Negligent Nerve Compression Diagnosis and When to Claim Compensation
Negligent diagnosis of cauda equina nerve compression may cause a patient to suffer unnecessary symptoms and difficulties and may justify a claim for compensation.
Cauda equina nerve damage
Nerves are the conveyors of messages of sensation and muscle movement between the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to or compression of the nerves can, therefore, have a dramatic impact on a person's ability to function. The nature and extent of this impact will depend on the nerve affected and the degree of damage.
The cauda equina nerves are crucial to effective function in the lower body and damage to their function can affect an individual's ability to walk as well as affecting their control of bowel movements and bladder function.
Negligent medical diagnosis of cauda equina compression
Diagnosis of cauda equina nerve compression needs to achieved at the earlies possible moment. Any delay can allow time for the nerve compression to increase, thereby causing increasing loss of associated function. Delays in surgery for this appalling condition are associated with a poorer outcome and patients with complete cauda equina syndrome may be doubly incontinent and unable to mobilise.
A timely and competent medical diagnosis process is essential. However, errors do occasionally occur which prompt a delay, including the following:
- A failure to recognise the possible symptoms of cauda equina nerve compression
- A failure to understand the urgency of further investigation
- A failure to assess a patient for additional signs and symptoms which might be indicative of cauda equina syndrome
- A delay in making a referral for an MRI scan
- A delay in carrying out an MRI scan
- A failure to provide red flag advice to the patient
When to make a claim for compensation
You may be able to make a claim for compensation if you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of negligent medical care of cauda equina nerve compression and that the negligence has caused you to experience a worse outcome than would have been the case with an acceptable level of care.
Remember that compensation claims are associated with a time deadline. Claims have to be issued with a court within three years of the date of the alleged negligence and, in advance of this deadline, a specialist solicitor will need plenty of time to investigate the quality of your care.
Legal specialists
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in high-value cauda equina syndrome compensation claims.
Contact us today to speak with 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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