Although cauda equina syndrome is rare, it leads to a disproportionately high number of medical negligence claims. In this article we explore when you might be able to claim for cauda equina syndrome.
CES and medical negligence claims
Cauda equina syndrome must be diagnosed and treated as a matter of urgency. Any delay will mean the nerves suffer an increasing amount of damage, causing a patient’s symptoms to deteriorate. Eventually the injury to the nerves will be so extensive that the damage cannot be repaired, meaning a patient is left with long-term neurological complications.
Most cauda equina claims therefore arise because medical professionals have caused a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of cauda equina syndrome, in turn leading to permanent damage. Normally this will occur because medical professionals fail to make a timely diagnosis, ascribing a patient’s symptoms to another more minor condition, such as urinary tract infection.
If there is a delay in recognising cauda equina syndrome and it is found that a reasonable body of medical men would have been able to diagnose the condition earlier, the standard of care will be considered substandard. If this delay caused further injury – that could have been avoided with a timely diagnosis – there will be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
There will also be grounds for a cauda equina claim if doctors diagnose the condition and yet fail to provide emergency treatment. Indeed, cauda equina syndrome should be treated with urgent decompression surgery. There is only a small window of opportunity in which to save the nerves from long-term damage, so medical professionals must act immediately. Again, if there is a delay in treatment, the standard of care will be deemed negligent.
Claiming compensation for cauda equina syndrome
To find out if you have been the victim of cauda equina negligence, the easiest thing to do is contact a legal expert. A solicitor that specialises in cauda equina claims will listen to the details of your care and your subsequent complications before suggesting what options are available to you.
If there is any suspicion that you have suffered because of negligent medical care, you will be legally entitled to pursue a medical negligence claim against the hospital or medical practitioner in question. This will enable you to obtain compensation for the physical/emotional pain and suffering you have endured, and the financial losses you have incurred.
Contact the cauda equina solicitors
To find out if you are able to claim compensation for cauda equina syndrome, contact us today.