OASI Diagnosis Errors and How to Claim Compensation
Bowel problems following childbirth can be disabling. Speak to a medical negligence specialist solicitor.
What is an OASI?
An OASI, an obstetric anal sphincter injury, is a severe tear to the muscles around the anus which can occur during vaginal childbirth. There are varying types of OASI and are otherwise referred to as 3rd or 4th degree tears.
Timely and accurate diagnosis of an OASI is essential. If this does not take place, the new mother is likely to develop problems with the passing of both wind and faeces which can utterly undermine her quality of life and well-being.
Medical negligence and obstetric anal sphincter injuries
Unfortunately, there are a number of ways in which this process can go wrong, leaving the new mother with an unrepaired severe tear to her anal sphincter and the future prospect for disabling bowel problems.
- It is recommended that all women who have given birth through the vagina should undergo a thorough examination following the delivery of the baby, to include a digital rectal examination to check the condition of the anal muscles. If this does not happen, any damage to these important muscles will not be diagnosed.
- A digital rectal examination may be carried out but the relevant medical professional may not identify that the anal muscles have been damaged to some degree, meaning that no repair will be carried out.
- Damage to the anal muscles may be identified but not diagnosed correctly, meaning that in all likelihood only a part of the injury will be repaired. For example, if a 4th degree tear is diagnosed as a 3rd degree tear, the damage to the lining of the anal canal may not be repaired. Or if a 3c tear is diagnosed as a 3a tear, only the damage to the external anal muscle will probably be repaired. As a result the new mother will still suffer problems with her bowel.
How to claim compensation
If a new mother is experiencing distressing bowel problems because her maternity care was inadequate, a specialist medical negligence solicitor can obtain a copy of her medical records, investigate the quality of her care and support her in making a claim for compensation.
Where appropriate, a successful claim will address the financial losses, such as loss of earnings or costs of specialist treatment, which are the result of the negligent care.
Free legal advice
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers and extensive expertise in birth tear claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
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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