Missed Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome and When to Claim Compensation
If the red flag symptoms of cauda equina compression are missed by medical professionals, the patient may face permanent disability. When is it appropriate to make a claim for compensation?
Cauda equina syndrome symptoms
If a patient is experiencing symptoms of compression of the cauda equina nerves, it is essential that these symptoms are identified by medical professionals and that the appropriate action is taken.
Cauda equina syndrome, the loss of lower body function as a result of compressed nerves, is a medical emergency, often requiring surgery within a matter of hours rather than days.
As well as lower back pain, symptoms which might indicate compression of the nerves, could include bilateral leg pain and altered sensation, altered urinary function and sensation, as well as altered sensation in the saddle area.
If a medical professional does not carry out a thorough assessment of their patient, these symptoms may be missed, allowing time for a deterioration in the patient's condition before an accurate diagnosis is achieved.
When to claim compensation
It may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation if a failure to identify symptoms results in the patient suffering a worse outcome than should have been the case. If, during a period of delay due to medical negligence, a patient's condition deteriorates and they are left with worse permanent disability, then they can claim compensation for the impact of that increased disability.
For example, if a patient has lost control of their bladder function following a negligent delay, which would not have been the case with earlier diagnosis and surgery, a successful claim would address the financial losses resulting from that loss of bladder function.
What can I claim for?
The impact of cauda equina syndrome can be severely debilitating. It may well mean that the individual affected is now limited in the type of work or hours of work which they can manage, resulting in a significant loss of income, both past and future, which would be included in a claim.
It is also possible that the patient requires specialist equipment and treatment as well as some degree of personal or household support, and the costs of this could be included in a claim insofar as these needs have been caused by the negligence.
Speak to the specialists
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with many years' experience in complex cauda equina syndrome claims, as evidenced by the case studies and testimonials on our website.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
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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