If you have been diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) after experiencing trauma to your lower spine during surgery, you can make a Cauda Equina Syndrome claim. CES can cause severe pain and discomfort and can impact your life socially and financially. Therefore, if this impact could have been avoided had your doctor taken the correct standard of care, you deserve to be compensated for everything that you have lost. Our medical negligence solicitors want to help you to achieve this compensation.
Our solicitors are experts in handling medical negligence claims. They can offer tailored advice to fit the specific details of each claim. Likewise, our team of advisors can offer evaluations of the compensation that you may receive before connecting you with a solicitor. They are on call 24/7 for a free initial consultation. Use the details below to get in touch:
- Call us on 0800 073 8803
- Complete our online contact form
- Use our free live chat function
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Are Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims?
- Can I Make A Claim For Cauda Equina Syndrome Negligence?
- Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims Examples
- What Are Complications Of Cauda Equina Syndrome Negligence?
- How Much Cauda Equina Negligence Compensation Could I Claim?
- What Other Losses Can Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims Cover?
- The Process Of Bringing A Cauda Equina Medical Negligence Claim
- Why Make A Cauda Equina Negligence Claim With Public Interest Lawyers?
- Can I Claim Cauda Equina Syndrome Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Learn More
What Are Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims?
Cauda equina syndrome claims are made when there has been damage to the ‘horse’s tail’ of your spinal cord. The horse’s tail is the nerve roots at the bottom of your spine. Damage to this area of the spine can have consequences varying from minor disruption of your sensation to paralysis. Therefore, if a medical professional has failed to meet the correct standard of care and this has led to nerve damage or ignorance of symptoms of CES, you can make a medical negligence claim.
To discuss the details of your claim, get in touch today!
Can I Make A Claim For Cauda Equina Syndrome Negligence?
Yes, you can for medical negligence relating to cauda equina syndrome if you can demonstrate that substandard medical care caused or worsened the nerve damage. To prove that you are eligible to make a CES claim, you must show that:
- You Were Owed A Duty of Care
Any medical practitioner owes their patients a legal duty of care, which is met when they show the correct standard of care in their practice. This standard will be met when a doctor listens to their patients explain their symptoms and refers them to spinal clinics, for example.
- That Duty Of Care Was Breached
Where your doctor or GP has failed to meet the correct standard of care expected of them, they are in breach of their duty. Failure to diagnose your CES leading to your condition worsening is an example of a breach.
- You Suffered An Injury
Evidence of your CES since this negligence occurred is the final criterion that must be met to prove your eligibility. Medical records detailing the harm. For example, that your cauda equina syndrome occurred from surgical mistakes or any scans of your spine will suffice.
Call an advisor at Public Interest Lawyers to have your eligibility assessed and discuss cauda equina syndrome claims.
Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims Examples
Your cauda equina can be damaged in many different ways through the negligence of a medical professional. Situations in which a cauda equina syndrome claim can be made include:
- Surgical negligence, such as errors and mistakes while you are being operated on.
- Delayed or misdiagnosis causing your CES to worsen from lack of treatment.
- Your GP failed to refer you to a specialist clinic where CES could have been diagnosed and treated.
- Your doctor or a surgeon has not checked your condition thoroughly after treatment. Therefore, the CES that surgery caused has been overlooked for a significant amount of time.
Each of these scenarios can have serious consequences. If you would like to discuss the specific details of your claim, call one of our advisors today.
What Are Complications Of Cauda Equina Syndrome Negligence?
The complications of cauda equina syndrome range from minor loss of sensation between the legs, to outcomes as severe as permanent paralysis. Other complications include:
- Bladder disruption – difficulty urinating and controlling the bladder.
- Bowel disruption – Constipation and difficulty controlling bowel movements.
- Sexual dysfunction – such as erectile dysfunction or loss of sensation during sex.
- Pain to the nerve roots – back pain and numbness/weakness in the legs.
Give an advisor a call today to discuss the consequences that you have suffered with CES. They can help assess cauda equina syndrome claims.
How Much Cauda Equina Negligence Compensation Could I Claim?
You could receive up to £196,450 in cauda equina negligence compensation if medical negligence caused CES so severe that you have been left with incomplete paralysis. This figure and the severity of the back injury paired with it is suggested by the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a publication that legal professionals, such as your solicitor, may refer to when deciding on what general damages to award you to compensate for the pain and suffering that you have experienced with CES.
More examples of figures for back injuries varying in severity can be found in the table below. The top figure was not taken from the JCG, and none of these amounts should be taken as a guarantee for what compensation you may be awarded, as all claims are different. Our advisors can provide free estimates of cauda equina syndrome claims based on your individual circumstances.
| Type of Injury | Severity | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries | Severe - multiple severe injuries with a substantial amount of special damages incurred such as loss of earnings, travel expenses and care costs | Up to £1million+ |
| Back Injury | Severe (i) - damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots with multiple very serious consequences | £111,150 - £196,450 |
| Severe (ii) - nerve root damage with loss of sensation, impaired bladder function and sexual difficulties | £90,510 - £107,910 | |
| Severe (iii) - disc lesions or fractures of discs or soft tissue injuries leading to chronic conditions | £47,320 - £85,100 | |
| Moderate (i) - disability is of less severity but constant pain and discomfort | £33,880 - £47,320 | |
| Moderate (ii) - disturbance of ligaments and muscles leading to backache | £15,260 - £33,880 | |
| Minor (i) - Full recovery to nuisance level takes place within approximately 2 - 5 years. | £9,630 - £15,260 | |
| Minor (ii) - full recovery within 2 - 5 years | £5,310 - £9,630 | |
| Minor (iii) - full recovery within 3 months to a year | £2,990 - £5,310 | |
| Minor (iv) - a full recovery is made in 3 months | Up to £2,990 |
What Other Losses Can Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims Cover?
