Impact on Earning Capacity From Cauda Equina Syndrome

If you are a sufferer of cauda equina syndrome, you may be facing financial difficulties, as the condition can have a devastating impact upon an individual’s ability to work.

Complications of cauda equina syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological condition. It happens when the cauda equina nerves at the base of the spine are compressed and damaged. The nerves subsequently lose function, causing symptoms that will become progressively worse as the compression continues. If the pressure being placed upon the nerves is not alleviated in time, permanent complications will occur.

Common complications of cauda equina syndrome include:-

• Partial or total paralysis
• Chronic back pain
• Numbness in the buttocks, perineum and genitalia
• Bladder dysfunction
• Bowel dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction

Impact on earning capacity

Understandably, these complications can have a detrimental impact upon an individual’s earning capacity. Often a person will not be able to continue in their current employment, and are unable to find another job that accommodates their ill health. This can lead to terrible financial difficulties as a person must rely upon a disability living allowance to survive.

What action can you take?

Facing such physical and financial problems will of course be extremely upsetting. However, there may be action you can take, as you may be entitled to pursue a medical negligence compensation claim.

You will be able to make a claim if you suffered cauda equina complications due to medical error. For example, if medical practitioners failed to make a diagnosis in a timely fashion, causing you to progress to the complete stages of the condition, you will be deemed the innocent victim of medical mistakes. Because this has caused you physical, emotional and financial damage, you will be legally entitled to pursue a claim for the injuries wrongfully incurred.

The compensation awarded for a medical negligence claim takes into account the financial losses you have suffered. This means you can recover the money you have lost as a result of the negligence, including past and future earnings. Therefore a claim will put you back in the financial position you would have been in had the negligence not happened.

Medical negligence compensation can also incorporate a ‘Smith and Manchester award’, which reflects contingent future losses and the handicap you have suffered on the open labour market.

Speak to a solicitor

To find out more about cauda equina claims, please get in touch with our specialist solicitors today.

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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