Permanent Neurological Losses and Cauda Equina Negligence
Negligent medical care of cauda equina compression can leave a patient with permanent lower body dysfunction. It might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Neurological impact of cauda equina compression
The permanent neurological losses associated with cauda equina syndrome are life-changing. The cauda equina nerves are fundamental to the recognition of sensation and the initiation of muscle movement in the lower body and a loss of nerve function can result in catastrophic neurological symptoms including the following:
- Loss of lower body mobility or paralysis
- Incontinence of wind and faeces
- Loss of bladder sensation and incontinence of urine
- Loss of sexual sensation and function
This is not to mention the psychological and emotional impact of such severe disability and such a wide-ranging loss of function and quality of life.
Medical negligence and cauda equina syndrome
A timely and effective response by medical professionals to cauda equina compression is key to a patient achieving the best possible outcome. Likewise, poor-quality or negligent medical care can allow a patient's nerve compression and function losses to increase before diagnosis and surgery are completed.
A failure of medical care at any stage can prove life-changing:
- A failure to recognise or suspect the early symptoms of cauda equina compression can leave a patient with a misdiagnosis, allowing time for the condition to deteriorate before an accurate diagnosis is achieved
- A failure to understand the urgency associated with this condition can delay the arranging of an MRI scan for confirmation of the underlying cause
- A failure to warn a patient of the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome may mean that they do not attend hospital as a matter of emergency should those symptoms develop
- A delay in arranging decompression surgery can mean that the compression worsens and the patient is left with permanent neurological symptoms due to substandard medical care.
Claiming compensation
If a patient suffers a poor long-term outcome due to substandard medical care, they are entitled by law to claim compensation for the impact which they would not have suffered but for the negligence.
For example, if a patient has suffered mobility losses due to a delay in surgery and their ability to work has been compromised as a result, their financial losses, both past and future, would be taken into account in a successful claim.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice. If you or a loved one are struggling with the shocking impact of cauda equina syndrome due to negligent medical care, contact us to talk to a specialist solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
Contact us if you or a loved one are struggling with the impact of cauda equina syndrome due to negligent medical care.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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