Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims
Cauda Equina Syndrome (‘CES’) is the name given to a relatively rare neurological condition which is a type of spinal cord injury. Ben Posford is recongnised as the leading CES injury lawyer in the UK. For further advice and help contact Ben and his team today.
Cauda Equina Solicitors
The cauda equina, meaning ‘horses tail’ in Latin, is the name given to the bunch of nerve roots found at the bottom of the spinal cord, and Cauda Equina Syndrome arises when these nerves are damaged. Where Cauda Equina Syndrome is suspected, this should always be treated as a surgical emergency. From the onset of the condition, there is a very small window of opportunity to diagnose and operate before permanent damage is done to the spinal cord. Depending on the cause of the compression, emergency surgery will be required within approximately 12 to 48 hours of the initial onset of symptoms to provide the best possible outcome for the patient. In the worst cases where surgery is not performed in time, sufferers are left with permanent paralysis from the waist down, including a complete loss of motor and sensory function in the legs, bladder and bowel.
Signs and Symptoms – Red Flags
There are 5 NHS red flags:
- Loss of sensation in the perineum/ between the legs
- Disturbed bladder/ bowel function – either incontinence or retention
- Severe back pain
- Leg pain affecting one or both legs
- Motor weakness and loss of reflex(es)
Any GP who suspects Cauda Equina Syndrome will advise their patient to proceed immediately to A&E for an emergency MRI scan. The scan will usually show whether or not immediate surgery is required.
Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims and the Law
Most CES claims arise from patients who have not been properly examined by their GP or in hospital leading to a significant delay before surgical intervention. The UK has a particularly poor record for Cauda Equina Syndrome, because of a general lack of awareness about the condition, and poor reaction times for the diagnostic MRI scan and transfer to theatre for immediate surgery.
All medical professionals owe a duty of care to their patients, but they will not be guilty of negligence if they act in accordance with a practice accepted as proper by a respectable body of medical practitioners skilled in their particular area of medicine. For a doctor or an NHS Trust to be found negligent, it must be shown that the patient was provided with inadequate treatment. Generally, this can be proved in one of four ways:
- Absence of urinary investigation
- Failure to carry out a neurological examination
- Failure to order or a delay in ordering an MRI scan
- Significant delay
Contact our specialist Cauda Equina Syndrome lawyers for help and advice
Claims for compensation arising from Cauda Equina Syndrome are complicated to win, and an inexperienced solicitor will recover only a fraction of the true award owed to a successful claimant. Only experienced medical negligence solicitors, approved by the Spinal Injuries Association, should act for Cauda Equina Syndrome sufferers.
Please contact Ben Posford for free advice about whether and how you can bring a claim for compensation for the injuries and other losses suffered as a result of Cauda Equina Syndrome.
"Straightforward and clear, he is good at cutting through the noise."
"Totally tenacious but brilliantly commercial; very impressive."
"Incredibly impressive; he not only knows the technical ins and outs but is a charismatic personality, one clients absolutely love and trust."
"Affable and charming with very good client-handling skills."
"Her knowledge base is second to none and her understanding of the litigation process stands out, as does her ability to work collaboratively."
"Intellectually rigorous and intelligent."
Client StoriesVIEW ALL
- 1.8.2022
Successful settlement for birth injury that led to...
Stephanie Prior’s case relating to the death of Gabriela Pintilie has settled and has been approved by the High...
Read more - 6.7.2022
GP Negligence claim leading to fatality successfully settled
Osbornes acted for a Claimant who brought proceedings on behalf of the estate of her late son, X, relating to...
Read more - 23.5.2022
Justice for client who suffered serious birth injuries
The Clinical Negligence team at Osbornes Law have recently negotiated the settlement of a case in which our client sustained...
Read more - 14.4.2022
Severe abdominal pain prolonged due to failed surgery
Jodi Newton was instructed in a claim against London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust where our client suffered serious...
Read more - 23.3.2022
Nerve injury following bowel surgery
Stephanie Prior was instructed in a claim against Luton & Dunstable University Hospital where our client sustained an injury to...
