If your third degree tear was repaired to a poor standard, you could be entitled to claim compensation for the damage this has caused you. To find out more, get in touch with a medical negligence solicitor without delay.
Repairing a third degree tear
A third degree tear is when a woman’s perineum tears during a vaginal delivery. This tear extends to the external anal sphincter which, if left untreated, will lead to incontinence of faeces and flatus (wind).
To ensure these complications do not develop, it is essential that a third degree tear is diagnosed and treated shortly after the delivery. The injury should be detected by a midwife or doctor during a routine examination. The laceration should then be sutured together in theatre by an experienced surgeon.
Claiming for a poor third degree tear repair
Repairing a third degree tear is a complex procedure so it is important a repair is carried by a skilled surgeon. It is not sufficient for a repair to be carried out by a midwife in the delivery suite.
As long as a good repair is carried out before a woman leaves hospital, there is a good chance she will go on to make a full recovery. Some, however, will suffer a poor functional result, despite having a primary repair (meaning a repair that is performed soon after the injury occurs).
If a woman does experience complications, even though her third degree tear was diagnosed and treated, it is possible that the surgeon carried out a substandard repair. For example, the surgeon may have failed to unite the full length of the sphincter. Because there is a remaining defect, sphincter control will be compromised and the following problems will arise:-
- Faecal urgency;
- Faecal leakage;
- Inability to control flatus;
- Incontinence of faeces.
If a third degree tear is poorly repaired and complications develop, there may be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
Expert legal advice
If you believe your third degree tear was poorly repaired, you need to speak to a solicitor without delay. We are specialists in birth injury claims and will be able to suggest what options are available to you.
If we suspect that you have been the innocent victim of negligence medical care, we will help you pursue a claim against the hospital in question. This will allow you to recover compensation for the pain, suffering and financial damage you have incurred.
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Call us now on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile click to call 01275 334030) or complete our Free Online Enquiry.
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