When birth injuries make the news, the focus is usually on babies. What’s less often spoken about is the harm mothers can suffer during delivery. In our experience, such injuries are common, yet many women feel reluctant to question whether what happened was avoidable or negligent.
Perineal tears are a common part of childbirth, but when they are left untreated or poorly treated, the consequences can be devastating. Women may face incontinence, loss of confidence, depression, isolation, and difficulties with intimacy – harms that are avoidable with proper care.
During vaginal delivery, the perineum (the area between the vaginal opening and the anus) can tear under pressure. Sometimes, an episiotomy, a small surgical cut, is performed to reduce this risk. When done and repaired correctly, recovery is usually straightforward.
But if an incision or tear is not managed properly, serious consequences can follow, including infection, incontinence, nerve damage, and lasting effects on sexual function. Severe tears (known as third- or fourth-degree) can cause particularly significant harm if not promptly recognised and repaired by a skilled surgeon.
When Negligence Occurs
Negligence may be present where:
Our Approach
At Cian O’Carroll Solicitors, we work closely with leading consultants to not only secure legal
redress for women injured in this way but also ensure access to the specialist care and
treatment they need.
Learn more about our cases and how we have worked with our clients to achieve life changing results in terms of damages, provision of care and accountability.
Siobhán Ryan of Cian O’Carroll Solicitors has recently resolved a particularly serious medical negligence case arising from failures in postnatal…
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Siobhán Ryan at Cian O’Carroll Solicitors recently settled through mediation an important High Court medical negligence case for €700,000 on…
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Case Study A recent case arising from a perineal tear 30 years ago offers an interesting example of how even…
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