Medical malpractice during a situation involving Cauda Equina Syndrome can lead to permanent disability and life-changing issues. These effects should not be taken lightly or minimized. Your life could be altered as a result of this condition, and when the negligence of a physician has led to this issue or increased its damage, you should not suffer financially as a consequence.
You could be facing extreme medical costs, including long-term care, physical therapy, and other care. An experienced Cauda Equina Syndrome attorney can help you seek financial security through compensation for these types of damages. With an expert Cauda Equina lawyer on your side who genuinely cares about your situation, you can breathe easier as you focus on recovering.
Florida Cauda Equina Syndrome Attorney
Lisa Levine has tackled hundreds of medical malpractice claims in Florida, and she knows exactly what is necessary to ensure that you receive the compensation that you are rightfully owed. Trust her to aggressively seek out the compensation that you are owed with determination and tenacity.
Call 954-256-1820 today to schedule your free consultation appointment. We can analyze your unique situation and help you to choose the best option to proceed. You don’t owe us anything unless we win your case, so there is no reason to hesitate. We proudly represent clients from Ft. Lauderdale, Weston, Holly wood, Davie, Tamarac, and the surrounding areas of Broward County.
What is Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Caude Equina Syndrome is a condition in which the section of nerves at the base of the spinal cord becomes compressed. Usually the causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome are an injury or surgery. When this issue occurs long-term damage can occur to the lower extremities of the body and organs in the pelvic area.
The symptoms of this condition can vary widely between patients, but commonly include:
- Loss of control over bladder or bowel
- Los of sensation in the legs, hands, or feet
- Weakness or numbness in one or both legs
These symptoms indicate a need for immediate diagnosis and treatment. When the nerves in question are compressed, they can be permanently damaged as a result of loss of blood flow and oxygen. When this happens, the patient can face permanent loss of sensation in the pelvic and legs areas and loss of control of bladder and bowel function. If treated promptly, these results can be minimized, making it imperative that physicians respond appropriately when presented with this issue. In order to properly diagnose the situation, a doctor must order an appropriate diagnostic test, including a lumbosacral spine X-ray, an MRI, or a CT scan.
Treatment for CES and Financial Needs
When Cauda Equina Syndrome is misdiagnosed or not treated in a timely manner, permanent damage and disability can occur. Insurance companies often underestimate the amount of financial support needed for those suffering as a result of CES, but it is imperative that victims seek out compensation that will truly cover their daily needs.
While damages resulting from CES range widely, they often include serious, life-altering issues. These can be treated by solutions including medication, physical therapy, and long-term drug treatments. These treatments can be very expensive, especially in the long-term, and insurance companies often try to avoid taking responsibility for these long-term care costs. This makes it very important to seek out proper compensation for all of your needs caused by this issue.
Proving a Cauda Equina Syndrome Claim
For many who suffer from CES, the long-term effects and permanent disabilities could have been avoided if proper medical treatment was administered. If you are suffering from CES due to medical malpractice, you should contact a Cauda Equina Syndrome attorney who is experienced in these specific types of cases.
When a patient becomes disabled as a result of CES, an attorney will need to show one or more of the following in a typical Cauda Equina Syndrome claim:
- Failure to recognize the worsening condition of the patient
- Failure to have proper diagnostic tests done
- Failure to recognize certain symptoms as possible indications of CES
- Failure to complete and document a thorough patient evaluation
- Failure to monitor patient’s progress
- Failure to diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome in a timely manner
- Failure to treat Cauda Equina Syndrome in a timely manner
While a simple test such as an MRI or CAT scan will typically show the cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome symptoms and allow for a quick diagnosis and treatment, this often doesn’t happen. When medical professionals don’t do their jobs properly, serious medical complications can arise from CES.
Without proper diagnosis and treatment, a patient can be left suffering from permanent bowel and bladder incontinence, which can lead to infected cysts in the kidneys, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and hydronephrosis.
Expert Witnesses for CES Cases
A successful medical malpractice claim for Cauda Equina Syndrome requires expert testimony from medical and neurosurgical witnesses regarding the failure to diagnose and/or treat the condition by the patient’s medical staff.
Expert testimony will demonstrate that immediate and emergency surgical intervention is critical when treating CES. According to many studies related to the condition, patients who have surgery within six hours of the symptoms emerging have the best chance at avoiding long-term neurological disabilities.
Sadly, in many cases that we see, surgery is often delayed more than 48 hours after the hallmark symptoms of CES emerge in the patient. In cases like this, it is the delay of appropriate medical care that is the key issue.
Early CES symptoms include difficulty urinating, weakness in the legs, and/or shooting pains in legs, hips, buttocks and inner thighs. When seeing these symptoms, a doctor should perform a detailed examination to determine whether Cauda Equina Syndrome is the cause. However, this doesn’t happen in many cases.
Seeking a Fort Lauderdale Attorney for Cauda Equina Syndrome
With high medical costs looming over you, you may be feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of the future. You can focus on recovering by enlisting the help of Lisa S. Levine P.A., a nationwide Cauda Equina Syndrome Medical Malpractice attorney who has handled and consulted on more than 60 cases across the U.S., including in New Jersey, Utah, California, Wisconsin, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, New York and Texas. In Florida, she has helped CES patients throughout the state, including in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Ocala.
We can relieve the stress on your shoulders by keeping open communication with you as we proactively seek out just compensation for your suffering. Call us today at 954-256-1820 to schedule your appointment.
Information Center For Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)
Spinal Cord Injuries – Cauda Equina Syndrome: A MedicineNet article offers information, statistics and stories related to CES.
Cauda Equina Syndrome Prevention, Symptoms, Treatments and Causes: An article from Emedicinehealth.com discusses this rare spinal cord injury, its treatment and preventative measures.
Cauda Equina Support Groups: A list of online Cauda Equina Syndrome support groups
