Anal Tear Compensation for Negligence
An anal tear is an occasional but shocking and debilitating consequence of vaginal childbirth, requiring prompt and meticulous medical care. A delay or failure of diagnosis may justify a claim for compensation.
Anal tears in vaginal childbirth
A perineal tear during childbirth is a fairly common occurrence which, in the case of 1st or 2nd degree tears, usually resolves promptly. Around 5% of women, however, experience a more extensive injury which goes beyond the perineum to cause damage to the anal sphincter.
This is a serious injury requiring the attention of a skilled surgeon to ensure that an effective and comprehensive is achieved and that the new mother suffers minimal discomfort and symptoms.
Anal birth tears, referred to as 3rd or 4th degree tears, can affect either just the external anal muscle or both external and internal muscles. Without appropriate and timely medical care, the new mother can start to experience the most appalling bowel problems including the following:
- Extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet
- Inability to prevent the passing of wind
- Inability to prevent the passing of faeces
- Discomfort and infections of the perineum
Negligent medical care
If the new mother does not receive the appropriate level of care following the birth of her baby, leaving her with on-going bowel symptoms, she should be legally entitled to make a claim for compensation for the impact on her quality of life and financial consequences.
Failings in maternity care which might be regarded as negligent and which could leave a woman with an unresolved injury could include the following:
- A failure of examination following the birth
- A failure to identify a severe anal tear
- A misdiagnosis of an anal tear
- A failure to achieve a full and effective repair.
If you suspect that either you or a loved one have been the victim of negligent maternity care and are struggling with the consequences, speak to a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence law.
Claiming compensation
If appropriate, a successful compensation claim will incorporate the financial losses which you are suffering as a consequence of the negligent maternity care, such as a loss of income if your symptoms have affected your capacity to work.
A specialist solicitor will guide you through this complex process.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a wealth of expertise in maternal birth tear claims.
Contact us today to talk to a 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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