Perineal Tear Repair Negligence and Claiming Compensation
An effective repair of a severe perineal birth tear is essential. If negligent care by medical professionals leaves a new mother with disabling bowel problems, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Severe perineal tears
Severe perineal tears, caused occasionally by vaginal childbirth, require a skilled repair by an experienced surgeon shortly after the birth of the baby. The reason for this is that a failure to diagnose and repair the injury may leave the new mother with permanent bowel leakage or incontinence.
3rd and 4th degree tears, the most severe forms of perineal tear caused by the pressure of childbirth, damage the integrity of the muscles which provide control of bowel movements and the passing of wind. Consequently, if these crucial muscles are not repaired effectively, the woman affected can lose the ability to control the passing of wind and faeces. She may experience extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet or suffer leakage.
These distressing and debilitating symptoms can affect a woman's confidence in leaving her home and may restrict the type of employment which she is able to undertake. This can, of course, result in a significant loss of income.
Medical negligence and severe perineal tears
Perineal tears are a known risk of vaginal childbirth. Medical professionals have a duty to try to ensure that any damage is both promptly and accurately diagnosed and then comprehensively and effectively repaired. If they fail in this regard, due to a failure of examination, a failure of diagnosis, a misdiagnosis or a failure to repair, they may be regarded as negligent.
A surgical repair of a severe perineal tear requires the use of techniques appropriate to the different aspects of the tear, the use of appropriate materials in accomplishing the repair and ensuring that the entirety of the injury has been resolved.
Substandard treatment may leave a woman with permanent disability and may justify a claim for compensation for the consequences of the negligence.
Claiming compensation
If you suspect that you have been the victim of negligent maternity care, your first step should be to speak with a specialist medical negligence solicitor. They will be able to obtain your medical records and investigate the quality of your care. If you have, indeed, suffered negligent care, they will have the expertise to negotiate the best settlement for you.
Legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience of birth tear claims.
Contact us today to speak to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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