A recent press article has highlighted concerns by a leading consultant urological surgeon of the failure and delays in the NHS diagnosing Cauda Equina Syndrome leading to devastating injuries for patients.
You can read the article here.
Additionally, a recent review of spinal services undertaken by Mike Hutton, consultant spinal surgeon, identified that 23% of litigation claims between 2013-2016 linked to spinal surgery related to Cauda Equina Syndrome, with the estimated costs of such claims being £68m. Delay or failure of diagnosis was the most common issue highlighted in such claims, followed by delay or failure in treatment.
Cauda Equina Syndrome is a set of symptoms people experience when the spinal nerves are compressed in lower the back. Compression of these nerves inhibits function and generates painful messages as well as symptoms. These are known as the ‘Red Flags’ of Cauda Equina Syndrome. They include acute low back pain, sciatica, bladder and bowel dysfunction, leg weakness and sexual dysfunction. The compression can be caused by a car accident, a slipped disc, tumours, stenosis, cysts and occasionally injections. Cauda Equina Syndrome is a spinal surgical emergency that requires urgent specialist assessment and intervention. If the condition is not managed in a time-efficient manner, it can lead to a range of severe permanent disabilities, including permanent limb paralysis, permanent loss of bowel, bladder and sexual function.
Anthony Collins Solicitors supports and partners the Cauda Equina Syndrome Association (“CESA”) whose vision is ‘to bring Cauda Equina Syndrome and other spinal conditions to the forefront of people’s minds, to aid prompt diagnosis and help people adapt their lives to achieve a happy and fulfilling future’.
We are proud to work with CESA, which underlines our specialism in this type of negligence case. Whilst many lawyers will have experience in handling personal injury or clinical negligence claims, Cauda Equina and indeed spinal injury claims generally are highly complex matters and we understand the challenges of the injury and the long-term consequences. We take time to understand what the person suffering from Cauda Equina Syndrome and their families are going through. The road to recovery can seem like a long and difficult journey and we can also advise on a wide range of topics such as welfare benefits, understanding what your employment rights are, disability discrimination, your entitlement to statutory care.
For more information
It is important to get independent specialist advice from an expert legal professional who knows their way around this particular type of injury and the legal framework within which to advance a claim. If you would like to discuss matters further on a no-obligation basis, please contact Rankeshwar Batta or Victoria Fullilove.
Latest news
Staying friends through a split
More couples are choosing to divorce as amicably as possible, demanding an increase for specialist mediation services and less contentious options, such as ‘collaborative law’. But is it really possible to split and stay friends?
Wednesday 19 February 2025
Read moreAnthony Collins reappointed following Cottsway Housing Association tender for housing services
Social purpose law firm, Anthony Collins, has been reappointed as the sole legal provider of housing services for Cottsway Housing Association (Cottsway) tender, continuing a partnership focused on improving communities.
Tuesday 18 February 2025
Read moreLatest webinars and podcasts
Podcast: Leasehold reform: Commonhold
Emma Lloyd and Raj Flora-Seehra explore the Government’s renewed focus on commonhold tenure
Monday 17 February 2025
Read morePodcast: Who gets the microwave? Episode 2 – Non-court dispute resolution
Listen to the second in a series of podcasts from our matrimonial team where Tom Gregory, Chris Lloyd-Smith and Maria Ramon put down their litigation weapons and discuss the importance of […]
Friday 22 November 2024
Read more