Negligent Cauda Equina Deterioration and Claiming Compensation
Early diagnosis of cauda equina compression can save the patient from a lifetime of disability. Negligent medical delays in diagnosis and treatment may justify a claim for compensation.
Diagnosing cauda equina compression
Compression of the cauda equina nerves at the base of the spine can be a medical emergency. Early diagnosis is crucial. With increasing pressure and compression, the ability of the nerves can deteriorate over time, leaving the patient with increasing loss of function in the lower body.
Symptoms which might indicate that a patient is developing cauda equina compression and might justify a referral for an MRI scan as a matter of emergency could include the following:
- Lower back and leg pain
- Altered sensation in the legs
- Altered sensation in the saddle area
- Urinary and bladder dysfunction
- Reduced awareness of needing to go to the toilet
An MRI scan is essential to the diagnosis of cauda equina compression. A delay in referral means a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
A delay at this stage which allows a patient to deteriorate may be regarded as negligent.
Negligent medical care of cauda equina compression
If medical professionals have the opportunity to investigate, diagnose and treat this shocking condition but fail to do so or cause a delay in doing so, they may be regarded as negligent. If the patient suffers a deterioration of their condition and their long-term outcome because of these medical delays, they may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Negligent medical care may occur at the following points:
- A failure to examine
- A failure to make a referral for an MRI scan when it would generally be regarded as necessary
- A misdiagnosis of the patient's symptoms
- A failure to advise red flag symptoms
- A delay in carrying out an MRI scan
- A delay initiating surgery
When to claim compensation
If delays in diagnosis and treatment have allowed the patient's condition to deteriorate and for them to suffer a worse outcome than would otherwise have been the case, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
A successful claim would include any financial losses, such as loss of income, in so far as they have been caused by the negligent medical care.
Legal advice
Making a claim for compensation for medical negligence needs to be initiated within three years from the date of the alleged negligence. A specialist solicitor will need plenty of time before this limitation date in which to investigate the quality of the patient's care.
Don't hesitate. Contact Glynns, specialists in medical negligence law, if you believe that you have been the victim of 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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