Third Degree Tear Symptoms: Can I Get Compensation?
If you have debilitating and on-going bowel symptoms because of a poorly-managed third degree tear, you may be able to claim compensation for medical negligence. Contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss your situation.
Third degree tears
If a third degree tear during vaginal childbirth does not receive an accurate diagnosis and effective repair, the new mother will suffer bowel difficulties of some sort. The nature and severity of those symptoms will vary depending on the extent of the tear but are likely to be debilitating to some degree.
Third degree tears cause damage to external and, sometimes, also to the internal anal sphincter. A fourth degree tear will additionally damage the lining of the anal canal.
The resulting symptoms can include extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet as well as the loss of control of the passing of wind and faeces. Where a fourth degree tear is concerned, if a fistula develops between the anus and the vagina, the symptoms may include vaginal leakage and possibly the need for a stoma to be fitted.
Not surprisingly, symptoms such as these can have a distressing and limiting effect on a woman's life, including restricting the type and hours of work she is able to do as well as affecting the activities she can manage and her self-confidence and willingness even to leave her home.
Claiming compensation
If negligent maternity care has meant that a woman leaves hospital with an unrepaired third degree tear and debilitating bowel symptoms, it may be appropriate to claim compensation for the impact.
Negligence in relation to third degree tears often relates to a failure of diagnosis. This can include the following:
- A failure to carry out a thorough examination of the new mother following the birth of her baby, including a digital rectal examination to check the condition of her anal sphincter
- A failure to recognise that an injury to the anal sphincter has occurred
- A misdiagnosis of an injury to the anal sphincter, such as identifying a 3c tear as a 3a tear which may mean that only a part of the injury is repaired
Speak to a medical negligence specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers and a considerable understanding of the distress and disability which these appalling injuries can cause.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about your situation and the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
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 on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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