Complete Cauda Equina Syndrome Negligence and Compensation
If medical professionals have the opportunity to diagnose and treat cauda equina compression before the patient deteriorates to complete cauda equina syndrome, but are negligent in their care, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Complete cauda equina syndrome
Complete cauda equina syndrome refers to the condition where nerve function has been permanently lost and the patient is likely to be suffering an array of distressing and disabling symptoms as a result.
Loss of cauda equina nerve function leaves an individual with the following disabilities:
- Loss of ability to control the passing of wind
- Loss of the ability to control the passing of faeces
- Loss of bladder function, sensation and control with overflow incontinence
- Loss of sexual function
- Loss of mobility
However, cauda equina syndrome is often a progressive condition and, if diagnosis and surgery are achieved at an early stage, the patient may be prevented from suffering such an appalling long-term outcome.
Negligent medical care of cauda equina syndrome
On the other hand, negligent medical care can allow time to pass prior to an accurate diagnosis and surgical decompression by which time the patient may be suffering increased nerve compression and greater function losses.
Negligence in relation to cauda equina syndrome relates to a medical failing which causes a delay in the patient's treatment, thereby contributing to a worse outcome and greater loss of long-term function than would have been the case with appropriate and timely care.
Examples of medical negligence in relation to this appalling condition could include the following:
- A failure to recognise that the patient's symptoms might be indicative of cauda equina syndrome
- A failure to carry out an examination
- A failure to make a timely referral for an MRI scan or to seek specialist advice
- A failure to carry out an MRI scan within an appropriate timeframe or to transfer the patient to suitable facilities where an MRI scan could be undertaken
- A delay in initiating surgery
- A failure to provide red flag warnings when appropriate
Speak to a legal specialist
Compensation claims for cauda equina syndrome are highly complex and require the expertise and experienced of a specialist solicitor.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in cauda equina syndrome claims and a history of success in high-value claims.
Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about eh possibility of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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