Obstetric Maternal Injury and Compensation for Negligent Care
Negligent medical care of an obstetric anal sphincter injury can leave a woman suffering devastating injury to the bowel and experiencing life-changing symptoms. It may also justify a claim for compensation.
Obstetric anal sphincter injury
An obstetric injury is one which occurs during pregnancy or childbirth. A potentially life-changing injury to the new mother during childbirth is an OASI or Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury.
An OASI is more specifically diagnosed as either a 3rd or 4th degree tear, causing the following levels of injury:
- A 3a tear extends from the vagina, across the perineum into the anal sphincter, affecting up to 50% of the external anal muscle
- A 3b tear additional damages more than 50% of the external anal sphincter
- A 3c tear also damages the internal anal sphincter
- A 4th degree tear also causes damage to the lining of the anal canal
The symptoms associated with such severe injuries are urgency when needing to go to the toilet, infections of the perineum and incontinence of wind and faeces. Understandably, these symptoms can also cause psychological problems for the new mother, too. If a 4th degree tear is not effectively repaired, the woman may even develop a fistula between the bowel and the vagina, allowing leakage to occur. It may be necessary for the woman to have a stoma fitted to facilitate bowel function.
Negligent medical care
Prompt, accurate and effective medical care is essential if the new mother is not to experience such an appalling outcome. Once the opportunity to diagnose and repair these terrible injuries has been missed, a woman may suffer permanent and possibly worsening symptoms.
The following failures may be regarded as negligent and, if the new mother is left with on-going symptoms, may justify a claim for compensation.
- A failure to examine the new mother thoroughly including a digital rectal examination
- A failure to diagnose anal sphincter injury
- A misdiagnosis of an anal sphincter injury
- A failure to repair an injury fully or effectively
Claiming compensation
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have been the victim of negligent medical care of the perineum during childbirth, you should seek the advice of a solicitor who specialises in this complex field of law. They will be able to access your medical records and assess the quality of your medical care.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers. Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about your experience and the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
