For a compensation solicitor in Bristol, please get in touch with us today. We specialise in helping victims of medical negligence get the compensation they deserve. We have a particular interest in perineal tear claims and have assisted many clients obtain financial redress for missed or poorly repaired tears.
Talk find out more about medical negligence compensation Bristol, do not hesitate to contact us. A solicitor will talk to you about your potential claim, suggesting whether you could be awarded compensation.
Compensation solicitors Bristol
It is standard practice to diagnose and repaired perineal tears shortly after the birth. Such injuries are sustained during a vaginal delivery and it is up to the attending midwife or doctor to ensure an examination is carried out on the mother after the baby has been born. The point of this examination is to identify any damage and action the necessary treatment.
3rd and 4th degree tears are the most severe types of tear and have to be sutured back together by a surgeon in theatre. If this treatment is achieved, a patient stands a good chance of making a recovery. But if treatment is not given for any reason, a defect will remain in the perineum and the anal sphincter. Treatment can be attempted at a later date, but it is much less likely that it will be successful.
This means that if a perineal tear is not diagnosed and treated after the birth, it is probable that a woman will be left with ongoing problems such as faecal urgency and incontinence. On the balance of probability, this would have been avoided had a repair been conducted in the hours after the birth.
Claiming compensation Bristol
There are various reasons why a tear might not be repaired in a reasonable amount of time. Normally it is because a full examination was not performed, or because the clinician carrying out the examination was incompetent. Either way, it is not a sufficient excuse and the standard of care will be deemed unacceptable.
If an unacceptable standard of medical care causes a patient to suffer harm – such as the development of faecal urgency and incontinence – there will be grounds for a claim.
Anyone thinking of pursuing a medical negligence claim needs to contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor as soon as possible. Claims must be made within three years so it is important not to delay.
Expert legal advice
To find out if you can make a claim, please get in touch with us today.