Errors in Cauda Equina Compression Care and When to Claim Compensation
Medical errors in the management of a patient with compression of the cauda equina nerves can prove to be life-changing.
Cauda equina syndrome, a medical emergency
This disabling condition of the spine requires early diagnosis and surgery to prevent what can be rapid deterioration, resulting in loss of mobility and double incontinence.
If medical professionals, whether in the GP surgery, NHS 111 or in Accident and Emergency, err in their response to a patient who is developing this appalling condition, the impact can be catastrophic.
The patient may suffer permanent disability and the medical professional may face a claim for compensation for the shocking impact on the patient's health and quality of life.
The turning point in the patient's experience of care can be when an error on the part of the medical professional causes a delay in diagnosis. The patient may be fortunate in that their condition may remain the same during the intervening delay and the medical practitioner's error may not cause a problem.
Errors in medical CES management
Sometimes, however, during the delay in diagnosis, the patient's condition deteriorates and symptoms which may have been avoided with earlier recognition and intervention can become permanent.
Errors which can cause such an unfortunate scenario to occur can include the following:
- A failure to carry out a thorough assessment of the patient, meaning that key symptoms are missed
- A failure to recognise that the patient's symptoms might be indicative of cauda equina compression
- A failure to understand the emergency nature of the patient's condition, leading to a delay in referring the patient for an MRI scan
- A misdiagnosis, causing a delay in the patient receiving the appropriate care
- A failure to provide adequate and appropriate red flag advice, meaning that the patient may not understand the need to attend hospital if their symptoms worsen
When to claim compensation
Sometimes a patient suffers a poor outcome with cauda equina syndrome despite acceptable and appropriate medical care.
Occasionally, however, it is the medical error which causes the poor outcome and it is in these circumstances where it may be possible to claim compensation.
A successful compensation claim would address the impact which the negligence has had on the patient's life. For instance, if the patient now requires specialist equipment or some degree of personal care to manage their everyday tasks, those costs, insofar as they have been caused by the medical negligence w, would be included in the claim.
Likewise, if the patient is restricted in their earning capacity due to the impact of the medical negligence, their loss of earnings, both past and future would be include in their claim.
Speak to a specialist solicitor
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in cauda equina syndrome claims.
Over many years, we have developed a wealth of understanding and experience in these complex claims and can offer you the best advice, support and meticulous attention in pursuing your claim.
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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