Making a Claim for an Undiagnosed 3c Birth Tear
If you are suffering significant bowel problems after giving birth, you may have an undiagnosed severe perineal tear, such as a 3c tear. It may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation if your tear has not received adequate attention by medical staff.
Third degree tears
A 3c tear is the most extensive form of third degree birth tear. It starts at the vagina as it comes under pressure when the baby is born, and tears across the perineum into the anal sphincter muscles at the anus. It causes damage to both the external and internal anal sphincter muscles which control the bowel and can leave the woman without effective control of her bowels.
As a result, the woman may suffer incontinence of both wind and faeces on a permanent basis.
At best, she may suffer extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet. Many women with such injuries feel as if life revolves around their access to a toilet and find returning to work or socialising all but impossible.
Such an injury requires a skilled repair and, if this does not take place, the relevant medical professionals may be regarded as negligent.
Occasionally a 3c tear may be misdiagnosed as either a 3a or a 3b tear. This can cause problems. Both 3a and 3b tears only damage the external sphincter. Therefore, unless a thorough examination and diagnosis has been achieved, the damage to the internal anal sphincter may remain undiagnosed. This means that it may not be repaired and the woman may be left with an unrepaired defect to her internal anal sphincter. Consequently, her bowel problems may continue into the long-term.
Medical negligence
If a woman suffers a severe perineal tear which remains undiagnosed due to a failure by medical professionals to carry out an adequate post-natal examination, she may be regarded as having only received substandard care.
If the subsequently suffers long-term bowel problems because her undiagnosed injury has not been repaired, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
This can help to provide recompense for any loss of earnings and other financial costs due to the poor quality care.
Get legal advice
Here at Glynns we have supported numerous women in making highly-successful compensation claims for poor quality care of severe birth tears.
If you are struggling with the long-term effects of a misdiagnosed third degree tear, contact us today to talk free of charge to a specialist medical solicitor, with expertise in perineal tear claims.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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