Your cauda equina syndrome claim will also cover special damages, which aim to cover the financial losses that you have suffered in association with your CES. Some examples of the special damages that you may receive in your compensation are discussed below.
Loss Of Earnings
It is likely that your CES has left you unable to work for a significant amount of time. Therefore, the wages that you have missed out on from not being able to attend your shift will be covered by special damages. To recover your loss of earnings, save your payslips.
Future Loss Of Earnings
If CES caused by medical negligence has caused you to be permanently unable to return to work then the salary that you have lost will be taken into account.
Travel Expenses
Where your CES has resulted in paralysis or loss of sensation and weakness in the legs, you will be unable to drive. Therefore, the public transport that you have had to rely on and the bus and/or train tickets that you have had to purchase can be covered.
Medical Expenses
Cauda equina syndrome will require ongoing medical costs either permanently or for a significant amount of time. These medical expenses will include painkillers and other medications to help with the pain caused by CES. You can also recover costs spent on physical therapy and mobility aids.
Care Costs
CES may have left you with a lack or complete loss of mobility. Where this is the case, you may have had to hire carers or cleaners to perform daily tasks for you whilst you have been recovering.
To ensure that you receive special damages as part of your compensation, keep copies of receipts, pay slips and invoices to prove that these payments have been made.
Discuss what special damages could be reimbursed for cauda equina syndrome claims with an advisor now.
The Process Of Bringing A Cauda Equina Medical Negligence Claim
To bring a cauda equina medical negligence claim, you will need sufficient evidence to prove the substandard care provided by the medical professional and the extent of the harm that this caused to your spine and nerves. You will also need to ensure that you are bringing your medical negligence claim within the legal limitation period. Details of evidence and time limits are discussed further below.
Evidence To Prove Negligence In Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims
For a successful medical negligence claim, the evidence that you bring will need to strongly support your claim that substandard care caused your cauda equina syndrome. This evidence can include medical records and X-rays detailing the harm that you have suffered. It can also include correspondence between you and the medical institution.
More examples of the evidence that you can begin to gather to support your claim can be found in our dedicated guide on how to prove medical negligence.
How Long Will I Have To Bring A Claim For Cauda Equina Compensation?
To bring a claim for cauda equina compensation, you will have 3 years. This deadline will begin from the date that the negligence of a medical professional caused your cauda equina syndrome. Alternatively, if you only became aware that your cauda equina syndrome was caused by medical negligence some time after it occurred, the time limit will begin from the date that you acquired this knowledge.
To learn more about the legal limitation period for a medical negligence claim, our limitation period guide has everything that you will need to know.
You can receive advice on what evidence to compile to support your claim and the limitation period by calling one of our advisors today.
Why Make A Cauda Equina Negligence Claim With Public Interest Lawyers?
Making a cauda equina negligence claim with Public Interest Lawyers means that you will be making your claim with an expert medical negligence solicitor. Our solicitors have a wealth of experience which is proven to succeed when applied to medical negligence claims. Trusting a medical professional with your health and them then causing you harm that could have been avoided can be deeply traumatic. CES can also have lifelong effects and a serious, far-reaching impact on your life. Therefore, our solicitors want you to receive the best possible compensation amount. They will help you to achieve this by:
- Organising a medical assessment to get confirmation on the extent of the harm caused.
- Advising you on what evidence will best support your CES claim and how evidence such as medical records can be retrieved.
- Answering any of your questions about your claim or the process.
- Explaining any complex legal terms to you so you understand each step in the process of making your claim.
- Handling any legal documentation on your behalf.
- Connecting you with specialists in spinal nerve damage to help you lead a fulfilling life.
Call an advisor to get connected with one of our solicitors today.
Can I Claim Cauda Equina Syndrome Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, you can claim cauda equina syndrome compensation on a No Win No Fee basis with our solicitors at Public Interest Lawyers. They will offer you the choice to enter a type of No Win No Fee arrangement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
Entering a CFA means that you can begin making your cauda equina claim without the worry of paying upfront solicitor fees before or during your claim. You will also not have the financial burden of paying fees for your solicitor’s services if you do not receive compensation due to an unsuccessful claim. If your claim is successful, your CFA will involve a small percentage of your compensation being deducted as your solicitor’s ‘success fee’. This is a legally capped percentage, so you will still receive the majority of your compensation.
Contact Public Interest Lawyers
Give an advisor a call today to discuss the terms of a No Win No Fee arrangement and for more information about making cauda equina syndrome claims.
- Call us on 0800 073 8803
- Use our free live chat function
- Complete our online contact form
Learn More
For more of our helpful guides, see below:
- If you have suffered another spinal injury, read our spinal injury claims guide.
- Learn how to make a claim for PTSD that medical negligence has resulted in.
- Read about the compensation you could get for suffering nerve damage in this case study.
Some websites that you may find useful include:
- The NHS have information on lumbar decompression surgery which may help with your CES.
- Further information from the NHS on how to retrieve your medical records.
- Learn how to request Statutory Sick Pay.
Thank you for reading our cauda equina syndrome claims guide, we hope you found it useful.