The Cauda Equina is a bundle of nerves located at the lower end of the spinal cord. These nerves help in the transmission of messages to and from your pelvic organs, feet and legs, and supply sensation to the skin overlying the true back muscles. Damage to this area can severely impact the quality of life of the sufferer; therefore, urgent medical attention is required in this case to avoid long-term or permanent solutions. If your CES has deteriorated due to a health professional’s failure to provide an adequate standard of care, our cauda equina solicitors can help.
When you visit the hospital or contact a medical professional for help, you expect to get relief from your condition. For a condition like cauda equina syndrome, the sufferer may experience excruciating pain due to swelling and pressure on the nerves located in the spine. In severe cases, surgical treatment should be performed within 24-36 hours to relieve this pressure. Unfortunately, when a health professional fails to promptly identify or treat cauda equina syndrome, the condition can get worse.
Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Bladder problems such as incontinence, loss of sensation or difficulty in urinating
- Bowel incontinence
- Difficulty walking
- Severe low back pain
- Loss of sensation in both legs
- Sexual problems such as loss of sensation during sex or inability to achieve erection or ejaculation
What is Cauda Equina Syndrome Negligence?
Cauda equina syndrome negligence is substandard care in the management of CES, causing the condition to get worse. You may be able to make a claim for cauda equina negligence if your health professional acted negligently in the diagnosis of your condition, resulting in delayed treatment. You may also make a claim if you have developed CES as a result of poor-quality surgical treatment.
Most cauda equina compensation claims arise as a result of misdiagnosis. In this case, the medical professional may have failed to perform necessary tests for diagnosing the condition; when diagnosis and treatment is delayed, the patient may suffer physical and neurological problems such as bowel and bladder incontinence and permanent paralysis.
Negligent Treatment Leading to Cauda Equina Claims
Our NHS solicitors have been able to make successful claims against the NHS when medical professionals have failed to:
- Correctly interpret test results.
- Refer a patient for further tests where cauda equina is suspected but not immediately obvious.
- Obtain patient consent before providing treatment
- Provide prompt surgical treatment due to miscommunication.
Making Cauda Equina Claims Against the NHS
No matter the specialty of a medical practitioner, he or she should be able to promptly and accurately ensure the diagnosis and treatment of cauda equina syndrome. However, it is not easy to tell whether you have a valid claim or not, as medical negligence is a complex area of law, and cauda equina cases are particularly complicated.
In order to make a successful claim against the NHS for cauda equina negligence, your first step should be to speak with a specialist cauda equina solicitor. We will offer a free, no obligation consultation to discuss details of your case and advice you on whether we think you have valid grounds for a claim. If we think your case has a strong chance of success, our specialist NHS solicitors will obtain relevant medical records, make arrangements for witness statements and an independent medical expert to develop a strong claim on your behalf.
Most cases are resolved out of court by our cauda equina solicitors; but if your case goes to trial, you can count on us to prepare your case and walk you through every step of the way.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive for Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims?
There is no specific compensation amount awarded for NHS negligence claims in general. The compensation award you receive will depend on the nature of your injury and its impact on your life. If delayed diagnosis or treatment has limited how you live your daily life, then you deserve a financial settlement. You should also be compensated if you have had to quit work and lost earnings during your recovery.
Other damages you can make an NHS claim for include:
- Cost of additional care to help with day-to-day routine tasks
- Travel costs to and from medical appointments or visits to the hospital
- The decline in your libido and sexual activity
- Pain and suffering due to NHS negligence
While it is not possible to determine the exact amount you may receive for cauda equina negligence, the amount usually runs into tens of thousands of pounds due to the life-changing damage negligence can cause.
Time Limits for Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims
There is a three-year limitation period (time limit) for making medical negligence claims, which begins from the date of injury or the date of knowledge of the injury. However, if the victim is below 18 at the time, they have until their 21st birthday to start the claim. You do not need to wait until it gets close to the period of expiration; starting a claim early gives you the best chance of success.
At nhsnegligenceclaim.com, we work with a panel of specialist NHS solicitors who possess the knowledge and experience required to help claimants achieve the best possible outcome. While some NHS negligence claims are pretty straightforward and easy to resolve, others can be more complex and take longer for a resolution to be reached. We work with the best NHS negligence solicitors who will be with you every step of the way, no matter how complex your case may be.
How Long Does a Cauda Equina Claim Take?
Cauda equina negligence is one of the most complex medical negligence claims, but the process is usually straightforward if the health professional at fault accepts responsibility early. However, the typical cauda equina negligence case may be settled within three years of our NHS solicitors being instructed. If the liable party accepts fault, we can apply to obtain interim compensation payments to help cover the cost of your ongoing care, so you can improve your quality of life as soon as possible.
No Win No Fee Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims
Our goal is to ensure every victim of cauda equina negligence can afford expert legal support; this is we handle most claims on a No Win No Fee basis. Under this arrangement, you do not incur any financial risk associated with pursuing a claim for compensation. Our No Win No Fee service is transparent and means exactly what it is – you do not pay us any fees if your claim is unsuccessful.
We also understand the value of keeping you up-to-date about the progress of your claim. This is why we offer a personalized service that fits your needs; we will provide the dedicated details of the solicitor handling your case, so you have direct contact with him or her.
How our Cauda Equina Solicitors Can Help
Making medical negligence NHS claims for cases involving the spinal cord takes time. At nhsnegligenceclaim.com, we follow a have procedures in place that ensure the claims process is as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
The NHS negligence claims process starts when you get in touch with our NHS solicitors. You will speak with one of our cauda equina solicitors who is experienced in handling cases like yours. They will listen as you tell them what happened and how it has impacted your life. They will assess the strength of your claim and let you know whether they think you have a reasonable chance of success.
The next step is to welcome the opinion of an independent medical expert to gather necessary evidence supporting your claim. We will also obtain your medical records and any relevant documents that can help build a strong claim on your behalf. Once this is ready, we will contact the other party and begin negotiations for your compensation.
If your healthcare provider does not accept liability, or an agreement cannot be reached on the compensation amount, the case will likely go to trial. You can rest assured of our support all the way to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
