Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims

Cauda equina syndrome is a serious condition that has to be treated quickly and correctly. If your doctor has failed to diagnose or treat your condition correctly then you may be able to claim compensation.

Cauda equina syndrome happens when the collection of nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord are compressed, and should always be treated as a medical emergency.

The potential long-term effects of cauda equina syndrome include paralysis and incontinence, so doctors need to be able to recognise the warning signs associated with cauda equina syndrome. These symptoms include:

Severe back pain
Incontinence
Sexual dysfunction
Pain in one or both legs

If the symptoms are ignored or misdiagnosed the neurological effects can be devastating – decompression surgery to relieve the pressure on the spine needs to happen as soon as possible.

Our medical negligence solicitors understand the impact of this condition and can help you make a cauda equina claim if your life has been changed by the condition. Most of our claims are funded with a No Win No Fee agreement, which means there’s no financial risk to you.*

We can put you in touch with charities and specialists to provide you with a proper care package in place to aid your recovery and improve your quality of life.

For a free initial consultation about your cauda equina negligence claim, call us today on 0800 121 6567 or contact us online and we'll get back to you.

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Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims - More Information

They were always there to answer my questions and queries when I was at my most vulnerable and they persevered to obtain the best possible result."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Common Causes And Symptoms Of Cauda Equina Syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome is caused when the bundle of nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord (the cauda equina) is compressed. These nerves are used to relay messages to the legs, feet and pelvic organs.

Some of the most common causes of cauda equina syndrome include:

Tumours on the spine
Slipped disc (also known as a herniated or prolapsed disc)
Spinal fracture
Spinal infection

Due to the serious nature of cauda equina syndrome, medical professionals need to investigate and act upon any potential symptoms as soon as possible. These “red flag” signs include:

Back pain
Inability to urinate
Incontinence caused by the loss of sensation in the bowels
Loss of feeling in the genital/perineal area
Pain, weakness and loss of sensation in the legs

If any of these symptoms are ignored by a doctor or nurse, the results can be tragic. We’ll seek justice on your behalf if your life has been changed by medical negligence, helping make sure that the same mistakes aren’t made again.

What Constitutes Medical Negligence?

There are a number of symptoms related to cauda equina syndrome (see “What Are The Common Causes And Symptoms Of Cauda Equina Syndrome?” for more information).

If a patient has any of these symptoms, they should be sent for an urgent MRI scan. Depending on the results of the MRI, they should then be referred for decompression surgery to relieve pressure on their spinal cord. The earlier this operation happens, the better.

A delay in the diagnosis and treatment can lead to permanent disability, so it’s vital that the signs are taken seriously. Some of the conditions cauda equina syndrome is often mistaken for include:

Muscle pain
Prostate problems
Sciatica

Cauda equina syndrome can also be caused by negligent spinal surgery, and we have first-hand experience of helping people who have been affected by surgical mistakes make the best recovery possible.

What Are The Consequences Of Cauda Equina Syndrome?

If decompression surgery happens within 48 hours, it’s much more likely that someone with cauda equina syndrome will make a better recovery than when there’s been a delay in diagnosis.

The failure to diagnose and treat cauda equina syndrome can have serious and long term (sometimes permanent) effects:

Incontinence
Loss of mobility
Paralysis
Sexual dysfunction
Severe pain

We’ll make sure that your compensation fully reflects the severity of these consequences. Specialist care is an important part of any cauda equina syndrome claim, and our solicitors will make sure that you have access to the very best medical support while we continue with your case. We have support and rehabilitation coordinators available, who can put you in touch with rehabilitation specialists to help you maximise your recovery. These experts may include:

Physiotherapists
Sex therapists
Continence advisors

You might also need to make adaptations to your home after suffering from cauda equina syndrome: we’ve helped many clients improve their independence with changes to their house. We’ll give you advice on how best to use your compensation to make your home more accessible.

Our project Great Adaptations shows the kind of changes we could help you make to your home.

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