Maternity Anal Injury and Compensation for Negligence
An anal injury during vaginal childbirth is fairly uncommon but the impact can be devastating and, if negligent maternity care has played a role, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
What is an anal injury in childbirth?
An anal injury, such as those which can be experienced during childbirth, is a tear to the muscles - external, internal or both - around the anus. They need to be classified precisely and accurately according to the following guidelines of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:
- A 3a tear affects up to 50% of the external anal muscle
- A 3b tear damages more than 50% of the external anal muscle
- A 3c tear additionally damages the internal anal sphincter
- A 4th degree tear additionally damages the internal lining of the anal canal
An anal injury sometimes occurs as a baby is born and the pressure causes a tear to start at the vagina and extend across the perineum. For the vast majority of women, the tear does not extend any further but for an unfortunate few, the anal sphincter is damaged and bowel problems such as leakage of wind and faeces, can develop.
The role of negligence
Severe perineal tears are a known risk of vaginal childbirth. Prompt, knowledgeable and effective medical care is essential in diagnosing and repairing these potentially life-changing injuries.
Negligence which may put the new mother at risk of suffering permanent bowel symptoms can include the following:
- A failure to carry out a thorough examination of the mother's perineum and anal sphincter following vaginal childbirth
- A failure to recognise any damage or the full extent of any damage which has occurred
- A misdiagnosis of a severe perineal tear
- A failure to carry out an effective repair
Claiming compensation for the consequences of negligence
The problem with any of the above scenarios is that the new mother may not receive an effective repair as a result and may experience on-going bowel symptoms of incontinence.
Such appalling symptoms can lead to wide-ranging changes in a woman's life, not least of which is a dramatic loss of self-confidence.
It can also lead to significant financial losses if, for example, the bowel problems affect the woman's ability to work or restrict the type of employment that she can undertake.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience of high-value birth tear claims.
If you think you may have been the victim of negligent maternity care, contact us today to speak with a specialist solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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