Incomplete Cauda Equina Syndrome Diagnosis Delay and When to Claim Compensation
Medical delays prompting a deterioration in the patient@s condition may justify a claim for compensation for cauda equina syndrome disability.
Cauda equina syndrome diagnosis
If an individual is exhibiting symptoms of the early stages of cauda equina syndrome, it is crucial that they receive a diagnosis and undergo surgery before their condition deteriorates to complete CES.
If their medical management experiences a delay, their symptoms may worsen and become irreversible.
The impact on a person@s life can be utterly devastating.
The combined symptoms of loss of mobility, double incontinence and loss of sexual function can be both physically and psychologically destructive, affecting the patient@s ability to work, to carry out a wide range of practical, personal and leisure activities as well as restricting their capacity to support their children and even to remain independent in daily life.
Medical delays in CES diagnosis
Delays in the diagnosis of compression of the cauda equina nerves can occur for a number of reasons and may justify a claim for compensation if the patient is left struggling with a poor long-term outcome.
Examples of how substandard medical care can result in a late diagnosis could include the following:
- A failure to carry out a thorough assessment of the patient meaning that important symptoms remain unidentified
- A failure to recognise that the patient@s symptoms might be indicative of compression of the cauda equina nerves in the lumbar region of the spine
- A failure to make a timely referral for an MRI scan which may be required as a matter of emergency, causing a delay in diagnosis
- A delay in carrying out an MRI scan or a delay in transferring a patient to a suitable provision
- A misdiagnosis of the patient@s symptoms, causing a delay in achieving an accurate diagnosis and treatment
- A failure to provide adequate red flag advice which may mean that the patient does not seek immediate medical help when their symptoms worsen
When to claim compensation
It may be possible to make a claim for compensation if a medical professional has caused a delay in the diagnosis of your cauda equina compression which has allowed a deterioration to occur in your long-term outcome.
A successful claim would take account of the symptoms and difficulties which you are now suffering which would not have been the case with an earlier diagnosis and earlier surgery.
This could include your loss of income, both past and future, as well as the costs of equipment, treatment and care which you may now require.
Free legal advice
Glynns Solicitors are specialists in medical negligence law, with a specific focus on cauda equina syndrome claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
tWe 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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