Bladder Damaged During C-Section
If your bladder was damaged during a Caesarean section, have you been the victim of medical negligence, and are you entitled to pursue a compensation claim?
Bladder injuries during Caesarean section
The bladder is especially vulnerable during a C-section because it lies next to the uterus. Therefore when performing the procedure, the surgeon must detach the bladder from the uterus. The bladder must then be pushed downwards and clamped in position, thereby exposing the lower segment of the uterus where the incision will be made. During the mobilisation of the bladder it is possible that the bladder will be injured. This will happen in around one in 1000 caesarean sections.
Is a bladder injury during a C-section negligent?
Bladder damage is a recognised complication of caesarean sections. A patient should be informed of this risk before she signs the consent form.
If a bladder injury does occur during the operation and a patient was informed of this risk, it would not be considered negligent. That is because bladder damage is an inherent risk of the operation.
Furthermore it is unlikely that a bladder injury will lead to adverse consequences, providing it is recognised and repaired, and the repair rested with post-operative catheterisation. In most cases the bladder will heal extremely well and the patient will not suffer subsequent problems.
However, there are occasions when a bladder injury sustained during a C-section will lead to a successful medical negligence claim.
For example, whereas causing a bladder injury during a C-section would not be considered negligent, failing to recognise the bladder injury at the time of the operation would be. It is absolutely vital that the damage is identified and repaired before the close of the procedure, or a patient will go on to suffer serious complications.
Additionally, if a surgeon fails to properly mobilise the bladder downwards, causing him/her to cut through the bladder and into the uterus, the care will be considered substandard. A competent obstetric surgeon should be able to distinguish the bladder from the uterus and move it downwards, out of harm's way. A failure to do so will amount to medical negligence.
Claiming for medical negligence
If your bladder has been damaged during a Caesarean section and you believe medical error is to blame, please get in touch with us today to discuss your options. We will advise you upon your options, suggesting whether or not you could be in a position to pursue a claim for negligence.
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