A woman who suffered complications because of a missed third degree tear has been awarded £1.6m in damages at London’s High Court.
Sarah Davidson, 36, sustained a third degree tear during the birth of her first child in 2008. The injury was not detected after the delivery because her consultant obstetrician failed to carry out a proper examination.
Two weeks later Mrs Davidson, then a high-earning equity trader, began to experience pain, faecal incontinence and was unable to control wind. She returned to the Portland Hospital in London where she had given birth and was diagnosed with a third degree tear.
The consultant at the private hospital subsequently performed a repair, but this was described by the High Court judge as “plainly insufficient”. Mrs Justice Andrews said: “It appears there was no proper examination carried out post-delivery.”
“The severity of the tear remained undetected and thus it was not made the subject of immediate surgical repair and treatment with antibiotics.”
Despite undergoing reconstructive treatment Mrs Davidson has ongoing symptoms, and will continue to do so in the future. This means she is no longer able to work in the financial sector where she previously had a highly successful career.
In light of the severe physical, emotional and financial damages incurred by Mrs Davidson and her family, Mrs Justice Andrews awarded £1.6m compensation to be paid by the hospital, as well as interest and her legal costs.
“This is a case in which Mrs Davidson’s injury has put paid to her ability to return to any form of work in the financial sector and severely limited the nature of any future employment,” the judge said.
“Many of her undoubted talents are going to go to waste. Her future is uncertain and any work that she does undertake in future is likely to be fairly solitary and considerably less well paid.”
Have you suffered a missed third degree tear?
If you have suffered complications because doctors did not diagnose your third degree tear, do not hesitate to get in touch with us today. It is very likely that you are the innocent victim of medical negligence, meaning you will be entitled to claim compensation for the damages wrongfully incurred.
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