Making a Claim for Cauda Equina Syndrome
The long-term impact of Cauda Equina Syndrome can totally change a person's life and make it difficult to function effectively and independently. A successful compensation claim can ease some of these problems.
The impact of complete cauda equine syndrome
The appalling symptoms of complete cauda equina syndrome such as bowel and bladder incontinence and loss of mobility can have a significant effect on wide-ranging aspects of someone's life:
- Functioning independently in your own home can become impossible and it may be necessary to move to single-storey accommodation which is adapted for someone with reduced mobility
- Inability to control the bowels resulting in both wind and faecal incontinence can make it all but impossible to work in many fields of employment such as retail, education, social work and hospitality due to the need for public interaction
- For many people, leaving the home at all becomes a major task, focussing around access to a toilet. Travelling can be hugely problematic meaning that many people become socially isolated
- Sexual dysfunction can impact negatively on someone's personal relationships and self-esteem
Suffering from cauda equina syndrome is not necessarily a result of medical negligence or substandard medical care but, in some circumstances, it may be regarded as such. In such a case, a claim for compensation for the past and future losses of the patient might be appropriate.
Circumstances of medical negligence
Your complete cauda equina syndrome might be considered to have been due to medical negligence if your medical professionals had the opportunity to diagnose your condition at an early stage and failed to do so, leading to delayed surgery.
It is possible that this made no difference as your symptoms were too far gone when you first attended your GP or Accident and Emergency unit.
However, if your symptoms were still at an early stage when you saw your GP but deteriorated before surgery due to a failure to refer you for further investigation, your medical professional may be regarded as having been negligent.
It is crucial to carry out decompression surgery on a patient with cauda equina syndrome before they lose bladder sensation. If surgery is delayed beyond this point, the patient may suffer a worse long-term outcome and, if the delay was caused by a failure to recognise the patient's symptoms, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to a solicitor
If you believe that you or a loved one may be suffering from the impact of cauda equina syndrome due to a failure by your medical practitioner, you need to speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Here at Glynns Solicitors, we have supported numerous clients in making successful compensation claims for this appalling condition and we would be happy to advise you.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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