear can be life-changing and may justify a claim for compensation.
Fourth degree tear dysfunction
A fourth degree tear is the most severe form of anal sphincter injury which occasionally occurs during vaginal childbirth. Under the pressure of the baby's birth, the new mother's perineum may suffer a tear which extends across to the anal sphincter and cuts through both external and internal muscles to cause additional damage to the lining of the anal canal.
Not only compromising the woman's control of wind and faeces, these appalling injuries can also cause the development of a rectovaginal fistula between the rectum and the vagina, thereby allowing wind and faeces to leak from the vagina.
If the woman's bowel function is sufficiently damaged, she may even need a stoma to be fitted to provide an alternative method for the passing of faeces.
Fourth degree tear medical care and associated negligence
Because of the severity of the dysfunction associated with these severe injuries, medical professionals need to be scrupulous in their attention to the condition of a new mother's perineum following the birth of her baby. Any sign of perineal injury needs to be carefully assessed and accurately diagnosed. A 4th degree tear requires a surgical repair by an experienced surgeon.
Negligent care, resulting in a delay in diagnosis or no diagnosis at all, will leave the new mother with debilitating bowel symptoms which may not respond positively to delayed medical attention.
The following medical failings may be regarded as negligent and may justify a claim for compensation:
- A failure to carry out an examination of the new mother following a vaginal birth, including a digital rectal examination
- A failure to identify an anal sphincter injury
- A misdiagnosis of an anal sphincter injury
- A failure to carry out a comprehensive and effective repair
Claiming compensation
If you are a new mother with severe bowel difficulties, you may find it difficult to return to work. Both practically and psychologically, the challenges may restrict the type of employment you can undertake and the level of income you may be able to achieve. If this represents a loss of income, this loss would be incorporated into a successful claim.
Specialist legal advice
If you think that you may have been the victim of negligent maternity care, your first step should be to speak with a legal specialist.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience in maternal birth tear claims. 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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