Can I sue for a perineal tear?

You are here: Home » Can I sue for a perineal tear?

Making a perineal tear compensation claim

Can I sue for a perineal tear? Find out by contacting our free medical negligence helpline on 0333 888 0412 for a free case assessment and details of No Win, No Fee funding. Our team includes specialist solicitor Caroline Webber-Brown who recovered £350,000 compensation for a mother following a hospital’s failure to diagnose and repair a 4th degree perineal tear.

A perineal tear is an injury to the skin or muscle between the vagina and anus that can occur during childbirth. There are four categories of tears:

  • 1st degree perineal tear: where the tear is small and skin deep.
  • 2nd degree perineal tear: where the tear is deeper and affects the muscle of the perineum.
  • 3rd degree perineal tear: where the tear is deep, affecting the muscle of the perineum and the anus.
  • 4th degree perineal tear: where the tear goes further into the lining of the anus or bowel.

Although it is difficult to determine during childbirth whether a mother is going to tear or not, there are some recognised risk factors, such as:

  • A mother’s first vaginal birth;
  • A baby who weighs over 4kg (9lb);
  • A long second stage (when the mother pushes the baby out);
  • A delivery which requires forceps or vacuum assistance; and
  • Where a baby’s shoulder is stuck behind the pubic bone during delivery, known as shoulder dystocia.

An episiotomy may be performed to prevent a severe tear or speed up the delivery process. This involves making a cut in the area between the vagina and anus (perineum) during childbirth to allow a wider opening of the vagina. However, episiotomies are not routinely performed.

If a perineal tear occurs, it is not a problem in itself, but the aftercare during the recovery period is crucial. Poor aftercare can have significant consequences for the mother’s health and wellbeing.

How we can help you

Doctors and midwives are responsible for mothers during childbirth and owe a duty of care. If that duty has been breached, causing harm or injury to a mother, it may amount to medical negligence.

Examples of the circumstances in which a mother may be entitled bring a claim for medical negligence after suffering a perineal tear include:

  • failure to advise on the risks before birth;
  • failure to identify and repair a tear in the correct time frame;
  • failure to correctly identify the severity of a tear, and treat the tear appropriately; and
  • failure to respond to abnormal symptoms or signs of infection.

Our department includes Oliver Thorne, a specialist birth injury lawyer and AvMA panel member, along with Legal 500 recommended solicitor Caroline Webber-Brown. They lead a team that deals with compensation claims for mothers who have sustained a perineal tear injury during childbirth, caused or exacerbated by substandard medical care.

So, if you require further guidance on the question, ‘Can I sue for a perineal tear?’ then get in touch with our team of specialist lawyers. We will review your case free of charge to establish whether you have a case for making a medical negligence claim and provide you with details of our popular No Win, No Fee funding scheme.

Call our free helpline on 0333 888 0412 or email details of your case to us in complete confidence at [email protected]. 

Can I sue for a perineal tear?

Free Consultation

Get your free consultation by:

  1. Phoning our confidential helpline on freephone 0333 888 0412
  2. Sending details of your case to [email protected]
  3. Completing our online form:

How to Start Your Claim

Starting your medical negligence claim could not be simpler.

All you have to do is contact our friendly team for a free consultation. We will then walk you through the process. It's as easy as 1-2-3.

  1. We will assess the legal merits of your case, and tell you if we can assist.
  2. We will explain how No Win, No Fee funding works.
  3. When you are ready to go ahead, we will begin preparing your case.

What our clients say about us

We have over 1,200 reviews and an overall five-star rating on the independent legal review website, ReviewSolicitors.

Here is just a short selection of some of the reviews that our clients have left for our clinical negligence team:

Maddy Lawrence

“With the premature death of our eldest daughter, as it turned out, by clinical negligence, we were facing a very difficult journey both in proving fault and keeping heart and soul together. That we were able to, in terms of the fault element, was down to our professional legal team. They provided clear, calm and compassionate advice which got us through a horrendous inquest and subsequent legal maneuverers. They, in short, were magnificent and we are extremely grateful that we had them on our side.”

Great firm!

“I had an experience with Oliver Thorne who was nothing but helpful with settling my claim. He was very patient and professional as well as making sure I was happy and content throughout the whole process! Would highly recommend him if you’re looking for a solicitor!”

Compassionate, thorough, and outstanding legal support thus far

”Jade was incredibly friendly, taking the time to ask all the right questions and thoroughly investigate our case. Unlike previous solicitors, who dismissed us, Jade and the team at Slee Blackwell delved deeper and gave us renewed hope. We are extremely grateful for the dedication and professionalism in fighting for us. I would recommend Slee Blackwell to anyone in need of legal assistance.”

Mesh claim

“I cannot thank the team enough there understanding and empathy and the knowledge is outstanding. Caroline has been supportive every step of the way, she has informed me and kept me updated how the claim has progressed she has also had great understanding around my mental health and the physical damage I have occurred. I cannot thank the team enough. The team made this experience easier for me to deal with my emotional distress and pain.”

Thank you

“On behalf of all of us, we would like to thank you for your guidance, professionalism, humanity and kindness you have shown us all throughout this process. You have explained everything to us in clear and concise terms throughout and we are extremely grateful. We would have no hesitation recommending you and using your services in future. Thank you.”

Exceptional Service

“I have received expert advice throughout my case, the attention to detail is second to none. Their professional outlook and relatability means that I always recommend the firm. When I was unclear of any information or possible outcomes they took the time to speak with me on a personal level, confirming our conversation through email, I feel supported and understood and most of all they are empathetic, something that is often missing from large firms.”

Friendly, professional, knowledgeable.

“Oliver assisted me in the aftermath of my father’s sudden death in hospital. He helped me to draught my initial letter of complaint to the health authority, represented me and my mother at the inquest and ultimately succeeded in bringing a successful claim. I always felt I could approach Oliver with any questions and he would explain the legal processes in an understandable way. I would not hesitate to recommend him should anyone find themselves in a similar unfortunate position.”

Excellent solicitor

“I cannot recommend this firm highly enough and especially Caroline who is professional approachable and thorough, she works tirelessly and is a real credit to the firm, you are not made to feel like just a number as with other firms, it’s a pleasure to have such an excellent solicitor to represent you when you have gone through so much she is so understanding and knowledgeable.”

10 Reasons to Choose Our Team

  1. We are specialist clinical negligence solicitors who are recommended by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners legal guides.
  2. We offer a nationwide service.
  3. We have a five-star ranking on the independent legal review platform, ReviewSolicitors.
  4. Team leader Oliver Thorne is an accredited AvMA panel lawyer.
  5. We have been awarded Lexcel accreditation by the Law Society for excellence in client care.
  6. We offer a sympathetic, understanding and refreshingly jargon-free approach.
  7. We believe that clients should be treated as valued individuals, not a number or just another problem to be solved.
  8. We have close links with independent medical professionals, and can therefore ensure we get the best possible expert input for your claim.
  9. We operate a FREE medical negligence helpline which you can call on 0333 888 0412 for a free, no obligation consultation and case assessment. You can also contact our helpline by email at [email protected].
  10. We fund cases on a no win – no fee basis, so worries about legal costs should not put you off seeking justice.

Insights

Related news, blogs, information and case studies.

Related Posts

None found