Childbirth OASI and When to Claim Compensation
An OASI can leave a woman with permanent bowel damage. Speak to a solicitor about making a claim for medical negligence.
What is an OASI?
An OASI is an injury which sometimes occurs during vaginal childbirth. The term refers to an 'obstetric anal sphincter injury'. The anal sphincter is the muscles around the anus which allow a woman to have control of her bowel movements and which prevent the uncontrolled passing of wind and faeces.
If a person has damaged one or both of these muscles, their control over wind and faeces may be compromised and they may start to suffer leakage.
These injuries are classified according to severity as either 3a, 3b, 3c or 4th degree tears and they can happen as the baby is born due to the increased pressure which it puts on the woman's perineum, the area between the vagina and the anus.
What is medical negligence in relation to an OASI?
Maternity professionals who are present at the birth of the baby have a duty to protect the well-being of the new mother and attention to the condition of her perineum is a crucial part of this.
Failings in relation to post-natal perineal care can leave a new mother suffering on-going and possibly worsening bowel problems which can undermine her entire quality of life.
Examples of negligent care could include a failure to examine the new mother's perineum, a failure to recognise that an injury has occurred, a misdiagnosis of an injury to the anal sphincter and a poor-quality repair.
When Can I Claim?
You can make a claim for compensation if negligent care following the birth of your baby has left you with distressing and disabling bowel problems which would not have been the case had you received an appropriate level of care.
Bowel problems can be devastating, both practically and emotionally. Many women do not seek help due to embarrassment or because they think that their symptoms are normal after having given birth.
If you think that you may have an undiagnosed OASI, and are struggling with distressing symptoms, contact a specialist solicitor. You may be able to make a claim for compensation if you are now struggling to work and suffering a loss of income.
Equally, if your symptoms mean that you require additional help or treatment, the costs of this can be included in a claim if it is found that medical negligence has left you in this situation.
Speak to a specialist solicitor
If you are thinking of making a claim, it is essential to use a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence law. This is an extremely complex area of law and your claim will require the attention and guidance of a specialist.
Glynns is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice. Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
We can offer No Win No Fee medical negligence funding which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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