Cauda equina syndrome claims

What causes cauda equina syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome can have multiple causes including trauma injuries, tumours, infections or even surgical errors. It is essential to diagnose cauda equina quickly, otherwise the condition can worsen and lead to lifelong damage. You can make cauda equina syndrome claims if your doctor has been negligent – either by making surgical errors or delaying your diagnosis.

What are the early signs of cauda equina?

Some early signs of cauda equina syndrome include weakness in the lower limbs, numbness, urinary problems, lack of feeling in the lower bottom area (saddle anaesthesia) or lack of sexual function.

How is cauda equina diagnosed?

To diagnose cauda equina, your doctor should carry out a range of tests including a physical exam to check your strength and reflexes. They may also use an MRI, myelogram (X-ray of the spinal canal) or a CT scan. If your doctor fails to run these tests and misses your condition, you could make a cauda equina syndrome disability claim.

What are the effects of cauda equina syndrome?

The long-term effects of cauda equina syndrome can impact your sexual organs, bladder, bowels and lower limbs. Common symptoms include:

• Urinary and bowel incontinence
• Sexual dysfunction
• ‘Saddle anaesthesia’ (lack of feeling in the areas that would sit on a saddle)
• Pain in the sciatic nerve
• Muscle weakness or pain in the lower body

Our cauda equina investigation will assess your symptoms and help us come up with the largest compensation figure possible for you.

How is cauda equina treated?

Cauda equina syndrome requires decompression surgery known as a lumbar laminectomy, though in some cases, a lumbar microdiscectomy may be better. Lumbar laminectomies are more common for lower back pain, whereas microdiscectomies are more common for leg pain.

It is essential to have surgery within 24 to 48 hours of cauda equina syndrome diagnosis to prevent long-term damage. If your doctor has missed cauda equina symptoms, this could result in delayed diagnosis and a medical negligence claim.

Is cauda equina syndrome caused by medical negligence?

Cauda equina syndrome can be caused by medical negligence if your doctor fails to spot the symptoms or does not act quickly enough. Likewise, cauda equina could be the result of surgical negligence, for example, if your doctor damages your nerves while carrying out spinal surgery.

Our cauda equina syndrome lawyers can help you to find the right evidence and start your no win, no fee compensation claim.

What happens if cauda equina syndrome is not treated?

If cauda equina syndrome is not treated immediately, this could lead to permanent nerve damage. This nerve damage could cause paralysis, loss of bladder or bowel control, sexual problems and long-term pain. Contact us to see if you have a cauda equina negligence claim today.

How do I know if I have a cauda equina compensation claim?

You may have a cauda equina compensation claim if you can prove that your healthcare provider has been negligent. When we make our cauda equina negligence claims, we are looking for two things: causation and breach of duty. Causation refers to the physical injury you’ve suffered, such as paralysis or bladder dysfunction. Breach of duty refers to the doctor’s negligence, such as failing to read CT scans correctly or refer you to surgery.

To see if you have a claim, start by calling our experienced cauda equina solicitors. We’ll then take you through the following steps:

1. Gathering evidence – we’ll help you to gather evidence such as medical records, doctors’ notes and witness statements. We may even offer a medical, which we’ll make as quick and comfortable as possible.
2. Letter of claim – we will send a letter of claim to your healthcare provider. While we are waiting for them to reply, we’ll come up with a settlement figure that reflects your physical injury, financial losses and ongoing changes to your life.
3. If your healthcare provider accepts the claim, they will pay the compensation. We’ll take our fee out of your final sum.
4. If they do not accept the claim, we will take it further. It is very unlikely that your claim will go to court, but we will keep you informed. Remember – you can make a cauda equina claim on a no win, no fee basis, so you’ll only pay if we win.

How much could I receive for cauda equina syndrome negligence claims?

There are no set compensation amounts for cauda equina syndrome negligence claims as every case is different. We will go above and beyond to get you every penny you deserve, looking at your injury and the long-term impacts on your life.

For guideline amounts, the Judicial Board Guidelines offer figures on historical cauda equina claims, based on physical injury:

• Ligament damage: between £10,000 and £25,000
• Chronic pain: between £25,000 and £34,000
• Impaired agility and sexual function: between £34,000 and £62,000
• Back injuries with complications: between £65,000 and £77,000
• Severe spinal damage including paralysis and incontinence: between £79,000 and £141,000.

What do cauda equina compensation claims cover?

Your cauda equina compensation claim covers three things: general damages, special damages and the long-term impacts on your life. We’ll assess every one of these to get you the largest no win, no fee settlement possible, for example:

• General damages – these relate to the physical injury or mental trauma you’ve suffered
• Special damages – these relate to financial losses, such as time off work or medical treatment
• Long-term effects – these relate to changes you have to make in your life, such as quitting your job, dealing with chronic pain, sexual dysfunction or using mobility aids.

What are the time limits for a cauda equina investigation and compensation claim?

You generally have three years from the date of your injury to make a cauda equina compensation claim. Though cauda equina is a lifelong injury, we always recommend you contact us as soon as you are diagnosed. This will help us to gather the most accurate evidence to support your claim.

There are exceptions to the three years from diagnosis rule. If you were under 18, you can have a ‘litigation friend’ represent you anytime up until your 18^th birthday, after which you can represent yourself until age 21. If you were mentally incapacitated, then there is no time limit, and a friend may have to represent you.

Is cauda equina syndrome a permanent disability?

Cauda equina syndrome can lead to permanent disability if it is not caught quickly and treated with surgery. This can include paralysis of the lower limbs, bowel and bladder incontinence, sensory anomalies or chronic pain. All of these can affect your life long-term, so our cauda equina solicitors will ensure you get the settlement you deserve.

Can I work with cauda equina?

Cauda equina can be a permanent disability, which often leaves patients unable to carry out their jobs or severely limited in the jobs they can do. If you’re no longer able to work, our experienced medical negligence solicitors can secure you payments to keep you covered long-term.

Why choose Express Solicitors for cauda equina negligence claims?

At Express Solicitors, our expert cauda equina negligence solicitors have decades of experience dealing with claims just like yours. We specialise in taking on the claims that others will not, and we’ll go above and beyond to get you the largest settlement possible. We also work on a no win, no fee basis, and may be able to get you early compensation payments.

To get your life back on track, start your cauda equina claim with Express Solicitors today.