What is Cauda Equina Syndrome Medical Negligence?
Medical negligence in relation to cauda equina syndrome is where negligent or substandard medical care of a patient results in them suffering a worse outcome from this appalling condition than would have been the case had they experienced a good quality of care.
Medical negligence and cauda equina syndrome
Generally, it relates to anything which might have delayed the undertaking of surgery to decompress the cauda equina nerves at the base of the spine which have become squashed and dysfunctional.
Examples of poor-quality care which might be regarded as constituting medical negligence include the following:
- A failure to recognise the possible symptoms of cauda equina syndrome leading to a misdiagnosis and a delay in the patient undergoing an MRI scan and surgery
- A failure to assess a patient for possible signs and symptoms of cauda equina syndrome when they are already exhibiting early symptoms
- A failure to warn a patient of the red flag symptoms which should prompt a patient to attend hospital immediately
- A delay in arranging an MRI scan
- A delay in initiating decompression surgery
Where the above failings allow the patient's condition to worsen before diagnosis is confirmed and surgery carried out, the relevant medical professionals may be regarded as having been negligent, and it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
The long-term symptoms of complete cauda equina syndrome
If surgery is delayed in the treatment of cauda equina syndrome, the patient may reach a point of painless retention of urine, where bladder sensation has been lost, by which time surgery is considered to be less successful is alleviating the dysfunction of the nerves.
Where this is the case, medical professionals may be held responsible for the symptoms which the patient experiences due to the delays which they would not have experienced with a better standard of care.
The permanent symptoms of cauda equina syndrome of double incontinence and loss of mobility can be completely life-changing and an individual would be entitled to compensation for the financial losses and costs suffered due to the negligence. This could include a loss of earnings due to the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome and any costs of care necessary due to those symptoms.
Making a claim for compensation claim
Compensation claims for cauda equina syndrome are extremely complex and require the skills of both a specialist solicitor as well as the best medical experts.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice. Contact us if you or a loved one are facing a future with the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome due to substandard medical care.
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