Third Degree Tears and Medical Negligence Compensation
Third degree tears are a known risk of vaginal childbirth. Contact a legal specialist if negligent maternity care has left you facing the shocking symptoms of bowel dysfunction.
Addressing the risk of third degree tears
Whilst third degree tears in childbirth seemed to be on the increase in recent years, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has, in conjunction with its partners, been rolling out a Care Bundle to address the care and diagnosis of these appalling and life-changing injuries. Errors in maternity care continue to occur, however, and may justify a claim for compensation if the new mother is left struggling with life-changing symptoms.
Third degree tears are maternal birth injuries which damage the external and sometimes the internal anal muscles. Spreading from the vagina under pressure of the birth of a baby, these severe injuries require prompt and accurate diagnosis followed, when necessary, by a skilled surgical repair.
First-time mothers, women who require an instrumental delivery, women of Asian ethnicity and women giving birth to a larger than average baby are at a greater risk of suffering one of these potentially-debilitating injuries. Consequently, women who have given birth through the vagina need to be examined for any sign of a severe birth tear.
Maternity negligence and third degree tears
Third degree tears need to be fully and effectively repaired shortly after the birth. A delayed repair may not be as effective and may leave the new mother suffering bowel problems.
Examples of negligent care which may cause a delay in diagnosis and repair, and which may justify a claim for compensation, could include the following:
- A failure to carry out a thorough examination of the new mother following the birth, including a digital rectal examination
- A failure to recognise that an injury has occurred to the anal muscles
- A misdiagnosis of an anal sphincter injury
- A failure to carry out an appropriate and effective repair
Claiming compensation for negligent care
If you are struggling with significant bowel symptoms such as leakage and urgency, you may be finding it difficult to work and be experiencing a loss of income. Speak to a legal specialist about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
Here at Glynns Solicitors, as specialists in medical negligence law, we have long-standing experience of high-value maternal birth tear compensation claims.
Contact us today to speak with 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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