Diagnosis Issues and When to Claim Compensation for Cauda Equina Negligence
Delayed diagnosis of cauda equina compression can devastate a person's quality of life. Speak to a specialist solicitor about the possibility of compensation.
Early diagnosis and cauda equina syndrome
Early diagnosis is essential in ensuring the best possible outcome for a patient who is suffering with compression of the cauda equina nerves.
A delay in diagnosis can allow time for the compression of the nerves due, perhaps, to a herniated disc or tumour, to increase, thereby causing the patient to suffer worsening loss of lower body function.
Timing is crucial and can be a matter of emergency.
Issues in the diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome
Unfortunately, diagnosis can be delayed for a variety of reasons and it is the patient who ultimately suffers.
- A failure by a medical professional to carry out a thorough assessment, meaning that important symptoms such as urinary difficulties or loss of perineal sensation, are missed
- A failure to recognise that the patient's symptoms could be indicative of cauda equina compression, thereby leading to a misdiagnosis and a delay in achieving an accurate diagnosis
- A delay in making a referral for an essential MRI scan, meaning that by the time the scan is eventually carried out, the patient's symptoms may not only be worse but may have become irreversible
- A failure to carry out the MRI scan within a suitable timeframe or a failure to transfer the patient to suitable facilities to carry out the scan as soon as possible
- A failure to provide adequate red flag advice, meaning that the patient does not realise that they need to attend hospital immediately if their symptoms worsen
When to claim compensation
It may be possible to make a claim for compensation when it is found that you or a loved one have suffered from an act of negligence or substandard care, such as the above, during the medical management of your cauda equina compression, and that this has caused you to suffer a worse outcome than would otherwise have been the case.
A successful claim will take account of the impact which the negligence has had on your long-term physical condition and well-being and the financial losses which you have suffered as a result.
This could include a loss of income where your capacity to work has been affected as well as any costs of care, equipment or treatment necessitated by the consequences of your substandard care.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience in complex , high value cauda equina 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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