Life-Changing Medical Negligence and Cauda Equina Compensation
Negligent medical care and management of the cauda equina nerves can cause devastating and life-changing disability. It may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Cauda equina compression and function losses in the lower body
A variety of conditions of the lower spine can cause compression of the nerves in the lumbar region. The most common cause is a herniated or ruptured disc which presses on the nerves, but a tumour or inflammation can also be responsible for catastrophic nerve dysfunction.
Diagnosis of cauda equina nerve compression at an early stage is essential if the patient is to avoid permanent disability. If the nerve compression is not suspected, diagnosed or treated, the nerve function will diminish and the associated body functions will be lost.
Such is the crucial importance of the cauda equina nerves that a loss of function can leave a patient with permanent bowel incontinence, bladder incontinence, loss of sexual function and loss of mobility.
Medical negligence and cauda equina syndrome
Coming to terms with a diagnosis of complete cauda equina syndrome is extremely hard, having to absorb the extent to which it will impact on one's life. It is especially difficult if the extent of function loss has been caused or contributed to by poor-quality medical care.
A failure by medical professionals to recognise the symptoms and severity of this condition can mean that the optimum moment for decompression surgery is lost and that the patient's long-term outcome is damaged by the delay in treatment.
If diagnosed and treated early, the damage of this appalling condition can be minimised. If undiagnosed, the patient's compression and function loss can increase, becoming irreversible and their long-term quality of life will decrease.
Examples of negligent medical care
- A failure to recognise or suspect the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, leading to a misdiagnosis
- A failure to make an emergency referral for an MRI scan
- A failure to arrange an MRI scan in a timely manner
- A delay in initiating decompression surgery
- A failure, where appropriate, to advise a patient of the red flag symptoms
Legal advice
Cauda equina syndrome is a complex condition and compensation claims for medical negligence related to its management are equally complicated. If you or a loved one have been the victim of negligent medical management of cauda equina syndrome, you would be advised to get the advice of a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, experts in medical negligence law to talk to one of our experienced solicitors about the suitability of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
