If your tear was not stitched after you gave birth because doctors/midwives failed to diagnose the injury, you could be entitled to claim compensation. For more information, you need to talk to a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence.
Tear not stitched after birth
A perineal tear must be stitched after birth. This means shortly after the placenta has been delivered, and certainly before the patient leaves hospital.
The only reason why this might not happen is if the mother has serious complications which need attending to, such as a haemorrhage. Otherwise, it is standard practice to diagnose and repair a perineal tear shortly after the birth.
A diagnosis may be achieved by either a midwife or a doctor. If a 3rd or 4th degree tear is found, the repair must be done must an experienced surgeon in theatre. If a 1st or 2nd degree tear is identified, it is acceptable for the tear to be sutured by a midwife in the delivery suite.
Tear not stitched – is this medical negligence?
Diagnosing a perineal tear should not be a difficult task for a reasonably competent medical practitioner and should be within the remit of any midwife or doctor working on the maternity ward.
A failure to diagnose and stitch a perineal tear will therefore amount to a substandard level of medical care. The medical practitioners in question will have breached their duty of care, meaning they have not provided an acceptable standard of medical care.
If this breach of duty causes a patient unnecessary suffering, there will be grounds for a medical negligence compensation claim. A common example is when a 3rd degree tear is not diagnosed and repaired shortly after the birth, as it should be.
A missed 3rd degree tear may then cause the patient to develop problems regarding incontinence of wind and faeces. If these complications can be attributed to the substandard level of medical care, it will be possible to pursue a legal action.
Want to know more about medical negligence claims?
If you would like to know more about making a medical negligence claim for a tear which was not stitched after birth, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.
We specialise in medical negligence claims, in particular 3rd and 4th degree tear claims. This ensures we have the skill and expertise to advise you further.