Making a Claim for Permanent Birth Tear Disability
A birth tear can cause significant damage all the way from the vagina, across the perineum and into the anus. If this severe injury is not diagnosed and repaired, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Severe birth tear symptoms
If a third or fourth degree birth tear is not repaired shortly after the birth of the baby, the new mother may suffer permanent bowel problems. These could include the following:
- Extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet
- Inability to prevent the passing of wind (wind incontinence)
- Inability to stop the passing of faeces (faecal incontinence)
- Infections around the vagina and perineum
- Leakage of wind and faeces out of the vagina
- Pain in the perineum
Not surprisingly, incontinence of the bowel can cause a significant impact on a woman's life to the extent that she may be unable to work and reluctant to leave the house. The psychological, financial, practical and physical effects can be dramatic.
Diagnosis of severe tears
A woman who has just given birth vaginally needs to be very carefully examined. If the medical professionals attending the birth do not take particular care, it is possible that a severe birth injury may be missed either completely or mistaken for a less extensive tear.
It is particularly important that women who are giving birth vaginally for the first time or who have given birth to a large baby are assessed fully and accurately.
Women who have required instrumental assistance with the birth of their baby (such as a forceps delivery) also require close scrutiny or the perineum and anus as they are at a greater risk of suffering a third or fourth degree tear.
Negligence
If you experienced a severe perineal tear during the birth of your baby but did not receive an accurate diagnosis and competent repair, you are probably continuing to suffer the shocking symptoms mentioned above. If this is the case, your medical professional will probably be considered to have been negligent and it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
If you have been unable to return to your former job due to your bowel problems resulting from the birth of your baby, you may be entitled to make a claim for your past and future losses.
Speak to a solicitor
If you are suffering on-going disability and financial losses due to substandard care around the birth of your baby, you should talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Contact us here at Glynns. We have supported many, many women in pursuing compensation for poor care during childbirth and will be very happy to advise you.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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