Severe Perineal Birth Injuries and When to Claim Compensation
3rd and 4th degree tears can be life-changing. Contact us today to discuss making a claim for compensation.
What is a severe perineal birth injury?
A perineal injury during childbirth is an injury which occurs to the new mother rather than to her baby. As the baby is born the pressure on the vagina and perineum can cause the skin to split. This is more likely to occur when the new mother is a first-time mother, is carrying a large baby or has needed an instrumental delivery. Occasionally, the tear can cut through the muscle and extend beyond the perineum into the muscles which surround the anus. This called the anal sphincter.
Damage to these muscles is a significant injury as it can risk the new mother's bowel continence. The internal and external muscles work in combination to allow an individual to control the passing of wind and faeces. If the muscles don't work or are reduced in their effectiveness, the woman may suffer urgency or incontinence.
Medical care of a severe perineal birth injury
A severe perineal injury, such as a 3rd or 4th degree tear, is not necessarily an indication of negligent care. It is a risk of vaginal childbirth. However, as known risks, and also known to be potentially life-changing, the quality of the medical care of these injuries is paramount.
Medical professionals attendant at a vaginal delivery should carry out a thorough examination of the new mother, to include a digital rectal examination. This should ensure that an injury to the anal sphincter is identified. If an examination is not carried out, an injury will not be diagnosed nor will it be repaired.
Any injury should be accurately and fully diagnosed. If there is any doubt, a medical professional; should seek a second opinion. A failure to examine or a misdiagnosis does not represent an acceptable level of care. If the new mother suffers as a result of this substandard care, she should be entitled to claim compensation for the long-term impact.
What can I claim for?
If the symptoms which a woman is suffering due to negligent maternity care have caused her to suffer a loss of income or have required her to have specialist treatment, for example, she would be able to make a claim for those costs, both in the past and into the future.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice. We speak to women who are suffering with the impact of these appalling injuries on a daily basis and, over the years, have developed a high degree of expertise in these complex and emotionally demanding claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for maternity negligence.
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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