Vaginal Childbirth Injury and When to Claim Compensation
For a woman to suffer a tear in the region of the vagina when giving birth to her baby is not unusual. What is more rare, affecting only around 5% of women, is to suffer an extensive tear which cuts right across the perineum and damages the muscles around the anus.
Such injuries require prompt, professional and competent medical care, without which the new mother may suffer permanent and worsening bowel dysfunction.
If negligent medical care has left you with on-going and disabling symptoms, talk to a solicitor. It may be possible to claim compensation for the impact which your injury, and its failed medical management, has had on your life.
The impact of negligent care of a severe tear
The external and internal anal muscles control the passing of wind and faeces. Any damage to those muscles will cause a reduction in that control. The most severe tears, a 3c or a 4th degree tear which damage both external and internal muscles are likely to cause the most dysfunction, the most debilitating symptoms and the greatest impact to a woman's quality of life.
Loss of control of wind and the passing of faeces can affect almost every aspect of a woman's life, often compromising her ability to work and to engage in activities outside the home.
She may need to undergo surgery to try to resolve her symptoms, she may need to use specialist equipment to manage her symptoms and she may need support in caring for her child.
She may no longer be able to pursue her career plans and may suffer a significant loss of income.
Claiming compensation for negligent care
The following examples may be regarded as negligent maternity care:
- A failure to carry out an examination of the woman's perineum following the birth of her baby, including failing to carry out a digital rectal examination
- Failing to observe that damage has occurred to the anal sphincter
- Making a misdiagnosis of damage to the anal sphincter, resulting in a failure of repair
- Failing to make an effective and comprehensive repair
If negligent care, such as the above, causes a woman to suffer on-going bowel problems, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to a legal specialist who will carry out an investigation in to the quality of your medical care and the degree to which any negligent care has affected your life.
Speak to a specialist solicitor
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in severe birth tear claims.
Contact us today to speak to a solicitor, free of charge, about your experience and the possibility of making a claim.
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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