Delayed GP Referrals For Cauda Equina Syndrome and Claiming Compensation
If a patient suffers a delay in undergoing an MRI scan for cauda equina compression, the outcome can be disastrous, permanently affecting their quality of life. When is it appropriate to make a claim for compensation?
Urgent referrals and cauda equina syndrome
Although cauda equina syndrome is a fairly rare condition and many GPs may not be familiar with it, it is still essential that a patient is referred urgently if it appears that they may be developing this disabling condition.
A delay in making a referral for a vital MRI scan may occur for a number of reasons:
- The GP may not carry out a sufficiently thorough assessment of the patient, thereby missing key symptoms, leading to a misdiagnosis
- The GP may not recognise that the patient's symptoms might be indicative of compression of the cauda equina nerves
- The GP may not understand that this can be a medical emergency
Whatever the reason, if a medical practitioner delays in making a referral for a patient who is developing cauda equina syndrome, they may be regarded as having been negligent in their care of the patient.
If the patient subsequently suffers a deterioration in their condition prior to the achievement of an accurate diagnosis and surgery, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation for the impact of that deterioration on their long-term outcome.
Compensation claims
Compensation claims for medical negligence address the symptoms and challenges and financial losses which the negligent care has caused the patient to suffer.
If the delay in care has caused the patient to suffer significant problems which would not otherwise have been the case, the associated financial losses would be included in the claim.
Given the debilitating nature of the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, this could include a loss of earnings if the patient is now struggling to work.
It could also include the costs of care, equipment, treatment and other strategies necessary to address the difficulties caused by possible incontinence and loss of mobility.
If you are thinking of making a claim, it is essential to speak to a legal specialist who will investigate the quality of your care and assess whether or not you have been the victim of negligent care. If so, they will further assess the impact and your financial losses.
Free legal advice
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers and extensive expertise in cauda equina syndrome claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making 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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