Perineal Tear Misdiagnosis and Compensation for Bowel Damage
Misdiagnosis of a perineal tear during vaginal childbirth can leave the new mother with permanent bowel dysfunction and may justify a claim for compensation.
Perineal tear misdiagnosis
Accurate diagnosis of any perineal or anal damage during vaginal childbirth is essential. If a woman has suffered a severe injury during the birth of her baby, a prompt repair is vital if she is to avoid permanent bowel symptoms.
A perineal tear of some degree affects the majority of women who have given birth via the vagina. Starting at the vagina, a tear may affect only the perineum or it may extend further, affecting the anal sphincter and potentially causing bowel dysfunction.
Accurate classification according to the following guidelines of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is vital in order to ensure that the woman receives an appropriate repair.
- A 1st degree tear affects only the vagina or perineal skin
- A 2nd degree tear also affects the muscle of the perineum
- A 3a tear additionally affects the external anal sphincter up to a depth of 50%
- A 3b tear affects more that 50% of the external anal sphincter
- A 3c tear additionally cause damage to the internal anal sphincter
- A 4th degree tear also damages the lining of the anal canal
If damage to the anal sphincter has occurred but has not been recognised or has been misdiagnosed, the new mother will suffer bowel problems which will not be resolved with a surgical repair. Even if the extent of a 3rd degree tear is incorrectly identified, a woman may only undergo a partial repair.
Examples would be the diagnosis of a3rd degree tear as a 2nd degree tear, not recognising that damage has occurred to the anal sphincter at all. Or a further example would be diagnosis of a 3c tea\r which has affected the internal anal sphincter as a 3a tear which has only affected the external sphincter.
Claiming compensation
A failure to carry out a full and effective repair of a severe perineal tear due to a misdiagnosis can leave a woman will debilitating bowel problems and may justify a claim for compensation for the impact of this negligence.
A successful claim will incorporate any financial losses caused by the negligence such as a loss of income if the new mother experiences difficulty working due to her symptoms.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers.
Contact us today to speak with a specialist, 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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