Susceptibility to Severe Birth Tears and Compensation for Negligent Care
Although severe birth tears occur to around 5% to 10% of women during vaginal childbirth, they do not, thankfully, happen to all women. Some categories of women are at a greater risk of these appalling injuries. This includes the following groups of women:
- Women who are giving birth for the first time
- Women who are carrying a larger than average baby
- Women of Asian ethnicity
- Women who have needed an instrumental delivery with either forceps or ventouse
- Women whose baby has suffered shoulder dystocia during the birth
All women should receive scrupulous care of the perineum during childbirth but the vulnerability of these groups means that particularly close attention should be paid to any signs of damage.
The potential impact of a severe birth tear
A severe birth tear is a general description of birth injuries which are otherwise referred to as third and fourth degree tears.
These injuries cause debilitating damage to the muscles which control a woman's bowel movement. Without effective diagnosis and repair, a woman can be left with both wind and faecal incontinence as well as perineal infections and discomfort.
The impact of this can be utterly devastating. Women are left not only struggling to cope with appalling physical symptoms but are often deeply affected by the emotional and psychological impact. Many describe feeling embarrassed or ashamed, anxious and depressed. They are at risk of becoming socially isolated as their need for quick access to a toilet reduces their willingness to leave home. Personal and intimate relationships are also often a victim of these terrible injuries.
It is also often the case that a woman's earning capacity is significantly affected by such severe personal symptoms. Many fields of employment may no longer be appropriate to accessible such as hospitality, education, retail and healthcare. This, or a limited ability to cope with working hours, may result in a reduced income.
Claiming compensation
Severe perineal tears require meticulous medical attention.
If medical professionals fail to diagnose a sever tear or only achieve a substandard repair, they may be regarded as having provided negligent care.
The new mother may be able to make a claim for compensation which would include loss of income where this was caused by the effects of negligent care.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in perineal tear compensation.
Contact us today to talk to a specialist solicitor, free of charge.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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