In this guide we will discuss Cauda Equina syndrome claims. Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious medical condition where the bundle of nerves at the bottom of the spine, called the Cauda Equina, gets compressed. It is important that the condition is treated both promptly and correctly. If there is a delay to the condition being diagnosed, you could be left with serious injuries. These may include loss of sensation in the genitals, bowel and bladder problems and even paralysis in the most serious instances.
Our solicitors are experienced in helping people to make a variety of different medical negligence claims. A solicitor could assess your case and if they think you have been harmed by negligent medical care could help you to claim for your Cauda Equina injury. For help with your case;
- Phone an advisor today 0800 073 8801.
- You could start a claim online.
- You can also talk to a member of our team using our live support.
Browse Our Guide
- What Is Cauda Equina Syndrome?
- What Are The Potential Symptoms Of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
- What Are Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims?
- Can I Claim For The Long Term Impact Of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
- How Much Compensation For Cauda Equina Syndrome?
- How Can No Win No Fee Cauda Equina Claims Solicitors Help Me?
- Read More About How To Claim Medical Negligence Compensation
What Is Cauda Equina Syndrome?
As highlighted above, Cauda Equina Syndrome is a severe but rare back condition. According to the NHS, the most common injury to cause Cauda Equina Syndrome is a prolapse of a central disc. There are, however, other possible causes.
It is considered to be a medical emergency which should be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. Suspected patients should be admitted to hospital and an MRI scan may be used to diagnose the condition. Emergency decompression surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. The longer the condition is not treated the greater the risk of further complications. Complications could include incontinence and even paralysis.
Successful cauda equina syndrome claims require evidence showing that a medical professional has acted negligently. For more information on Cauda Equina compensation claims, please contact our team.
What Are The Potential Symptoms Of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
There are warning signs or red flags which could alert medical professionals that a patient may have a Cauda Equina injury. The symptoms of cauda equina syndrome could include;
- A different sensation when wiping with toilet paper.
- Numbness around your buttocks or back passage.
- Losing feeling between your inner thighs or in your genitals. There may also be pins and needles in this area.
- Loss of sensation during sexual intercourse.
- Loss of sensation whilst urinating, difficulty urinating, trying to stop the flow or otherwise control the flow of urine.
- Leaking urine or recently needing to use pads in your underwear.
- Being unaware of your bladder being empty or full.
- A change in your ability to get an erection or a change in the ability to ejaculate.
If you have suffered any of these symptoms the NHS recommends you should contact an emergency department straight away. Please contact our team about making a Cauda Equina Syndrome claim.
What Are Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims?
Healthcare professionals and medical service providers owe patients a duty of care. They must meet the minimum standards of care expected of a similar professional (this is their duty of care). For example, a doctor must meet expected professional standards.
To make a Cauda Equina Syndrome claim, you need to meet the eligibility criteria for medical negligence claims. These are:
- That you were owed a duty of care by a healthcare or medical professional. You may have visited A&E with symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome or had a video examination.
- That the medical professional breached this duty of care. If a doctor negligently failed to diagnose your condition a delay in treatment could cause it to get worse and you to suffer additional harm.
- The breach (the doctors negligence) caused you to suffer unnecessary or avoidable harm. For example, symptoms in your bowel and bladder that are permanent as a result of a delayed diagnosis.
When determining whether you have grounds to make a Cauda Equina Syndrome claim, the Bolam Test may be applied. This test is used to determine whether the medical professional treating you provided the correct standard of care.
If you think you have been harmed by clinical negligence, contact us today to discuss Cauda Equina Syndrome claims and find out if a No Win No Fee solicitor could help you seek compensation.
Can I Claim For The Long Term Impact Of Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Cauda Equina Syndrome could have a long term and severe impact if diagnosis or treatment are delayed. Delays in the diagnosis or treatment could lead to permanent disability. As such, it is vital that medical professionals take the symptoms of Cauda Equina seriously and begin treating Cauda Equina Syndrome as soon as possible.
Negligent treatment could lead to permanent disabilities. These could range from bladder or bowel incontinence up to paralysis. If you are left with long-term impacts you may require further medical treatment, require care in your home or have to adapt your home to cope with any disabilities. Negligent treatment could lead to injuries, such as paralysis after surgery.
As part of your settlement for a successful medical negligence claim, you could receive what are called special damages. These damages may be awarded in addition to those awarded for your pain and suffering. Special damages awarded for Cauda Equina compensation claims could compensate you for;
- The cost of medical treatment. This may include physiotherapy or other treatments.
