How Do I Sue the NHS for Cauda Equina Syndrome?
If you would like to sue the NHS for the negligent care you received for cauda equina syndrome, you need to speak to a solicitor who works in medical negligence claims.
Suing the NHS for cauda equina syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is one of those conditions that most people will have never heard of until they develop it, or someone they know does. In that sense cauda equina syndrome is rare, although it should certainly be on the radar of medical practitioners, even those who are not orthopaedic/neurosurgical specialists.
However, despite it being an uncommon condition, it frequently leads to successful compensation claims. Why? Firstly because cauda equina syndrome is a condition that medical practitioners should be able to diagnose and treat, yet often fail to do so in a reasonable amount of time. And secondly because without a quick diagnosis and treatment, the consequences can be devastating.
There are various ways in which a cauda equina claim might arise. Often a patient will attend a number of medical practitioners or medical organisations before being diagnosed and treated. Negligence can occur in any of these settings, meaning a claim may relate to more than one doctor, hospital or medical service. Common examples of negligence that a cauda equina patient might encounter include:
- GP or walk-in clinic fails to adequately examine a patient
- GP or walk-in clinic fails to recognise the onset of red flag symptoms
- GP or walk-in clinic fails to refer a patient to hospital for an urgent MRI scan
- An out-of-hours service fails to examine and refer a patient
- A&E fails to adequately examine a patient
- A&E fails to refer a patient to an orthopaedic/neurosurgical team
- The hospital fails to organise an emergency MRI scan
- The radiology department fail to notice cauda equina compression
- The radiology department fail to communicate the presence of cauda equina compression with the specialist team
- Surgery is delayed, despite cauda equina syndrome having been diagnosed
- A physiotherapist fails to suspect cauda equina syndrome
How do I make a claim?
If you believe you could be entitled to sue the NHS for cauda equina syndrome, your first step must be to speak to a medical negligence solicitor – preferably one with experience in cauda equina claims.
A solicitor will be able to tell you:
- 1. If there are grounds to sue the NHS
- 2. If you are within the time limit
- 3. The different ways in which you can fund your claim
If you can make a claim, your solicitor will handle the legal process on your behalf. Therefore all you need to do if you want to sue the NHS is find a medical negligence solicitor who you are happy to let run your claim.
To speak to a solicitor with experience in cauda equina claims, please get in touch with us at Glynns Solicitors.
Call us now for a free, no obligation assessment on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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