Undiagnosed Anal Tear in Vaginal Childbirth
Claiming compensation for poor-quality medical care following vaginal childbirth can help to address the shocking permanent symptoms of an undiagnosed birth tear.
Severe birth tears
It may seem extraordinary but it is unfortunately true that vaginal childbirth occasionally results in damage to the muscles around the anus. Such a shocking injury occurs to approximately 5% of women who give birth through the vagina and requires immediate and skilled attention by the medical professionals attending the birth.
Those most at risk of this distressing outcome include women who are giving birth for the first time as well as those who have required an instrumental delivery, perhaps due to a prolonged second stage of labour or due to the size of their baby.
In order to minimise the long-term impact of this severe injury, it is crucial that women who have given birth through the vagina are examined meticulously following the birth of their baby by medical practitioners with sufficient expertise to recognise and accurately diagnose anal damage. A negligent examination or lack of knowledge and experience can result in a misdiagnosis which can condemn a new mother to a lifetime of bowel incontinence.
The distress and disability which such a serious injury can cause is difficult to overstate. Women who are suffering with incontinence of faeces and wind can become socially isolated, suffer from a dramatic loss of self-confidence and struggle to work. Many forms of employment may become inaccessible and, in addition to trying to cope with her physical disability, the woman may find that her chosen career is now denied her.
Compensation for medical negligence
If a woman suffers permanent and debilitating symptoms due to poor-quality medical care of a severe birth tear, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation. A successful claim can help to cope with the impact of the negligent care by providing compensation for financial losses associated with the injury. If a woman has not undergone a post-natal perineal examination or has been misdiagnosed with a 2nd degree tear, for example, instead of the 3rd or 4th degree tear which she has, in fact, suffered, she can sue for medical negligence.
The physical, emotional and financial impact of an unrepaired severe birth tear can be crushing but a successful compensation claim can help to restore a sense of justice as well as providing help to deal with the difficulties a woman now faces.
Legal advice
Contact Glynns Solicitors if you are struggling with the shocking impact of a 3rd or 4th tear due to substandard medical care following the birth of your baby. We are experts in medical negligence with considerable experience of supporting birth tear claims. One of our tm of legal specialists will be very happy to discuss your situation with you.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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