Negligence in the Cauda Equina Syndrome Care Pathway and Claiming Compensation
The diagnosis and treatment of cauda equina syndrome is time-sensitive. This shocking spinal condition which affects the lower body can be utterly life-changing and requires competent and timely medical care.
Negligence in the CES care pathway
Negligence in the medical pathway for this appalling condition can leave the patient struggling with sexual dysfunction, loss of lower body mobility and bladder and bowel problems.
However, a successful journey through the care pathway requires attention to detail and appropriate responses by medical professionals every step of the way. A delay, of even a day or a few hours may prove to be the difference between continence and loss of bowel and bladder function.
Examples of failings and delays in the care pathway for this debilitating condition could include the following:
- A failure to carry out an examination and thorough assessment of a patient presenting with lower back and leg pain and symptoms
- A failure to recognise the possible early symptoms of cauda equina compression such as saddle sensation problems and urinary difficulties alongside lower back and leg symptoms
- A failure to make an appropriately-timed referral for an MRI scan, for example making an urgent referral rather than an emergency referral
- A delay in carrying out an MRI scan or a failure to transfer a patient to an alternative provision when necessary
- A delay to initiate decompression surgery within a suitable timeframe
Any of these scenarios could lead to a significant delay in diagnosis and treatment, thereby allowing the patient's condition to deteriorate, possibly leaving them with permanent disability.
Making a claim for compensation
Where this is found to have been the case, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
If you think that either you or a loved one have been the victim of negligence in the course of cauda equina syndrome care, you need to speak to a legal specialist at the earliest possible moment.
Such claims are associated with a three-year deadline from the date of the alleged negligence and, although that may sound like plenty of time, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the patient's medical care before that deadline is up. This can be a time-consuming exercise, requiring the input of one or more medical experts.
Speak to a specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers and a history of sucess in high-value cauda equina syndrome claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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