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].