Making a Compensation Claim for a 4th Degree Tear after Childbirth
An unrepaired severe birth tear can cause permanent, debilitating bowel problems and may justify a claim for compensation.
4th degree tears
A 4th degree tear is the most severe form of perineal and anal injury which a woman can experience during vaginal childbirth. Such an injury causes damage all the way from the new mother's vagina, across her perineum, affecting both her external and internal anal muscles and the lining of the anal canal.
Unless promptly repaired, the long-term effects can be shocking and life-changing.
Severe perineal tears, also described as 3rd and 4th degree tears can cause utter misery if they do not receive effective medical care.
A fourth degree tear can cause the following symptoms:
- The woman may find that she cannot prevent the passing of wind
- She may experience extreme urgency when needing the toilet
- She may experience leakage of faeces
- She may experience leakage of wind
- If the 4th degree tear is not properly repaired, a fistula or passage may develop between the anus and the vagina, allowing wind and faeces to leak from the vagina, causing extreme distress to the new mother
Claiming compensation
A successful compensation claim can provide recompense for the woman's pain, unnecessary suffering and financial losses associated with the injury. If a failure to repair a 4th degree tear properly means that the new mother cannot return to work, the impact on her income will be significant.
It may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation if the injury has not received the correct medical care:
- If the new mother did not undergo a thorough examination after the birth of her baby
- If she did not receive a digital, rectal examination following the birth
- If her injury was incorrectly diagnosed
- If no surgical repair took place
- If the quality of her surgical repair was poor, allowing the wound to break down
Speak to a specialist solicitor
If you are struggling with the long-term impact of an undiagnosed or unrepaired 3rd or 4th degree tear, contact Glynns Solicitors to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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