To claim compensation for a 3rd degree tear Bristol, please contact us today. We deal exclusively with medical negligence and personal injury claims, meaning we are experts in our field.
Is my 3rd degree tear negligent?
You will not have grounds for a medical negligence claim just because you have sustained a 3rd degree tear. Perineal tears, including 3rd degree tears, are a risk associated with vaginal delivery. Not everyone will have a 3rd degree tear, but it is certainly possible, especially if it is your first vaginal birth or you have an assisted delivery.
What are 3rd degree tear claims?
However, it is true that 3rd degree tears sustained during childbirth are a common source of litigation in the UK. Such claims do not normally arise because the tear has happened. Rather, 3rd degree tear claims are made because medical practitioners acted negligently when diagnosing and treating the injury.
In the UK, a 3rd degree tear should be diagnosed at the time of delivery. The injury should then be repaired shortly after a diagnosis is made. This treatment should be performed by an experienced obstetrician, not a midwife. If this level of care is achieved, there is a good chance that a woman with a 3rd degree tear will make a good recovery.
Sometimes, however, a 3rd degree tear is not diagnosed. This means that it is left untreated, causing a patient to have a defect in her anal sphincter. This will impair her ability to control the passing of wind and faeces. This is a very serious injury and can result in permanent complications. If a 3rd degree tear is not diagnosed, there will be a case of medical negligence.
There are also times when a 3rd degree tears arises because the actions of medical practitioners contributed towards the injury. A common example of this is when a patient is given a midline episiotomy, rather than a medio-lateral episiotomy. Midline episiotomies can increase the severity of a perineal tear, and for this reason it is no longer accepted practice in the UK.
How do I know if I can claim?
It is not always easy to know whether you have grounds for a medical negligence claim. To find out, it is best to contact a solicitor who specialises in clinical negligence law. After discussing the details of your care, a solicitor will tell you if you are entitled to compensation.