PERINEAL TEARS
This is the case of a 24 year old woman who had her first child in 1996. Her son was delivered by Ventouse extraction during which she sustained a third degree perineal tear, which was negligently repaired. The hospital in the North of England admitted liability but proceedings were issued to protect the client's position on limitation.
Suffered rectovaginal fistula
She suffered an extensive perineal tear, which was inappropriately managed, broke down from sepsis and resulted in pernicious symptoms of a rectovaginal fistula. As a consequence the client suffered perineal and anal damage and underwent a number of major surgical procedures. She is left with permanent and disabling problems including bowel incontinence, dyspareunia and unsightful abdominal scarring.
She also suffered psychological trauma because of the unremitting suffering and hospital admissions she had to endure since the medical incident.
She is a lone parent and relied on family and friends to help with child care for the first few years of her son's life because of her disabling problems. At the time of the medical incident, she was not working and had no work history. She was advised that she would have to deliver any further children by caesarean section. She entered the workforce when her son started junior school and slowly rebuilt her life following the traumatic 5 years that following from the events that took place around the time of her son's delivery.
The Defendant admitted liability and the case settled for £135,000.
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