Obstetric Negligence and Compensation for a Severe Birth Tear
Unrepaired obstetric anal injuries can have long-term disabling consequences. Speak to a specialist solicitor if you are struggling with distressing bowel problems.
Obstetric perineal tear negligence
Following the delivery of a baby, the perineal care of the new mother needs to be meticulous and knowledgeable to ensure that she does not leave hospital with an undiagnosed and unrepaired anal injury.
OASI (obstetric anal sphincter injuries), are a risk of vaginal childbirth, generally affecting around 5% of women who give birth in this way. This tends mostly to affect women requiring an instrumental delivery, first-time mothers and women of Asian ancestry.
Prompt diagnosis and a skilled repair are absolutely essential. A delayed repair may not resolve the symptoms which these appalling injuries can cause, including urgency and leakage of both wind and faeces.
An accurate diagnosis is a fundamental part of this process and, therefore, failings by medical professionals which might be regarded as negligent and which might justify a claim for compensation could include the following:
- A failure to carry out a perineal examination of the new mother after the birth of her baby
- A failure to carry out a digital rectal examination of the new mother
- A failure to identify that an injury has occurred to the anal sphincter (the muscles around the anus)
- A failure to make an accurate diagnosis of any injury to the anal sphincter
- A misdiagnosis of an anal injury, such as diagnosing a 3c tear as a 3a tear
Further examples of obstetric negligence in relation to these severe tears would include an incompetent repair or a repair which does not include the entirety of the injury, thereby leaving the new mother to struggle with bowel symptoms.
Compensation claims
Where negligence has affected a new mother's long-term bowel continence, a successful claim will not only address her pain and suffering but will also take account of her financial losses. This could include a loss of earnings if she is now struggling to work, as well as the costs of specialist treatment or equipment which is required to help in managing the new mother's bowel problems.
Speak to a specialist solicitor
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in obstetric injury claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for an obstetric anal sphincter injury.
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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