Compensation recovered for a client who suffered undiagnosed labial lacerations.
Undiagnosed labial lacerations resulted in the need for further surgery and post-partum anxiety.
Sophie Angwin-Thornes acted for a client who gave birth vaginally. During delivery she was assisted with an episiotomy and thereafter she was taken to theatre for a perineal repair. She was diagnosed with bilateral vaginal wall tears, a right sided episiotomy, and a left sided tear.
She also suffered from bilateral labial lacerations which were not treated. Postnatally, our client was suffered a fused labia minora which required surgical division. Our client received negligent care regarding the failure to identify the labial lacerations following birth and provide the appropriate treatment or give our client the appropriate advice to avoid fusion, which later occurred.
As a result of the avoidable fusion of her labia, our client suffered from painful urination, painful menstruation, and a predisposition to genital and urinary infections. The same led her to refrain from sexual intercourse for around 1 year, which resulted in delays in plans to expand her family. She also then had to undergo an unnecessary procedure under general anaesthetic to divide the labial fusion.
The complications that arose from birth exacerbated a pre-existing generalised anxiety disorder. Our client told us that her anxiety became a normal part of her day-to-day life and left her scared to have further children. As part of the claim, we recovered £12,000 in compensation for her pain and suffering and an allowance for psychological therapy to help overcome her anxiety.






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