If there were delays in diagnosing and treating your cauda equina syndrome, Slater and Gordon’s specialist legal experts can help get the compensation you deserve.
Slater and Gordon’s medical negligence experts are ready to help you. Contact us online today or call us on freephone 0330 041 5869 to speak to one of our friendly advisers.
Contact our medical negligence team today for support with your claim
Cauda equina (Latin for horse tail) refers to the bundle of key nerves located at the lower end of the spinal cord. Compression, trauma or other damage to this area of the spinal canal can result in cauda equina syndrome (CES).
Symptoms can include, severe lower back pain, muscle weakness in one or both legs or feet affecting your ability to walk, loss of feeling around the saddle area of your back and impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.
CES requires an immediate investigation and possible surgical investigation.
What could lead to a cauda equina syndrome claim?
In most patients, an early diagnosis and early surgical intervention is vital for a positive outcome, so medical professionals are trained to identify symptoms of CES and these shouldn’t be ignored.
Our cauda equina syndrome solicitors have dealt with many cases of CES where patients have suffered negligence, such as:
Where a GP or A&E doctor did not recognise the signs
Where the patient showing symptoms were not sent for the correct tests
Where the patient was not referred to a surgeon in time
What conditions can result from cauda equina syndrome if medical professionals are negligent?
Ideally, surgical intervention should be performed within 12 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to provide the maximum potential improvement of motor and sensory dysfunction.
However, if there are delays, it can result in long-term, or even permanent, conditions for the patient. Such conditions include:
Neurological damage
Severe pain
Loss of feeling in the legs and feet
Mobility problems
Irreversible bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction
How much time do I have to make a cauda equina syndrome compensation claim?
If you believe you have a cauda equina syndrome claim, it’s important that you seek advice from a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence cases as soon as possible, as there are time limits in place in England, Scotland and Wales.
Generally, a cauda equina syndrome claim should be made within three years from the date you or a loved one suffered as a result of medical negligence. However, there may be exceptions.
Why choose Slater and Gordon's cauda equina syndrome solicitors?
Not only do we have many years' experience securing compensation for cauda equina syndrome negligence, we also have the utmost sensitivity to handle your case with great care.
If you or a family member have been seriously impacted by medical negligence, and you feel that you're not getting the specialist legal advice you need from your current solicitor, we'll be happy to discuss switching your case to Slater and Gordon. Simply call our experts on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive.
Mr Q (medical negligence client)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help.
Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim.
Ms S (medical negligence client)
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive. Mr Q (medical negligence client)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help. Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim. Ms S (medical negligence client)