Read more - 14.2.2022
Recent birth injury cases
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families who have suffered a birth injury. We have represented families who have suffered the...
Read more - 31.1.2022
Recent fatal medical negligence cases
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families who have suffered a fatality due to inadequate medical care. Our specialist team is...
Read more - 31.1.2022
Recent cancer misdiagnosis negligence cases
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families who have suffered due to a delay or missed cancer diagnosis. We represent clients...
Read more - 31.1.2022
Recent Brain Injury Client Stories
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families who have suffered a brain injury as a result of medical negligence. Our specialist...
Read more - 27.1.2022
Recent cerebral palsy cases
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families where a child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. We represent clients and families...
Read more - 25.1.2022
Serious Injury Following TVT Surgery
Case Summary Our client, SG, attended her GP in December 2015 complaining of urinary symptoms including leaking when she laughed or...
Read more - 24.1.2022
Likely settlement of £15-20 million for cerebral palsy...
A client who suffered cerebral palsy injuries at birth was awarded £200,000 as an interim payment in a claim against NHS...
Read more - 12.1.2022
Wrongful birth claim successfully settled
Background Our client, J, fell pregnant in October 2015 and took the difficult decision to undergo a termination. She booked an...
Read more - 4.1.2022
Five-figure Compensation for Cardiac Negligence
In this cardiac negligence claim, we were instructed by a 42-year-old Polish man who had attended the Accident and Emergency...
Read more - 4.1.2022
6 Figure Settlement For Heart Attack Claim
In this cardiac claim, we were instructed by the widow of a 55-year-old man, who had complained of chest pain...
Read more - 1.12.2021
Maternity claim for fatality following caesarean section
Stephanie Prior is acting for a gentleman whose wife died after she had a caesarean section. The claim is on...
Read more - 1.12.2021
Stillbirth client story
Stephanie Prior is currently acting for a young woman who was admitted to hospital and left for significant periods of...
Read more - 29.10.2021
Medical Negligence Case Study: Iron infusion cannula injury
Nick Leahy, Solicitor in Osbornes Clinical Negligence team recovered damages for his client who suffered an extravasation injury following an...
Read more - 20.9.2021
Osbornes represent family of NHS employee
Osbornes Law is representing the family of a former NHS employee who suffered a painful death due to negligent hospital...
Read more - 5.8.2021
Vulnerable man suffers stroke after carers fail to...
Grandfather who almost dies after ‘negligent’ care receives £900,000 settlement A grandfather who had a stroke and almost died when carers...
Read more - 20.7.2021
Osbornes Successfully Settle Wrongful Birth Claim
Nicholas Leahy, clinical negligence lawyer at Osbornes Law has recently negotiated the successful settlement of a wrongful birth case. Our...
Read more - 13.7.2021
Family In Cardiac Negligence Claim Against NHS Trust
Nick Leahy, medical negligence solicitor at Osbornes Law was instructed to pursue a cardiac compensation claim on behalf of the...
Read more - 13.7.2021
Substandard care by GP
Stephanie Prior acted on behalf of J in connection with a claim relating to substandard care by her GP. The...
Read more - 13.7.2021
Substandard Nursing Care
Stephanie Prior acted on behalf of Mr G DA in connection with a claim relating to substandard nursing care by...
Read more
Medical Negligence Accreditations
Insights From our Medical Negligence Lawyers VIEW ALL
- 9.8.2022
New interactive rating tool reveals NHS wait times...
Amidst record-breaking heatwaves and a lengthy patient waiting list due to COVID backlogs, it is not surprising that this summer...
Read more - 14.7.2022
Insulin overdose in hospitals due to limited staff...
A century ago, insulin was first used to treat a 14-year-old boy dying of type 1 diabetes A hundred years later,...
Read more - 6.7.2022
NHS aims to reduce waiting times with Elective...
The NHS recently recorded their waiting list to be at 6.5 million, a record high. Much of this backlog is due...
Read more - 29.6.2022
Nottingham Maternity: Donna Ockenden to Chair Independent Inquiry
An interim report on the state of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has just been released. However,...
