Obstetric Anal Tear Claims After Negligent Care

Contact a specialist solicitor if substandard maternity care has left you struggling with disabling bowel symptoms.

Obstetric anal injuries

Obstetric tears are injuries which sometimes occur during vaginal childbirth. They vary considerably in extent and severity and are not necessarily a sign of negligent maternity care.

The way in which they are managed by maternity staff, however, is crucial to the new mother’s long-term health outcome and this is where negligent care can justify a claim for compensation.

1^st and 2^nd degree tears affect the skin and muscle around the vagina and perineum but do not affect the muscles around the anus.

Anal tears do affect the anal muscles and competent medical care is essential

3a tears, in addition to damaging the perineum, affect up to 50% of the external anal sphincter
3b tears damage more than 50% of the external anal sphincter
3c tears additionally damage the internal anal muscle
4^th degree tears additionally damage the lining of the anal canal and risk the development of a fistula between the anus and the vagina

When to claim compensation

If a 3^rd or 4^th degree tear occurs during the delivery of a baby, it is important that the injury is identified and repaired competently and comprehensively at the time.

If an injury occurs which is not diagnosed or is misdiagnosed and does not receive an effective repair, the new mother may return home with disabling and possibly worsening bowel symptoms. Depending on the severity of the injury, these symptoms can include urgency when needing to go to the toilet, as well as leakage or incontinence, discomfort and perineal infections. In extreme cases, the new mother may experience leakage from the vagina or need a stoma to be fitted to provide bowel function.

The practical, psychological and financial impact can be devastating.

A woman who cannot control the passing of wind and faeces, or who requires close access to a toilet at all times, can find that she is limited in her choice of employment. This can often mean the end of an anticipated career and significant financial losses.

If negligent maternity care has contributed to or caused this distressing outcome, talk to a specialist solicitor about making a claim for compensation which will address the impact which the negligence has had on your life.

Free legal advice

Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with many years of experience in severe birth tear claims. Consequently, we fully understand the distress and embarrassment which some women can feel when discussing these appalling injuries.

Contact us to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, if you are struggling with the shocking symptoms caused by negligent maternity care of an obstetric anal injury.

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 free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.

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