Coping With OASI Symptoms - Claiming Compensation for Maternity Negligence
Suffering a severe birth tear can be an unexpected and shocking outcome of vaginal childbirth. If negligent medical care leaves a new mother with on-going, and possibly worsening, symptoms, it can be extremely hard to cope. Where appropriate, a claim for compensation can make a big difference.
The distress and difficulties of anal sphincter damage
Many of the distressing and debilitating symptoms of an obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) are not obvious to people other than the woman affected by this terrible outcome of vaginal childbirth. Nonetheless, the combination of both physical and psychological damage can make everyday life very difficult to navigate.
An OASI during childbirth causes damage to the muscles which control and prevent bowel movement. Consequently, if medical services fail to diagnose and repair this injury, the new mother may face the impact of incontinence of both wind and faeces. This can affect her life in a variety of ways:
- Complex issues of managing personal hygiene on a daily basis
- The need for easy and close access to a toilet
- A loss of self-confidence alongside anxiety and depression
- Pressure on personal relationships
- Reluctance to leave their home leading to social isolation
- Difficulties bonding with and supporting their baby
- Difficulties with travel
- Reliance on support from family and friends
- Loss of employment or restriction in the duration and nature of employment which is now possible
- Loss of income
How a compensation claim can help
For many women who have felt let down by their maternity care, a successful compensation claim can provide a sense that their concerns have been listened to, recognised and taken seriously.
If the new mother and her family are experiencing financial difficulties because her earning capacity has been reduced by her symptoms, a successful claim can provide compensation of her lost income, both past and future.
If the woman's symptoms are causing her to experience additional costs, whether due to personal care or in terms of baby care, for example, these costs can be incorporated into a successful claim in so far as they have been caused by the negligent maternity care.
When to make a claim
If a woman who has suffered an OASI has not received an effective repair due to either a failure of diagnosis or a failure of repair, she would be entitled to claim compensation for the effects of the negligence.
A claim needs to be initiated within three years of the date of the alleged negligence, so don't delay! Contact a specialist solicitor as soon as possible.
Legal specialists
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of lawyers, all of whom are experienced in OASI compensation claims. Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making claim for compensation.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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