- Care costs, such as care in the home due to your disability.
- The cost of medication, such as any long-term prescription medication you require.
- Adapting your home to accommodate any disabilities you have.
- Loss of earnings and income caused by your injury. Any disability or other harm may have left you unable to work for a period of time during your recovery.
You may be asked to present evidence of your lost finances. Therefore, it is important to save any receipts, invoices and wage slips connected to your injury.
For more information on making Cauda Equina claims against a hospital, contact our team. They can also further discuss special damages for Cauda Equina Syndrome claims.
How Much Compensation For Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Above, we looked at how special damages in Cauda Equina Syndrome compensation claims may be calculated. In this section, we look at how compensation for the physical pain and mental suffering caused by Cauda Equina Syndrome may be calculated. As each case is unique to that person, the amount which could be awarded in medical negligence claims will also be.
Compensation for any pain and suffering caused by medical negligence is called general damages. When calculating how much compensation you may be eligible to claim, your solicitor and other parties responsible for valuing your claim may use the Judicial College (JC) guidelines.
This document contains guideline compensation, which could be claimed for different types of injuries. Below, we look at examples of what could be awarded for different types and degrees of harm with figures from the JC guidelines.
| Harm Caused | Severity | Notes | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple injuries + additional compensation for special damages. | Serious to severe | The injured party has suffered multiple serious or severe forms of injury. Compensation includes special damages. | Up to £1,000,000+ including special damages. |
| Back injuries | Severe - A - i | The most severe forms of injury which affect the nerve root and spinal cord. | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Back injuries | Severe - A - ii | Instances where there are special features which take them out of lower brackets. | £90,510 to £107,910 |
| Back injuries | Severe - A - iii | Injuries which may result in chronic conditions. These may require surgery. | £47,320 to £85,100 |
| Back injuries | Moderate - B - i | The person may have residual disability which could have been caused by a wide variety of injuries. | £33,880 to £47,320 |
| Back injuries | Moderate - B - ii | May include frequently encountered back injuries affecting the muscles or tendons, etc. | £15,260 to £33,880 |
| Back injuries | Minor - C - i | Recovery is full and to a nuisance level without the need for surgery. 2 - 5 years. | £9,630 to £15,260 |
| Back injuries | Minor - C - ii | Recovery without surgery in 1 - 2 years. | £5,310 to £9,630 |
| Bladder Damage | Seriously Impaired control | Some pain and incontinence with serious bladder impairments. | £78,080 to £97,540 |
| Bowel Damage | Urgency and incontinence | Embarrassment and distress due to faecal urgency and passive incontinence that persists even after surgery. | In the region of £97,530 |
The first row is an illustration of what could be claimed for a combination of general and special damages. The figure is not taken from the JC guidelines.
Our team could help people make successful Cauda Equina Syndrome claims. Contact us to learn more.
How Can No Win No Fee Cauda Equina Claims Solicitors Help Me?
Our No Win No Fee solicitors could help you to make a medical negligence claim without you needing to pay anything for your solicitor’s services if your claim does not succeed. There will be no solicitors charge to start your claim and none whilst the claim is being made. If you win your case, you will be charged a success fee by your solicitor. This will be charged as a percentage of your awarded compensation. How much can be charged is limited by law, so you will keep the majority of your payout.
Generally, our solicitors offer their No Win No Fee service under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This sets out what the solicitor will do and how they charge for their services.
Contact Us For Free To See If You Can Make A Medical Negligence Claim
Our team is on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you make a medical negligence claim. For more help and advice on No Win No Fee Cauda Equina Syndrome claims, please contact our specialist team.
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- Call one of our advisors on 0800 073 8801 to be connected with Cauda Equina Syndrome lawyers (if you are eligible).
- Start your claim for Cauda Equina Syndrome negligence online.
- Use the live support chat to speak to our team.
Read More About How To Claim Medical Negligence Compensation
Here you can find further helpful resources:
- Find out when you could claim for doctor negligence in this compensation claims guide.
- If you contracted MRSA whilst in hospital for Cauda Equina treatment, this guide to MRSA negligence claims could help you see if you are eligible to claim.
- If a negligent blood test led to you suffering harm, find out if you could claim in this guide.
Cauda equina syndrome references:
- Find out more about Cauda Equina in this NHS Resolution resource.
- The Spinal Injuries Association provides help and support to those who have suffered a spinal injury.
- Statistics from NICE on spinal injuries in the UK.
Thank you for reading our guide to Cauda Equina Syndrome claims. For more information or to get help, speak to a member of our team.
