If you or a loved one have suffered medical negligence which has led to Cauda Equina Syndrome, you could be eligible for compensation.
Here, Sue Edwards, Head of Medical Negligence and Personal Injury at Howells, discusses what this condition is; early symptoms to aid detection, and how you can seek a medical negligence claim for a Cauda Equina settlement.
What is Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Cauda Equina Syndrome is a condition where something compresses on the spinal nerve roots. This bundle of nerve roots, the Cauda Equina, are found in the bottom of the cord in the lumbosacral spine, they are in charge of sending and receiving messages to and from the lower part of your body.
The condition is hard to diagnose as symptoms can appear slowly. Therefore, a number of physical exams and scans like MRI or myelogram will likely be required to make an accurate prognosis. However, early symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome include:
- Severe lower back pain
- Numbness, weakness or loss of sensation in one or both legs
- Bladder or bowel function issues, such as retention or incontinence
- Sexual dysfunction
If detected, urgent surgical treatment is required (within 48 hours). Patients should be classed as a medical emergency. If this action is not taken, lasting damage can occur. This could lead to incontinence or even permanent leg paralysis.
How Rare is Causa Equina Syndrome?
This condition is rare. It is said to affect 1 in in 33,000.
What Causes Cauda Equina Syndrome?
There are many causes of Causa Equina Syndrome. Including; traumatic injury, disk herniation, infection, or spinal tumours. However, for the purpose of this article, we are most interested in Cauda Equina caused by negligent medical treatment.
Cauda Equina can be caused by misdiagnosis, delay in diagnosis, or mistreatment. This could be caused by not requesting further scans, misinterpreting scans, as well as surgical errors, which can have devastating effects.
How to Seek a Cauda Equina Compensation Payout
If your condition has been misdiagnosed, diagnosed too late, or caused by medical negligence, then you may be able to claim for compensation.
You may be able to seek help for the payment of occupational or physical therapists, adaptions to your home, loss of earnings, additional medical treatment, and much more. However, please note, you must start proceedings within 3 years in order to claim compensation.
We offer a no win no fee service with an expert legal team. We may even be able to arrange interim payments for you if liability is admitted. So, get in touch with our trained and friendly medical negligence solicitors to discuss your case today.
