Perineal Tear Claims
The perineum is the area between the vagina and the anus. The perineum can tear during childbirth.
Sometimes a cut is be made during labour to this area to assist with delivery (known as an episiotomy). This can extend and become a tear. Serious tears may be able to be repaired surgically.
Tears to the perineum can be extensive and can extend into the anal canal and rectum (known as a fourth-degree tear). Tears can cause significant physical and psychological consequences with ongoing issues with continence (both urinary and faecal) and sexual function. There can also be issues with infection.
Whilst some degree of perineal tearing is common during birth and not a matter of any negligence, claims for medical negligence can arise where:
- There were failures to minimise the risk of tearing (such as a protective episiotomy).
- There was a failure to diagnose and repair a tear in sufficient time such that repair and reconstruction surgery was less successful than it would have been had it been done earlier.
- A tear was misdiagnosed as a less severe tear and so not treated properly.
- There was a failure to diagnose infection resulting from a tear.
These situations can leave the affected woman with permanent problems.
To bring a successful claim it has to be proven that the care provided was below a reasonable standard and that this caused or worsened the tear or otherwise caused injury.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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