Claiming Compensation for Delayed Spinal Decompression
Compression of the nerves within the lumbar region of the spine can cause permanent disability. A delay in diagnosis and treatment of this appalling condition may be regarded as negligent.
Cauda equina compression
Compression of the cauda equina nerves at the base of the spine can happen suddenly. Frequently, however, it is a more gradual process, with the patient losing lower body function over a period of time. This means that, if the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, prompt decompression surgery can prevent further deterioration and may even allow the patient to achieve a degree of recovery.
Conversely, a delay in diagnosis and treatment means that the compression in the spine can continue, causing increasing loss of function such as bladder and bowel control as well as increasing loss of sensation and function in the legs and feet.
Once diagnosis is achieved, through an MRI scan confirming the clinical signs of neurological losses, surgery may be considered to be an emergency. If the patient still retains some nerve function and can experience some bladder control and sensation, surgery is required within a matter of hours rather than days.
Delayed decompression surgery
If delays occur at this crucial moment, the patient may wake up the following day to find that their loss of lower body function has become total and the optimum moment for surgery has passed.
Where possible and appropriate, it is the responsibility of the hospital to arrange the patient's surgery at the soonest moment in order to give them the best chance of a future with lower body function. If a delay occurs, the hospital may be regarded as having acted negligently.
If the patient has suffered further function losses during an unnecessary and unjustifiable delay, the relevant medical practitioners may be regarded as responsible for the degree of function loss and associated problems which would not otherwise have happened.
In these circumstances, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Cauda equina syndrome compensation
A successful compensation claim can take into account the financial losses suffered by the victim such as loss of income or the costs of care and suitable accommodation.
However, compensation claims for cauda equina syndrome are extremely complex and require the skills of both specialist medical negligence compensation lawyers and medical experts.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence compensation, to talk to a lawyer with expertise in cauda equina claims if you or a loved one are struggling with the impact of cauda equina syndrome due to delayed medical treatment.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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