Unrepaired Obstetric Injury and Compensation for Clinical Negligence.
What is an unrepaired obstetric injury, why does it matter and why might it justify a claim for compensation for medical negligence?
Obstetric anal sphincter injuries
An obstetric injury is one which occurs during childbirth. In the specific context of this article, it is an injury to the anal sphincter during vaginal childbirth, injuries which are otherwise referred to as 3rd or 4th degree tears. To be precise, these are tears which cross from the vagina to the anus where they injure the muscles to some degree and thereby compromise the new mother's control of her bowel function.
Such injuries are considered to be severe both in the extent of damage they cause, but also in terms of the symptoms which they can cause if they remain unrepaired. A woman with an unrepaired obstetric injury may face a lifetime of incontinence of both wind and faeces. The impact of this, practically, psychologically and financially, can be very challenging.
Third and fourth degree tears are a known risk of vaginal childbirth, especially where the woman is a first-time mother, is carrying a large baby or requires an instrumental delivery. Consequently, guidelines demand that every woman who gives birth in this way should undergo a thorough examination following the birth of her child to check for any anal sphincter damage. This should ensure that, if damage is identified, a repair is carried out, by an appropriately-skilled practitioner, in an operating theatre, in a timely manner.
Claiming compensation
If a woman's health, physical integrity and future well-being is adversely affected by a failure to carry out an effective repair of an obstetric anal sphincter injury, it may be possible to claim compensation for the impact. This could include, where appropriate, a loss of earnings, the costs of future treatment or equipment and the costs of any care needs.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in and experience of high-value 3rd and 4th degree tear claims.
If you suspect that you may be entitled to make a claim, you can be sure that we will understand the difficulties which you may be facing. We can be relied upon to carry out a meticulous investigation into the quality of your maternity care, engaging the services of the best experts in the field. Where it is found that your care has, indeed, been substandard, we will make a comprehensive assessment of its impact on your quality of life.
Contact us today to talk to a specialist 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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