Cauda Equina Compensation Claims Solicitors.

If you have been involved in an accident, through no fault of your own, which has resulted in you suffering from cauda equina syndrome, it is likely that you will need to take a substantial amount of time off work, and you may be faced with medical expenses that you have not budgeted for. This puts a huge financial strain on most families, further exacerbating the psychological impact of the accident.

A compensation award can’t help to take away the pain you are suffering, but it can certainly help to ease the financial pressure you may be feeling, due to loss of earnings and medical bills.

When assessing your medical negligence compensation claim and deciding on a final compensation amount, the following factors will be taken into consideration:

• Loss of earnings already incurred
• Potential future loss of earnings
• The cost of any prescriptions you require
• The cost of therapy including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and any other type of therapy which relieves or improves your symptoms
• Medical costs not covered by the NHS
• The cost of any additional care required, such as auxiliary nurses and carers
• Any mobility aids and equipment required to manage the disability

The extent of the injury and the potential for lifelong problems will also be taken into account, as well as the psychological impact that your injury has had on you and your family. Here at Lanyon Bowdler, we understand how devastating it can be to be involved in a life-changing accident, which is why we strive to achieve the maximum level of compensation that each of our clients deserve. We are on your team and ere for you.

Cauda equina syndrome typically affects adults more commonly than children, and is often the result of an injury sustained in an accident. Some of the most common causes of CES include:

• A severely ruptured disc in the lumbar area of the spine, also known as a slipped disc
• Stenosis which is a narrowing of the spinal canal
• An infection, inflammation, fracture, or haemorrhage of the spine
• Complications from a severe lumbar injury, often after a fall or RTA
• A malignant tumour or lesion on the spine
• A herniated disc
• A traumatic spinal injury such as a stabbing
• A congenital spinal abnormality or birth defect

If you have been involved in a no-fault accident and have sustained a lower back injury, we would advise you to seek medical help as soon as possible. It is also advisable to ask for a copy of the medical records as they can provide useful evidence in your compensation case.

There are a number of key symptoms which typically indicate that a person is suffering from cauda equina syndrome, including:

• Severe pain in the lower back
• Pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs
• Dysfunction of the bladder and/or bowel
• Sudden onset sexual dysfunction
• Numbness in the perineal area
• Acute or chronic pain that radiates through the legs and buttocks
• Loss of sensation in the saddle area

You may notice the symptoms immediately after your accident, or it may take some time for the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome to become apparent. Either way, it is vital you seek medical assistance as soon as you begin to experience problems with your lower back in order to have the best possible chance of making a full recovery.

The early diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome is vital if the patient stands any chance of making a full recovery. As soon as you notice any of the associated symptoms it is advisable to see a doctor as quickly as possible so that they can run some tests and provide a formal diagnosis.

The doctor will usually make their diagnosis based on a number of factors, including:

• Carrying out a physical examination in order to assess the strength, stability, sensation, reflexes, movement, and alignment of the patient.
• Assessing the patient’s medical history, current symptoms, and general health and activity levels.
• Ordering a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) in order to produce a 3D image of the spine.
• Ordering a myelogram, which is a spinal X-ray carried out after injecting a contrast material into the body in order that the pressure points on the spinal cord and nerves can be identified.
• Ordering a computerised tomography scan (CT) in order to get a better picture of what is happening inside the body.
• Blood tests may also be ordered.

Once the doctor has assessed all of the test results they can confirm whether or not the patient is suffering with cauda equina syndrome, and a treatment plan can then be devised. When you visit your doctor for a CES diagnosis, don’t forget to ask for a copy of your medical notes as these can be used as supporting evidence in your compensation case.

Cauda equina syndrome is a serious medical condition, and prompt treatment, ideally within 48 hours, is essential in order to ensure the patient has the best possible chance of recovering the function in their lower body.

Treatment for CES can come in several forms, but will typically involve the following:

• Surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerves, thus preventing permanent nerve damage and paralysis from occurring, and allowing for the sensation and function to return to the legs, bladder, and bowel.
• Medication and rest to reduce the pain, swelling, and inflammation associated with cauda equina syndrome.
• Occupational therapy to help patients adapt their daily lives to accommodate their limited mobility.

The recovery of a patient with cauda equina syndrome typically depends upon how badly the cauda equina was damaged, and how quickly the diagnosis and subsequent treatment took place. Even with treatment, some patients may not recover the full function in their lower body, and must learn to adapt to their new disability.

Claiming compensation after a no-fault accident which has caused cauda equina syndrome can provide you with the financial provision to move forward with your life. No amount of money can make up for what happened to you, but a compensation award can help to alleviate the financial worries you may have after a life-changing accident.