Can I Claim Compensation for Cervical Myelopathy?
It may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation if a delay by medical professionals in diagnosing and treating cervical myelopathy has left you with long-term debilitating symptoms.
The potential impact of cervical myelopathy
Cervical myelopathy is a condition related to the nerves which pass through the spine in the region of the neck.
The body's network of nerves, stemming from the brain and spine, provide a conduit which passes messages of sensation and movement between the brain and every part of the body.
If the nerves are damaged by compression, as is the case in cervical myelopathy, their ability to function will deteriorate. This may mean that the patient starts to lose their ability to experience sensation and to initiate movement.
The symptoms may start with tingling in the hands and will increase and spread as the nerve compression increases.
It can lead to pain and weakness in the limbs, hands and feet and increasing loss of mobility.
Diagnosis urgency
A diagnosis needs to be made promptly in order to ensure that surgery is carried out to reduce the compression in the spine before the patient suffers permanent and debilitating symptoms.
If diagnosis is delayed, leaving the patient with significant disability, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation. A successful compensation claim can address the financial losses caused by the negligence.
If a delayed diagnosis has meant that the patient can no longer work, their loss of earnings would be taken into account in a claim for compensation.
Misdiagnosis
It is important that medical professionals consider the possibility of this disabling condition as a diagnosis for the patient's symptoms. Early symptoms may be indicative of a range of conditions, such as carpel tunnel syndrome, but a failure to consider spinal compression can leave the patient permanently disabled and justify a claim for compensation.
Early symptoms could include a painful neck, tingling in the hands, limb sensory losses and mobility issues or difficulties. A clue to the possibility of cervical myelopathy as a diagnosis may be the progressive nature of the patient's symptoms as the compression of the nerve increases.
Legal advice
If you or a loved one are struggling with the long-term impact of cervical myelopathy due to delayed medical diagnosis, contact Glynns Solicitors. Specialists in medical negligence compensation, we will be very happy to discuss your situation free of charge and advise as to whether or not a claim for compensation would be a suitable way forward.
Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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