Can I Sue Accident & Emergency for Missed Cauda Equina Syndrome?
If you attended Accident and Emergency with symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, you may have needed an urgent or emergency MRI scan and surgery. If your symptoms were misdiagnosed, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Responding to cauda equina symptoms
If you have attended Accident and Emergency, it is likely that you were experiencing fairly significant symptoms. It is possible that you were there on the advice of your GP who suggested that you go to hospital if your previous symptoms deteriorated.
If you are exhibiting the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, you should have undergone a thorough examination and may have needed an urgent or emergency MRI scan.
The red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include the following:
- Sciatica-like symptoms in both legs
- Loss of sensation in the saddle area
- Difficulty in starting urination
- Difficulty in emptying the bladder
- Loss of bladder sensation
If a patient is experiencing red flag symptoms, yet still retains some bladder sensation, it would seem that they can still make a good recovery if they undergo decompression of their cauda equina nerves as a matter of emergency.
Diagnosis negligence
If the necessary MRI scan and surgery are delayed because medical professionals have failed to recognise and diagnose the cauda equina symptoms, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
If the patient's symptoms deteriorate during the delay between misdiagnosis and accurate diagnosis and surgery, they may suffer a significantly worse outcome with the following permanent symptoms:
- Bowel incontinence or urgency
- Bladder incontinence
- Sexual dysfunction
- Loss of mobility
Cauda equina syndrome is fairly rare and some medical practitioners may not be familiar with it. If a medical professional in Accident and Emergency is faced with a patient suffering the neurological losses associated with the condition, they should seek immediate expert advice if they are unsure of a diagnosis.
A failure to seek a second opinion may be regarded as negligent, especially if the patient is sent home with a diagnosis of sciatica or urinary tract infection, as has happened to more than one of our clients.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering the appalling, long-term symptoms of cauda equina syndrome because medical professionals failed to recognise the red flag symptoms, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Contact Glynns Solicitors today to talk with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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
