Arachnoiditis Malpractice Attorney FL
Over 35 Years Experience

Florida Arachnoiditis Lawyer: Fighting for Victims of Medical Negligence

Experienced Representation for a Debilitating Condition Caused by Spinal Injections, Surgical Errors, and Contaminated Medications.

  • In-Depth Knowledge of Complex Spinal Injury Cases
  • Holding Negligent Providers Accountable
  • Fighting for Lifelong Care and Compensation
  • No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
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Understanding Arachnoiditis: A Painful Result of Medical Error

Arachnoiditis is a rare, debilitating condition characterized by severe inflammation of the arachnoid mater—one of the delicate membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation can cause nerves of the spinal cord to scar, stick together, and malfunction, leading to chronic, intractable pain and a range of neurological problems.

Tragically, many cases of arachnoiditis are iatrogenic, meaning they are caused by medical treatment. Preventable errors during spinal procedures are a primary cause of this life-altering condition. When a healthcare provider’s negligence leads to arachnoiditis, it constitutes medical malpractice.

At Lisa S. Levine, P.A., we understand the profound suffering that arachnoiditis causes. As an experienced Florida medical malpractice lawyer with a focus on complex spinal cord injuries, Lisa Levine is a dedicated advocate for patients who have been forced to endure this condition due to substandard medical care.

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What is Arachnoiditis and How Does it Develop?

Epidural Injection Injury Lawyer

The spinal nerves are protected by three membranes (meninges). The middle layer is the arachnoid mater. Arachnoiditis begins with inflammation of this membrane. In response to the inflammation or injury, the body produces scar tissue. This scarring process can cause spinal nerves to:

  • Adhere or “Clump” Together: Nerves that should be separate become bound in scar tissue.
  • Become Dysfunctional: The scarring restricts blood flow and impedes the transmission of nerve signals.
  • Cause Chronic Pain: The affected nerves fire erratically, sending constant, severe pain signals to the brain.

Over time, this condition can progress, and the damage is often permanent.

How Medical Negligence Can Cause Arachnoiditis

While arachnoiditis can have multiple causes, many are directly linked to failures in the standard of medical care during invasive spinal procedures:

  • Epidural Steroid Injections: Negligence can occur if the provider uses a non-sterile technique introducing bacteria, injects a substance with neurotoxic preservatives, or directly traumatizes the nerves with the needle.
  • Spinal Anesthesia / Epidurals: Similar to steroid injections, errors in placement, technique, or the substances used can trigger the inflammatory response that leads to arachnoiditis.
  • Spinal Surgery Complications: Errors during procedures like laminectomies or fusions can cause direct trauma to the meninges, introduce infection, or lead to bleeding (hematoma) that compresses and irritates the nerves. The failure to promptly diagnose and treat post-operative complications is a form of negligence. Learn more about Surgical Error claims.
  • Myelograms (Spinal Dye Injections): While less common with modern water-based dyes, the use of older, oil-based dyes or a reaction to any contrast dye can cause arachnoiditis. Failure to use the proper dye or technique can be a breach of the standard of care.
  • Untreated Spinal Infections: Failure to promptly and correctly diagnose and treat spinal meningitis or other infections can allow inflammation to damage the arachnoid membrane. Read about Failure to Diagnose.

The Debilitating Symptoms of Arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis is often called a “suicide disease” due to the severity and intractable nature of the pain. Because it can affect multiple nerve roots, symptoms can be widespread and bizarre, including:

  • Severe, Chronic Pain: Often described as burning, stinging, or like electric shocks, primarily in the lower back, legs, and feet.
  • Strange Sensations: Feelings of insects crawling on the skin or water trickling down the leg.
  • Muscle Cramps, Spasms, and Twitching.
  • Bladder, Bowel, and Sexual Dysfunction.
  • Systemic Symptoms: Such as fatigue, joint pain, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
  • Intense Pain with Movement: Making sitting or standing for long periods impossible.
  • Neurological Deficits: Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs.

The condition is progressive for many, and symptoms can worsen over time.

Proving Medical Malpractice in a Florida Arachnoiditis Case

Arachnoiditis cases are exceptionally complex and require a high level of legal and medical expertise. To succeed, we must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a healthcare provider’s negligence directly caused this devastating condition. This involves:

  • Intensive Record Investigation: Scrutinizing all records related to the spinal procedure, including surgeon’s notes, anesthesia records, and post-operative reports.
  • Expert Medical Testimony: Collaborating with leading neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and pain management specialists to establish the standard of care and pinpoint how the provider’s actions fell below it.
  • Establishing Causation: Meticulously linking the specific negligent act (e.g., a contaminated injection, a surgical error) to the onset of the arachnoiditis.
  • Documenting Lifelong Damages: Demonstrating the full, devastating impact of the condition on your life.

