Delayed Diagnosis of Spinal Nerve Damage and Compensation for Cauda Equina Syndrome
Delays can be disabling and particularly so where cauda equina compression is concerned. Contact a legal specialist if you are struggling with the impact of cauda equina syndrome due to medical negligence.
Cauda equina nerve function
Damage to a nerve in the spine is likely to lead to some degree of dysfunction depending on the role of that specific nerve.
Where the cauda equina nerves are concerned, damage needs to be identified promptly to ensure that the patient is not left suffering the appalling symptoms of cauda equina syndrome.
Damage to the cauda equina nerves can sometimes occur when a nearby disc is ruptured or there is local inflammation or due to an accident.
This can cause the nerve to become compressed or squashed, thereby reducing its capacity to function. This will inevitably start to affect the region and function of the body associated with those nerves.
The cauda equina nerves are fundamental to an individual's mobility, sexual function and bladder and bowel function.
Cauda equina compression medical negligence
Early diagnosis of compression of these nerves may facilitate recovery and can prevent further function loss.
A delay in diagnosis can leave the patient severely disabled and, where it is due to medical negligence, can justify a claim for compensation.
Actions or failings by medical professionals which may cause or allow a delay to occur in this time-sensitive situation could include the following:
- A failure to carry out a thorough assessment of the patient
- A failure to recognise the symptoms of possible cauda equina compression
- A failure to make a timely referral for an MRI scan
- A misdiagnosis
- A delay in carrying out an MRI scan
- A failure to provide appropriate red flag advice
Compensation for impact of cauda equina syndrome
Where medical errors have left a patient with debilitating symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
As well as recognising the patient's general pain and suffering, a successful claim will take account of the financial losses which the negligence has caused the patient to experience.
This can include a loss of earnings if the patient can no longer work or is restricted in the hours or type of employment which they can now manage.
This can also include the costs of care or household support and equipment where this has been necessitated by the impact of the negligent delay.
Speak to a legal specialist
A specialist in medical negligence law is crucial to the successful submission of a claim for compensation.
Speak to a solicitor, free of charge, at Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence law, if you think you may be entitled to make a claim.
We can offer No Win No Fee funding for medical negligence claims which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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