Vaginal Tear & Laceration Lawyer in PA
Childbirth is as exciting as it is terrifying. Mothers worry first and foremost about their child but sometimes fail to notice that something might not be right with their own body. While vaginal tears and lacerations are not uncommon in childbirth, severe vaginal tears can lead to catastrophic harm to the mother.
Vaginal Tear Lawyer
At the Villari Firm, fighting for the injured is what our team does. We believe that every new mother deserves the best medical care when bringing their child into the world. Vaginal tears can make it more difficult for a mother to care for their new baby and negatively affect daily activities of life. Analyzing the unique facts of each case is paramount to helping to determine if the harm that a new mother suffered is actionable medical malpractice.
Call 215-372-8889 to speak to our experienced trial lawyer!
Types of Vaginal Lacerations
Vaginal Lacerations, or tears, vary in degree. Medical professionals stage them as first through fourth degree based upon their severity. In general, the higher the level of the tear, the longer the recovery can be and the greater the potential for long term damage becomes. Long term complications can include, pain, discomfort, infection, bleeding, painful intercourse and incontinence (both urinary as well as fecal).
First Degree Vaginal Tears
These are typically superficial in nature and affect only the top layer of skin. Stitches may not be necessary in first degree tears and the injury may heal on its own with simple care.
Second Degree Vaginal Tears
These are typically tears that affect the muscles between the vagina and the anus (perineal area) or extend deeper into the vagina. They are beyond superficial but less than a deep tear and tend to heal within a few weeks after delivery. Stitches are generally used in second degree tears and above.
Three Degree Vaginal Tears
These tears are generally deeper into the perineal muscles and can extend into the muscles around the anus (anal sphincter). Tears of the third degree can require surgical intervention to repair and the healing process can take months.
Fourth Degree Vaginal Tears
These are the most severe tears. Involving the perineal muscles, the anal sphincter, and potentially the tissue around the rectum, these tears often require surgical intervention to repair the damage.
Other Vaginal Injuries During Childbirth
There are other vaginal area injuries that can occur during childbirth including nerve damage, ie pudenal neuralgia, hemorrhoids, pelvic floor muscle damage, and pelvic organ prolapse. New mothers should pay careful attention to their bodies and seek medical advice if they feel there is anything out of order.
Causes of Vaginal Tears
Occurring during labor, vaginal tears typically result from a large baby passing through the birth canal (vagina). However, tears may result from the use of medical instruments that get inserted into the vagina during the delivery. While some tears are minor in nature, others can be severe. Severe tears can lead to catastrophic results, especially if not caught and treated at the time they occur.
Is a Vaginal Laceration Medical Malpractice?
The most accurate answer is “maybe.” Doctors are legally and ethically responsible for providing a reasonable standard of care to their patients. An experienced vaginal tear attorney helps you analyze the individual facts of your case to determine if the harm that you suffered rises to the level of legal malpractice.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Vaginal Tear and Laceration Injury Claims?
In the majority of cases involving medical malpractice, the statute of limitations stipulates that a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of injury. In Pennsylvania birth injury lawsuits, the two-year statute of limitations for a child’s injuries does not begin to run until the child’s eighteenth birthday.
In other words, a child who has been injured typically has until the age of 20 to file a lawsuit. However, parents who have suffered damages due to a birth injury or whose child has died due to medical malpractice must file a lawsuit within two years of the injury or death. Occasionally, the symptoms of a catastrophic injury do not manifest until later in life.
What is the Compensation Available for My Vaginal Tear and Laceration Injury?
Inadequate treatment of severe vaginal injuries may result in permanent medical complications and, in extreme cases, wrongful death. Women who have sustained such injuries should seek medical care immediately. The Villari Firm will be by your side throughout the entire process.
Our legal team has the compassion and legal resources necessary to handle cases involving vaginal injuries to women and children. Compensation for your injuries can be determined by a variety of factors.
- Medical expenses, including visits to the emergency room
- Future costs for medical care and rehabilitation
- Loss of alliance (inability to have sexual intercourse)
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma, including Post Traumatic Stress from your injuries
Contact The Villari Firm’s legal team if you have any further questions regarding the filing of lawsuits for recovery and compensation.
How a Vaginal Tear Attorney Helps Your Case
A vaginal tear attorney can help you pursue justice if you suspect that you or a loved one experienced harm that was avoidable/preventable and that didn’t meet the standard of care. We will listen to you explain the life-changing events that you have experienced, analyze the facts of your case, consult with respected experts, and work directly with you to develop the best possible strategy for your case. In this complex area of the law, put our decades of experience to work for you.
Contact the Vaginal Tear Attorney at The Villari Firm – Medical Malpractice Lawyer
At every step of the process, the team at The Villari Firm is by your side, fighting for your rights. To speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney about your vaginal tear case, call the law offices of Heidi Villari at 215-372-8889 or online by clicking here. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case.
There are no fees unless/until we recover compensation for you. Call 215-372-8889 or contact us online to get started with a free case review today.
