Negligent Referral for CES and When to Claim Compensation
Understanding the need for emergency investigation of possible cauda equina compression is key to a good outcome. A delay by a medical professional may justify a claim for compensation.
MRI referrals and cauda equina syndrome
A referral for an MRI scan is a crucial aspect in the diagnosis and medical care of cauda equina syndrome. It is the key to unlocking emergency decompression surgery. If healthcare professionals are negligent in some way, a delay in an MRI scan may allow time for the patient's nerve compression to increase, thereby decreasing their lower body function before surgery is commenced.
Negligence in relation to a referral may occur for a variety of reasons:
- The medical professional may not recognise that the patient's symptoms could be indicative of cauda equina compression and fail to make a referral at all
- The medical professional may not understand the urgency of the situation and make an inappropriate referral. The patient may, in fact, require immediate attention but end up waiting for days or weeks
- A hospital may fail to refer or transfer an emergency patient to a facility with MRI services when their own services are not available
If a medical professional causes a delay in diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome which would not have occurred with an acceptable level of care, the patient may be entitled to make a claim for compensation for the consequences of that negligence.
When to make a claim
It may be possible to make a claim for compensation if there has been a breach of duty during the course of your medical care and if that negligence has caused you to suffer an adverse outcome. In the case of cauda equina syndrome, this may mean that you are now struggling with double incontinence and loss of mobility.
It is also important to bear in mind that the deadline for issuing a claim with a court is three months from the date of the alleged negligence. Before this date, a specialist solicitor will need to analyse the quality of your care and assess the nature and extent of its impact on you, if there has been any.
Speak to a legal specialist
If you or a loved one have been the victim of negligence in relation to cauda equina syndrome, you need to know that your claim is in the best hands.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice. We have a team of experienced solicitors with a history of successful high-value cauda equina claims.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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