When Can I Claim Compensation for an OASI?
An obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) can cause life-changing damage to a new mother. When is it appropriate to make a claim for compensation?
What is an OASI?
An obstetric anal sphincter injury is experienced by a minority of women who give birth through the vagina. Caused by the pressure created when the baby passes out of the vagina, an OASI is a tear which starts at the vagina, travels across the perineum and causes some degree of damage to the anal sphincter muscles. Depending on the severity of the tear, it may damage only the external muscle or it may tear through both external and internal muscles and damage the lining of the anal canal.
The effect of damage to the anal muscles is to reduce the woman's control over her bowel movements and may even render her incontinent and requiring a stoma to provide bowel function.
OASI negligence
It might be appropriate to make a claim for negligence in relation to an OASI if your tear has not received adequate medical attention. Severe tears of this nature need to be diagnosed accurately shortly after the birth of the baby. This should be followed by an effective repair. If these two actions do not take place, leaving the new mother with on-going and debilitating symptoms, it might be possible to make a claim.
When to make a claim
It is important to be aware that claims for medical negligence must be initiated within three years of the date of the alleged negligence. If you believe you may have a claim for negligence, it is vital that you contact a specialist solicitor well in advance of this date so that they can investigate the quality of your maternity care and the validity of your claim.
Specialist medical negligence solicitors
If you are making a claim for medical negligence, it is advisable to engage the services of a specialist solicitor. They will be able to judge the nature and validity of your claim and access medical experts who will assess the quality of your maternity care.
Glynns Solicitors
Glynns is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of specialised and experienced lawyers.
Contact us to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the quality of your maternity care 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.
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