Maternity OASI Negligence and Claiming Compensation
Negligent maternity care can leave a new mother with disabling bowel problems and may justify a claim for compensation.
What is an OASI?
An OASI is a severe tear to the anal muscles which occurs during vaginal childbirth.
What constitutes negligent care of an OASI?
Scrupulous, accurate and timely care of an anal sphincter injury is essential to the new mother achieving the best possible outcome. Examples of where maternity care can go wrong, leaving a woman to suffer disabling symptoms, could include the following:
- A failure to carry out a post-natal perineal examination
- A failure to carry out a digital rectal examination
- A failure to identify that an OASI has occurred
- A misdiagnosis of an OASI, such as identifying a 3c tear (both external and internal muscle damage) as a 3a or 3b tear (only external muscle damage)
- A failure to carry out a full, comprehensive and effective repair by a surgeon in an operating theatre
Claiming compensation
Failings by maternity professionals in the care of a new mother's perineum and anal sphincter can be life changing. The woman affected may suffer urgency, leakage and incontinence for the rest of her life.
If she has suffered a 4th degree tear, the worst form of perineal tear, she may even experience leakage form the vagina and require the fitting of a stoma.
The impact on a woman's life can be physically, practically and psychologically devastating. Such injuries and their appalling associated symptoms can be extremely difficult to deal with and can sadly sometimes affect the relationship of the new mother and baby.
A woman may find herself suffering a loss of confidence and struggling to leave the house, to travel, to socialise, to do the shopping and to work.
A successful compensation claim can not only provide recompense for the financial losses such as a loss of income or the costs of treatment and hygiene products but can also provide a sense of justice having been done and the woman's suffering having been recognised.
Speak to a legal specialist now
Compensation claims for severe perineal tears are time-consuming and complex. If you think you may have been the victim of negligent care, contact a legal specialist at the earliest possible moment and they will investigate your claim.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice. Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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