Fourth Degree Tear Maternity Negligence and Compensation For Impact.
Without prompt and competent medical intervention, a fourth degree tear will leave a new mother struggling to control her bowel movements and wind. A successful compensation claim can help to address the problems which she may face.
The severity of a 4th degree tear
A fourth degree tear is an extensive and potentially debilitating injury. Starting at the vagina during childbirth, the tear will cut across the perineum, through both the external and internal anal muscles and enter the anal canal.
As well as damaging a woman's ability to control the passing of wind and faeces, a fourth degree tear can lead to further distressing complications. As a result of the damage to the lining of the anal canal, a rectovaginal fistula may develop which is an abnormal passage between the anus and vagina. This can allow wind and faecal matter to pass through into the vagina causing embarrassing and debilitating leakage.
The severity of the impact on bowel integrity and function caused by a fourth degree tear can also leave a woman needing a stoma to be fitted.
The physical, practical and psychological consequences of such severe symptoms can be dramatic, significantly undermining a woman's quality of life and general well-being.
Claiming compensation
If medical professionals have, through their negligent or substandard care, contributed to a woman suffering the appalling symptoms and consequences of a fourth degree tear when, with competent care, the outcome would have been otherwise, the new mother may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
A successful claim would include take account of the financial losses and costs experienced by the new mother as a result of the negligent medical care, such as a loss of income.
Negligent maternity care of a fourth degree tear
Medical professionals may be regarded as having been negligent in their response to a fourth degree tear in the following circumstances:
- They fail to carry out an examination including a digital rectal examination after the birth of the baby
- They fail to recognise that a severe birth tear has occurred
- They misdiagnose the damage which has occurred as a lesser tear
- They fail in the quality of the repair, leaving the new mother with on-going symptoms
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice. We have extensive experience of maternity birth tear claims and a history of success on behalf of our clients.
This specialisation ensures that we have the skills ready and waiting to help you in the most efficient and economical way.
It also means that we can offer No Win No Fee medical negligence funding which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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