Clinical negligence solicitors at Leigh Day & Co have extensive expertise in successfully obtaining significant sums of compensation for clients whose cauda equina syndrome has been misdiagnosed, diagnosed too late or caused by medical negligence, leaving them permanently injured and suffering from saddle anaesthesia, incontinence and other symptoms, as well as being left unable to work. Leigh Day is recognised as one of the best firms of solicitors able to represent clients with complex and serious spinal injury claims. Seven of our clinical negligence partners are members of the Law Society’s clinical negligence panel.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) occurs when the nerves in the spinal canal have been damaged. As a result, the nerves supplying the muscles of the legs, bladder, bowel and genitals do not function properly. Patients experience numbness, loss of sensation and pain in the legs, buttocks and pelvic region to varying degrees. Cauda equina syndrome is considered a surgical emergency because if left untreated it can lead to permanent loss of bowel and bladder control and a reduction in mobility along with permanent pain.
What are the causes of cauda equina syndrome?
- traumatic injury
- disk herniation
- spinal stenosis
- spinal tumors
- inflammatory conditions
- infectious conditions
- clinical negligence
Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome
- Low back pain
- Acute or chronic radiating pain
- Numbness and/or weakness in legs
- Numbness in perineal area
- Bowel and/or bladder dysfunction
- Sexual dysfunction
Most experts agree that people with cauda equina syndrome should undergo surgery to make more space for the nerves (lumbar decompression) within 48 hours of diagnosis in order to have the best chance for complete recovery. Our spinal injury claims lawyers have successful secured compensation following claims against medical staff who have not diagnosed CES until well after this period, or who have caused CES because of negligent surgery.
Significant compensation can be obtained if the client can demonstrate there was:
- failure to diagnose
- failure to treat
- inadequate or negligent surgery
- failure to recognise post-operative complications
If you would like to talk to one of our solicitors about a possible claim for compensation relating to cauda equina syndrome please call on 020 7650 1200 and ask to speak to our new client enquiry team, someone will phone you back very quickly.
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