Claiming Against the NHS for Cauda Equina Syndrome

If you have attended hospital but have received a substandard level of care, causing you to suffer injury, you will be entitled to make a claim against the NHS Trust in question.

When can you make a cauda equina claim?

Despite there being a low incidence rate of Cauda Equina Syndrome, it is a condition that commonly leads to a compensation claim. The reasons for this are twofold:

1. Many doctors working within NHS hospitals will not have seen a case of Cauda Equina Syndrome during the course of their career;

2. Many doctors working within NHS hospital will have an understanding of spinal nerve compression, but will disregard this as a possible diagnosis, instead diagnosing a patient with a more minor condition.

However, neither of these reasons will act as a valid excuse: a competent medical professional should be aware of Cauda Equina Syndrome and know the red flag symptoms that indicate spinal nerve compression.

While these symptoms are very similar to other conditions such as a urinary tract infection, doctors should appreciate the need to avoid a misdiagnosis. The necessary diagnostic tests should be performed to ensure the correct diagnosis has been made.

But sadly these steps are not always taken within the NHS, meaning a patient with Cauda Equina Syndrome is either discharged without treatment, or remains in hospital without being correctly diagnosed. If this has happened to you and it has caused you to suffer further injuries, you could be in a position to make a claim against the NHS.

Have you got a claim against the NHS?

More specifically, you will be able to make a cauda equina claim if:-

• You presented with symptoms characteristic of Cauda Equina Syndrome but doctors did not make a diagnosis;
• You presented with symptoms characteristic of Cauda Equina Syndrome but this was misdiagnosed because doctors failed to perform tests to confirm or rule out whether the correct condition had been diagnosed;
• You were diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome but treatment was not provided within a reasonable amount of time.

If any of these things has caused you or your loved one to suffer complications associated with Cauda Equina Syndrome, do not hesitate to get touch with a solicitor to discuss your options.

Expert legal advice

To find out whether you are able to pursue a cauda equina claim against the NHS, get in touch with us at the Cauda Equina Solicitors.

Please call us free on 0800 234 3300, from a mobile click to call 01275 334030 or complete our Free Online Enquiry for a no cost, no obligation opinion.

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