Read more - 28.4.2022
Calls for Public Inquiry into Vaginal Mesh Surgery
A leading professor from the University of Oxford has called for a public inquiry into the use of vaginal mesh...
Read more - 11.4.2022
Late Cancer Diagnosis Crisis Within NHS
The Health and Social Care Committee recently released a 52-page report on cancer services, expanding on the crisis in England (...
Read more - 6.4.2022
Stephanie Prior Comments on the Ockenden ‘Maternity Scandal’...
Following the publication of the Ockenden Report, an independent review of maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust,...
Read more - 5.4.2022
NHS Gynaecology waiting lists rise due to coronavirus
It has been reported today in the press that as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, gynaecology waiting lists in...
Read more - 23.2.2022
Record high waiting lists put cancer patient lives...
In early January 2022 there were nearly six million people in England waiting for routine operations and treatment: a record high....
Read more - 23.2.2022
Women from ethnic minorities experience worse maternity care
It has been reported today that the government has set up a new task force to look into why there...
Read more - 17.2.2022
999 Call Handlers Maternity Instructions Report
HSIB Report on Maternity Pre-arrival Instructions from 999 Call Handlers The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (“HSIB”) investigate NHS maternity incidents that...
Read more - 18.1.2022
Basildon hospital maternity unit still needs improvements
A Channel 4 News investigation into the maternity scandal at Basildon Hospital, which is part of the Mid & South Essex...
Read more - 13.1.2022
Court of Appeal Judgement on Secondary Victim Cases
Judgment was today handed down by the Court of Appeal in the cases of Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Foundation...
Read more - 15.12.2021
Vaccine Related Blood Clots And Delays in Diagnosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism and Vaccine Induced Blood Clots The worldwide COVID-19 immunisation programme has been in full swing...
Read more - 23.11.2021
Longer wait for ambulances endangering lives
According to recent NHS figures, in October this year patients in England who were presenting with potential heart attacks or...
Read more - 18.11.2021
How do I obtain my GP medical records...
If you want to obtain copies of your medical records from your GP or the hospital where you have been...
Read more - 17.11.2021
The effect of the pandemic on GP consultations
Remote appointments have been one of the measures adopted by GP Practices in the UK throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It...
Read more - 17.11.2021
NICE revises guidelines on Induced labour
Most babies are born naturally at around 40 weeks gestation. However, some pregnancies continue for longer. According to data from the...
Read more - 12.11.2021
Preventing diagnosis delays of lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer – sadly, it is often incurable. In common...
Read more - 5.11.2021
Voicing concerns about a medical professional
A leading professor of cancer medicine and oncology based in London has been found guilty by a Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal...
Read more - 3.10.2021
Sepsis – greater awareness can lead to better outcomes
In September 2019, I attended the Brain Injury Group’s Sepsis training event in the City of London together with my...
Read more - 28.9.2021
Ambulance Delays Affecting Rapid Patient Treatment
In 2017, the Secretary of State for Health accepted the new ambulance performance standards recommended by NHS England, meaning that the 11...
Read more - 28.9.2021
NHS Waiting Lists Impacting Patient Diagnosis
With waiting lists for NHS England at an all-time high, there is an increased risk that life-threatening conditions are not...
Read more - 25.9.2021
Compensation for Negligence in Maternity Cases
According to the UK’s National Audit Office, the cost to the NHS of medical negligence compensation is currently sitting...
Read more
The Medical Negligence Team View the whole team
Rob Aylott
Partner
Personal InjuryBen Posford
Partner
Personal InjuryStephanie Prior
Partner
Medical NegligenceTahsin Choudhury
Paralegal
Medical NegligenceElline Demetriou
Solicitor
Medical NegligenceNicholas Leahy
Solicitor
Medical NegligenceJodi Newton
Senior Associate
Medical NegligenceGemma Salmon
Trainee Solicitor
Medical NegligenceLaura Swaine
Associate Solicitor
Personal InjuryView the
whole team