Maternal Anal Injury in Childbirth and When to Claim Compensation
A distressing and potentially disabling injury to the new mother in vaginal childbirth is rarely talked about. However, women who have suffered this appalling injury understand only too well how difficult it can be to cope with such a disabling injury and the shocking impact which it can have on a woman's life and that of her family.
Severe birth tears
Severe perineal tears, also referred to as 3rd or 4th degree tears, are a risk of vaginal childbirth which affect a small minority of women. They can occur when the baby is born due to the pressure on the skin and muscle around the vagina. They are more likely to affect women who have needed an instrumental delivery, those giving birth to a large baby and women of Asian heritage.
However, every woman who gives birth to a baby through the vagina should undergo a thorough examination following the birth to check for any damage to the anal sphincter.
The problem with these injuries and the reason they can be so disabling is that they damage the muscles around the anus that control the passing of wind and faeces.
It is essential that these injuries are diagnosed.
Medical negligence and claiming compensation
With competent maternity care, these injuries are diagnosed accurately and fully repaired in an operating theatre by an experienced surgeon.
With negligent care, the new mother may be left with an undiagnosed and unrepaired tear to her anal sphincter. This may worsen over time and she may suffer incontinence of wind and faeces, perineal infection and leakage from the vagina. In some circumstances, she may need a stoma to be fitted.
The impact is highly distressing and can fundamentally affect a woman's quality of life.
If you have been left with a 3rd or 4th degree tear due to either examination failures or diagnosis failures, speak to a specialist solicitor about the possibility of claiming compensation.
Where appropriate, a successful claim will take account of any loss of income or costs of equipment and treatment which you have experienced as a result of your symptoms.
Speak to a medical negligence legal specialist
Compensation claims for maternity negligence can be extremely complex. It is crucial that you engage the services of a legal specialist.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in and understanding of birth tear claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim if you are struggling with the impact of negligent maternity care.
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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