Our client had a history of back pain, requiring a walking stick and assistance with very heavy housework.
One morning, she experienced new back pain that radiated down her left leg with numbness and pins and needles.
At A&E she was assessed by a doctor. At this time our client had not passed urine since the night before, which was unusual for her. However, the doctor did not ask about this. Despite the new symptom of pins and needles, our client was discharged home with a diagnosis of flare up of back pain.
Our client’s symptoms continued and worsened, and by the next morning, she was unable to mobilise. She had also been incontinent of urine and had no sensation in her genitals.
The GP suspected cauda equina syndrome and an ambulance conveyed our client to hospital where an MRI scan demonstrated compression at the L5/S1.
Our client thereafter underwent decompression surgery but was left with disabling symptoms including urinary incontinence, some faecal incontinence, ongoing numbness in the left leg and left foot drop – such that she required a wheelchair.
How we helped
Our client brought a claim for a delay in diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome, including a failure to appreciate the new radiating back pain and pins and needles and a failure to explore our client’s bladder symptoms. It was alleged that, had the doctor done so, this would have led to earlier diagnosis and surgery, and therefore a better outcome (avoiding her bladder and bowel symptoms, ongoing numbness and left foot drop).
Initially, the defendant strongly denied liability but with the help of expert evidence from eminent doctors, including an A&E expert, Neurosurgeon and Urologist, our client was successful in her claim and recovered over £500,000 in compensation.
This compensation has allowed our client to obtain more suitable accommodation that meets her wheelchair needs and has enabled the provision of care and assistance for the rest of her life.
How can we help you?
Every year, we help lots of clients to claim the compensation they deserve. This case study is an example of how we have helped a client claim compensation for missed or delayed diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome in the past. Please be aware that the compensation amounts depend on the client’s individual situation and experiences. To see how much your claim could be worth please contact us directly.
