OASI Medical Negligence and When to Claim Compensation
If you have suffered an anal sphincter injury during the vaginal birth of your baby and are struggling with on-going bowel difficulties, it is possible that you have been the victim of negligent medical care. If this is the case, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
OASI negligence
An OASI, or obstetric anal sphincter injury, needs to be diagnosed promptly after the birth of the baby and should then be repaired in an operating theatre by an experienced surgeon.
These appalling injuries cause damage, to a varying degree, to the anal muscles which control the passing of wind and faeces.
Consequently, they need highly efficient and professional medical care both in terms of diagnosis and repair. An error in either process can leave a new mother with permanent and debilitating symptoms.
Any damage should be diagnosed as either a 3a, 3b, 3c or 4th degree tear and comprehensively and effectively repaired.
The medical professionals who attended the birth may be regarded as having been negligent if they fail to diagnose any injury correctly, or at all, or if they fail to achieve an effective repair.
When to claim compensation
If a new mother is found to have been the victim of negligent maternity care which has caused her to suffer symptoms and difficulties which would not have been the case with an acceptable level of care, she should be legally entitled to make a claim for compensation.
A successful claim would address any financial losses suffered by the new mother both in the past and in the future. This could include a loss of income if she is now restricted in the type of employment she can manage or in the number of hours which she can work.
A claim should also take account of any additional costs caused by the impact of the negligence.
Speak to a legal specialist
If you think that you may have been the victim of negligent maternity care, contact a legal specialist as soon as possible. There is a three year deadline associated with compensation claims and a thorough investigation in to the quality of your care neds to be carried out before this deadline.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a wealth of expertise in birth tear negligence and compensation claims.
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.