Compensation for Negligent Care of Spinal Nerve Compression
Timely medical treatment of spinal nerve compression is essential to avoid permanent and disabling symptoms. Substandard care may justify a claim for compensation.
Untreated nerve compression
Untreated nerve compression can cause permanent disability. Damage to the cauda equina nerves at the base of the spine is a particular concern as these crucial nerves are the conduits for messages of movement and sensation between the brain and the lower body. If compression of these nerves is not treated, an individual can suffer permanent double incontinence, sexual dysfunction and loss of mobility.
Consequently, any sign of loss of function of the cauda equina nerves needs to be diagnosed and treated as promptly as possible. As a generally progressive condition, a delay in either diagnosis or surgery can allow the patient's compression and long-term condition to deteriorate.
Negligent medical care
If medical professionals fail in their response to the possible symptoms and signs of cauda equina compression, they may be regarded as having provided negligent care, justifying a claim for the impact of the negligence.
Examples of negligent medical care of spinal nerve compression could include the following:
- A failure to recognise the possible symptoms of cauda equina compression
- A failure to make a thorough assessment of the patient for any signs of cauda equina compression when existing symptoms suggest this should be necessary
- A failure to provide safety-netting such as providing the red flag symptoms of cauda equina compression which should prompt a patient to attend hospital as a matter of emergency
- A failure to make a timely referral for an MRI scan
- A failure to carry out an MRI scan within an appropriate timeframe
- A failure to carry out surgery within an appropriate timeframe once diagnosis has been achieved
The right to compensation
If a patient suffers a worse outcome from negligent medical care than would have been the case with an acceptable level of care, they are entitled by law to make a claim for the impact of that negligence.
This would include a claim for loss of earnings where a patient's symptoms meant that their ability to work had been adversely affected in some way.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience of high-value cauda equina syndrome claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, if you believe that you or a loved one may have been the victim of negligent medical care.
Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about 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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