£380,000 Settlement
Pryers secured £380,000 in compensation after a Hospital’s delay in diagnosing cauda equina syndrome (CES) left Mrs S with a life changing disability.
A delay in diagnosing cauda equina syndrome
Mrs W started to suffer from a loss of sensation in her bottom (saddle anaesthesia), bladder and bowel disturbance and back pain.
She was not aware that these were signs that she had developed cauda equina syndrome. Cauda equina syndrome is a compression of the cauda equina nerve roots of the lumbar spine, usually caused by disc prolapse the bottom of the lumbar spine/top of the sacral spine.
Incomplete cauda equina syndrome requires urgent medical attention and often emergency neurosurgery to treat the disc prolapse and relieve the pressure on the nerve roots.
Mrs S visited her GP and was referred for an urgent MRI scan at the Hospital.
Unfortunately, there was a delay in performing the scan, which caused a delay in diagnosing and treating the cauda equine syndrome.
Pryers helped get compensation
The legal issues in the case were complex and Pryers worked with an expert Neurosurgeon to prove that the Hospital were negligent.
It was alleged that, with timely diagnosis, Mrs S would have had urgent neurosurgery and would have made a good recovery.
Instead, she was left with urinary incontinence and permanent leg pain, which made it difficult for her to walk.
Pryers recovered compensation for Mrs S’s pain and suffering, as well for walking aids and equipment and therapy. A large sum was obtained to fund future care and assistance to ensure that Mrs S always could access the care and support she needed.