Deterioration in Cauda Equina Disability Due to Medical Negligence
Cauda equina syndrome can be disabling. Speak to a medical negligence solicitor if your medical care has contributed to a poor outcome.
Timely diagnosis of cauda equina compression
Diagnosis and treatment of compression of the cauda equina nerves can often be a matter of emergency.
The reason for this is twofold:
- If there is a delay in the course of diagnosis and the initiation of treatment, the compression of the nerves may increase, thereby causing greater function loss
- The nature of the symptoms associated with cauda equina syndrome are life-changing in the degree of disability which they can cause
Consequently, early diagnosis followed by prompt surgery is essential in order to prevent worsening compression and further function loss.
If an individual's nerve compression and function loss increases during a delay in their diagnosis and initiation of treatment, and it is found that this delay - and, therefore, the worse outcome - was due to medical failings, the patient would be legally entitled to claim compensation.
Claiming compensation for medical negligence
A successful compensation claim would address the impact of the deterioration in symptoms on the patient's quality of the life and the associated financial losses.
For example, if the delay in medical management has meant that the individual's loss of mobility or severity of incontinence limits their ability to work, their loss of income, both past and future, would be included in their claim.
Likewise, if the individual requires some degree of personal care which would not have been necessary if they had had earlier treatment, the associated costs of that care or necessary equipment would be included in their claim.
Examples of medical failings which might cause a delay in diagnosis and which might be regarded as negligent could include the following:
- A failure to carry out a thorough assessment, meaning that key symptoms are missed
- A misdiagnosis of the patient's symptoms, causing a delay in the patient undergoing an MRI scan
- A delay in making a referral for an MRI scan
- A failure to provide adequate red flag advice, meaning that the patient does not attend hospital when their symptoms deteriorate
Speak to a legal specialist
If you are considering making a compensation claim related to cauda equina negligence, it is essential that you speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Glynns is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in these complex 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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