What Constitutes Medical Negligence in CES?

Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency requiring accurate and timely management from the appearance of early symptoms through to the completion of surgery where appropriate.

Cauda equina syndrome responses

A patient who is developing cauda equina syndrome requires early recognition of and urgent response to their symptoms if they are to recover any function which is lost due to the compression of their cauda equina nerves.

A failure on the part of medical professionals at the key stages can result in a devastating outcome for the patient and a legal claim for compensation on behalf of the patient.

Negligence in cauda equina syndrome

• Where a patient attends their GP or A&E practitioner with early possible symptoms of cauda euqina syndrome such as pain and tingling in one or both legs and alteration of urinary function, they should be examined or questioned about other symptoms – such as perineal and perianal sensation, ankle reflexes and anal squeeze. A failure to do so may be considered negligent.
• If the patient is experiencing possible early symptoms but insufficient to warrant an immediate MRI referral, they should be warned of the red flag symptoms to look out for (such as urinary dysfunction, tingling around the perineum and anus, bilateral leg symptoms) and advised to attend A&E as a matter of emergency should these symptoms start to develop. A failure to warn of additional symptoms and the emergency nature of such symptoms could constitute medical negligence.
• A failure to refer a patient with definite symptoms of cauda equina syndrome for an emergency MRI scan may be considered negligent if the patient subsequently develops complete cauda equina syndrome before surgery can be undertaken
• If surgery is delayed once a confirmed diagnosis has been achieved, the relevant hospital may be considered to have provided substandard care. Decompression of the cauda equina nerves is a medical emergency where the patient retains some urinary function and a failure to respond in this way may leave the patient with a poor long-term outcome and be considered as negligent.
• Incompetent surgery where the patient is left with worse symptoms than should otherwise have been the case

Speak to a specialist solicitor

If you or a loved one are suffering the appalling long-term symptoms of cauda equina syndrome which could have been treated more promptly, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.

We have supported numerous successful claims for negligence in the treatment of cauda equina syndrome and would be happy to advise you.

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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