Cauda Equina Compression Mismanagement and When to Claim Compensation
The medical response to symptoms of cauda equina compression can mean the difference between recovery and permanent disability. Mismanagement of this debilitating condition by medical professionals can justify a claim for compensation.
Cauda equina compression and cauda equina syndrome
Compression of the cauda equina nerves in the lumbar region of the spine can lead to a loss of lower body function due to their role in the response to sensation and prompting of movement. If this condition is not diagnosed promptly and surgery carried out to decompress the nerves, it can cause loss of mobility and double incontinence as well as sexual dysfunction.
Consequently, the appropriate and timely medical management is crucial and failings by medical professionals in their response to this condition may be regarded as negligent.
Medical negligence in relation to cauda equina compression
Medical failings which may lead to a delay in diagnosis and surgery and, hence, to a possible deterioration in the patient's outcome could include the following:
- A failure to carry out a thorough assessment of the patient's signs and symptoms, meaning that key indicators of cauda equina compression are missed
- A failure to recognise the significance of the patient's symptoms
- A failure to recognise the urgency of the patient's condition
- A misdiagnosis of the patient's symptoms leading to a delay in achieving an accurate diagnosis
- A delay in making a referral for an MRI scan to assess the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms
- A misinterpretation of the MRI scan results
- A delay in initiating surgery to decompress the nerves
When to claim compensation
A patient is legally entitled to make a claim for compensation when medical negligence has caused them to suffer a worse outcome than would have been the case with an appropriate standard of care.
Therefore, if a delay in diagnosis, caused by a medical professional's error, allows the patient's condition to worsen prior to surgery and leaves them with permanent disability which would not otherwise have been the case, a successful compensation claim would address the financial consequences. This could include a loss of earnings, the costs of care and the cost of necessary house alterations to accommodate the patient's disability.
Speak to a legal specialist
Cauda equina syndrome claims are limited to a three-year deadline within which time an investigation into the patient's medical care must be carried out.
A specialist medical negligence solicitor is essential to this process.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, medical negligence specialists, to discuss the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
We can offer No Win No Fee funding for medical negligence claims which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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