Is a Femoral Nerve Injury Negligent?
A patient's life can be significantly affected by an injury to the femoral nerve. If this is due to negligent surgery, it may be appropriate to consider making a claim for compensation.
What is the effect of damage to the femoral nerve?
If the femoral nerve is severely damaged, it can cause the patient to suffer a range of symptoms including the following:
- Loss of feeling in the affected leg
- Weakness in the affected leg
- Difficulties with knee bending
- Loss of movement in the affected leg
- Reduced or loss of mobility
The on-going impact of such symptoms has the potential to affect the patient's daily life dramatically. It may become very difficult to walk, drive, travel and attend work. In the home, it may be difficult to go upstairs and carry out household chores as the patient may risk falling over.
Why is the femoral nerve so significant?
The femoral nerve has a very important role in making the legs work. One of its functions is to provide movement instructions to the thigh muscles, allowing the legs to extend and the knees to flex. It also contributes to the experience of sensation in the legs and feet.
How is the femoral nerve damaged?
The femoral nerve can be damaged in an accident, such as a car accident.
However, it can also become damaged during the course of surgery which is carried out in proximity to the nerve.
The femoral nerve travels from the lumbar region of the back through the pelvic region to reach the thigh where it separates to provide function to various areas of the legs and feet. It is, therefore, exposed to injury during surgery in these areas.
The surgical procedures most likely to cause femoral nerve injury include abdominal surgery such as a hysterectomy, pelvic surgery and a hip replacement.
The femoral nerve can become compressed or stretched during surgery. Compression of the femoral nerve may also be a consequence of prolonged or inappropriate positioning of the patient during an extended surgical procedure.
Occasionally the femoral nerve may be accidentally cut during surgery and recovery may not be possible.
Is it negligent?
An injury to the femoral nerve may be considered to be negligent if it can be shown that the techniques, positioning, instruments or amount of time used during surgery were the cause of or contributed to the injury.
It may also be considered negligent if the injury passed unobserved meaning that an opportunity to repair the damage was missed.
Making a claim for compensation
If the patient recovers from the injury and continues to have function in the affected leg, making a compensation claim would probably not be appropriate. If the patient suffers severe, long-term problems as a result of their injury, it may be appropriate to make a claim.
If you or a loved one are struggling with the impact of a femoral nerve injury caused during surgery, contact us to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor. We will be able to advise you as to whether or not it would be suitable to make a compensation claim.
Can We Help You With A Medical Negligence Enquiry?
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.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
"I would like to say a big thank you to you for making this whole process easy and relatively painless. You kept me informed throughout and you were always polite and courteous in all forms of communication. I would not hesitate to recommend you to friends and family, so a really big thank you and I wish you all the best in the future."
Mr A.
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
Free Medical Negligence Guide
'7 Questions You Must Ask Before Choosing A Medical Negligence Solicitor'