Why Choose Lisa Levine for Your Florida Arachnoiditis Claim?

Few attorneys have experience with this rare and challenging condition. Lisa S. Levine, P.A. brings the focused expertise necessary to handle these difficult cases:

  • Specific Experience with Complex Spinal Injuries: Lisa Levine has dedicated experience with devastating spinal conditions, including both Arachnoiditis and Cauda Equina Syndrome, understanding the unique legal and medical challenges they present.
  • Over 35 Years of Medical Malpractice Focus: Our firm is built on decades of experience litigating against negligent healthcare providers in Florida.
  • Access to Elite Medical Experts: We have a nationwide network of specialists who can provide the critical expert testimony needed to prove an arachnoiditis claim.
  • A Proven Record of Success: Our firm has a history of securing substantial case results for victims of the most serious forms of medical negligence.
  • Compassionate and Tenacious Representation: We understand the profound suffering arachnoiditis causes and provide both supportive guidance and aggressive advocacy.
  • No Upfront Fees – Contingency Basis: We represent arachnoiditis victims on a contingency fee basis. You pay no fees unless we win your case.
Spinal Injection Negligence

Compensation for a Lifetime of Care with Arachnoiditis

If a dentist’s negligence during a procedure resulted in damage to your lingual nerve or inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for the wide range of harm you have suffered. These nerve injuries can have profound and lasting effects on your daily life. Under Florida law, potential damages in a successful dental malpractice claim may include:

Lifelong Medical Expenses

– Including pain management specialists, medications (often opioids and nerve pain drugs), physical therapy, psychological counseling, and potential treatments like spinal cord stimulators.

Lost Wages and Total Loss of Earning Capacity

– As most arachnoiditis sufferers are permanently disabled and unable to work.

Pain and Suffering

– Substantial compensation for the chronic, severe, and intractable pain associated with the condition.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

– Acknowledging the devastating impact on every aspect of life, from simple daily activities to relationships and hobbies.

Home Modifications and Assistive Devices

Costs for wheelchairs, scooters, home health aides, and modifications to make a home accessible.

Loss of Consortium


– For the impact on a marital relationship.

The value of your claim will depend on factors such as the severity and permanence of the nerve damage, the specific ways it has impacted your life and ability to function, the extent of your financial losses, and the strength of the evidence proving dental negligence. Lisa Levine, an experienced Florida dental nerve injury lawyer, will meticulously evaluate all aspects of your case to pursue the maximum compensation you rightfully deserve.

Proven Results in Medical Malpractice & Failure to Diagnose Cases

$2,500,000

jane doe
v. surgeon and hospital

Following a laminectomy where she sustained an intraoperative injury, Jane Doe (66) developed immediate CES signs. A hematoma was untimely diagnosed, and surgery to evacuate it occurred 4 days post-op, leaving her with permanent severe pain, gait issues, saddle anesthesia, and bowel/bladder dysfunction.

$2,500,000

estate of john doe
v. hospital

Our client, a 40-year-old father of 2 minor children, entered the hospital for pain management because of kidney stones. He was given Demerol for pain management. Demerol is a respiratory suppressant and the patient needs to be monitored closely. He died within 24 hours due to hospital’s failure to monitor the patient.

See More Case Results

Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arachnoiditis Malpractice Claims

Not always, but a significant number of cases are iatrogenic (caused by medical treatment). If the condition resulted from a non-sterile technique, a known neurotoxic substance, or a clear surgical error, it is likely grounds for a malpractice claim. An investigation is required to make that determination.

Florida’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice generally requires filing within two years of when you knew or should have known about the injury and its link to malpractice, with a four-year absolute limit from the incident (with limited exceptions). Because symptoms can be delayed, it’s critical to speak with an attorney immediately.

The condition is rare, and its symptoms can mimic other conditions like failed back surgery syndrome or fibromyalgia. Many doctors are not trained to recognize it. A delayed diagnosis itself can sometimes be a form of negligence if clear signs were ignored.

We handle these complex cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

Get Help from an Experienced Florida Arachnoiditis Lawyer

If you have been diagnosed with arachnoiditis and believe it was caused by a spinal injection, surgery, or other medical procedure, it is vital to speak with an attorney who understands this specific condition. Contact Lisa S. Levine, P.A. to protect your rights.

Your initial consultation is free and completely confidential. We are here to listen to your story and explain how we can help you fight for the justice and resources you and your family deserve.

Schedule Your Free, Confidential Consultation