Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is a serious medical condition which can result in devastating long-term consequences for your health. Where medical professionals are responsible for failing to correctly diagnose cauda equina syndrome, or mistakes are made during your treatment, the situation can be even more distressing.

If you have suffered cauda equina as a result of medical negligence, our cauda equina solicitors can work alongside you to help you make a claim for compensation.

We understand that no amount of money will help to reverse the damage that has already been caused. However, compensation can provide financial assistance for any time spent off work, hospital and rehabilitation appointments, and go some ways to making amends for your pain and suffering.

Our solicitors in South Wales have over 30 years of experience in supporting clients in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Bridgend and can be by your side to help you access fair compensation and the answers you deserve.

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Why choose Devonalds for your cauda equina syndrome claim?

For over three decades, our team have been supporting the people of South Wales with a range of medical negligence claims, including those related to cauda equina syndrome. We are proud of the strong connection we have with the local community, with many of our team being born and bred in the Rhondda Cynon Taff area. That is part of the reason why we are committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for all of our clients.

We want you to feel totally at ease when you come to us with a cauda equina compensation claim. When working with our team, you can rest assured that any questions you have will be answered promptly and in plain English, and you will always be updated whenever there are any updates to your case.

The prospect of heading to court is an understandable concern for many people who wish to bring forward a cauda equina claim. However, we always seek to resolve cauda equina claims without the need for court proceedings, securing settlements through Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Seeking out-of-court settlements helps you to access compensation faster, with lower legal fees and much less stress overall.

Speak to us about starting a cauda equina syndrome claim today

For a friendly, informal discussion about whether you might be entitled to cauda equina compensation, please contact your local team in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Church Village, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Tonypandy, Treorchy or Tylorstown.

How cauda equina compensation claims work

Starting a claim for cauda equina compensation in South Wales

If you have suffered cauda equina syndrome as a result of negligent medical care, it can be hard to know where to turn or how to start a compensation claim. You may be unaware of whether you would be entitled to compensation, what your rights are and how the cauda equina claims process works.

We are able to offer a free initial consultation with one of our cauda equina solicitors in South Wales. They can talk you through these issues and answer any questions you might have about the claims process. We can provide an honest and realistic opinion on whether we believe you will be able to make a claim and, if so, how much you could be entitled to.

There is no obligation to move forward with a cauda equina syndrome claim following this conversation, but it means that you will have everything you need to make an informed choice.

No win, no fee cauda equina claims

For most cauda equina claims, we are able to offer a Conditional Fee Agreement, or ‘no win, no fee’ deal. This removes any of the financial risks that could come with an unsuccessful cauda equina compensation claim.

No win, no fee claims do not require any upfront payments. Our fees will only be applied if we are successful in securing compensation for you. If a claim is unsuccessful, you won’t owe us anything.

The cost of your cauda equina compensation claim may also be covered by the defendant. This means even if your claim is successful, you may not be required to make any payments.

Proving cauda equina was caused by medical negligence

When building a claim, it must be demonstrated that cauda equina medical negligence occurred, causing or worsening your condition.

Our solicitors will help to prove cauda equina medical negligence took place by liaising with medical professionals and reviewing evidence, including:

• Medical records
• Examinations by independent medical experts
• Witness testimonies

It is our priority to secure the best possible outcome for you and to make sure that your interests are protected. Our years of combined experience and expertise will help to strengthen your case from the outset.

We will gather all of the necessary supporting evidence and prepare your case to ensure that you have the best possible chance of securing compensation for cauda equina syndrome using methods of ADR or through the courts where required.

Valuing your cauda equina compensation claim

Assessing how much compensation you could be entitled to for a cauda equina claim is often called ‘assessing quantum of damages’. The compensation you may be able to recover for cauda equina syndrome can cover financial and non-financial aspects such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earnings or loss of earning capacity if you are unable to work temporarily or permanently
• The cost of medical treatment, equipment and specialist care
• The cost of home adjustments
• Loss of amenity – i.e. not being able to do activities you enjoyed before the injury
• The costs of travelling to and from medical appointments
• Providing for your loved ones’ future financial independence

Time limits for cauda equina compensation claims

It is important to be aware that there are usually very strict time limits when it comes to medical negligence claims, including for cauda equina.

Generally, the time limits for cauda equina claims are as follows:

• Three years – This is the standard time limit if you are making a claim yourself. The three-year countdown starts from the date you were aware cauda equina medical negligence occurred or the date you became aware of it (other than in certain circumstances).
• Children under 18 years old – If you are making a claim on behalf of a child, you have until they turn 18 to make a claim. Once they turn 18, they have until their 21^st birthday to make a claim themselves
• Adults who lack mental capacity – There is no time limit if you are claiming for someone who does not have the mental capacity to do themselves.

Out-of-court settlements for cauda equina

At Devonalds, our cauda equina solicitors in South Wales believe in focusing on amicable resolutions with the aim of reaching voluntary settlements. Out-of-court approaches often prove to be quicker, less contentious and have lower legal costs compared to court litigation.

Our solicitors have strong negotiation skills and experience assisting clients to reach voluntary settlements through ADR, even in situations where the claim is more complicated and of higher value.

We are dedicated to achieving the maximum available compensation for your condition, so we will always detail your options and likely outcomes from the start.

If your claim goes to court

If court proceedings are the only way forward for you to secure an appropriate level of compensation, we have the experience necessary to help you achieve a positive outcome. We frequently work with specialist barristers and professional experts, so will be able to ensure your case is constructed in the most effective way.

We understand that the idea of court can be daunting. As such, we will make sure to support you every step of the way, detailing the steps that need to be taken and what you should expect from the process.

Common questions about cauda equina compensation claims

What is Cauda Equina Syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome is a serious medical condition. It is caused when the nerves in the lower back (the cauda equina nerves or ‘horses nerves’) are severely compressed.

The cauda equina nerves contribute to movement and function in the legs, as well as control and sensation of the genital, anal and bladder regions. Cauda equina syndrome can therefore lead to paralysis and incontinence.

What is the most common cause of cauda equina syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome can often occur when the lumbar discs in the spine rupture or slip.

However, cauda equina syndrome can also occur as a result of a spinal infection, negligent surgery, spinal fractures, tumours, inflammation and stenosis (the narrowing of the spinal canal).

What can be mistaken for cauda equina?

There are a wide range of symptoms for cauda equina, such as lower back pain, loss of sensation, weakness, difficulty sitting and walking, loss of bladder control and sudden sexual dysfunction. This means that the syndrome can often be misdiagnosed.

Common misdiagnoses of cauda equina syndrome include:

• General lower back pain
• Fibromyalgia (pain across the entire body)
• Urinary tract infection

Start a cauda equina compensation claim

For a friendly, informal discussion about whether you might be entitled to cauda equina compensation, please contact your local Devonalds team in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Church Village, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Tonypandy, Treorchy or Tylorstown.