If substandard medical care has caused you, or a loved one, to suffer cauda equina syndrome, then significant compensation could be claimed. GPs, NHS doctors and medical professionals owe those that they treat a duty of care, and if this duty is breached, a medical negligence claim can be made. This guide, ‘Cauda Equina Syndrome Compensation Calculator’, will focus on the types of compensation that could be awarded if you make a successful medical negligence claim.
This guide will also look at what cauda equina syndrome is and how it could be caused by medical negligence. We also cover the evidence such a case might need and how to claim damages on a No Win No Fee Basis.
As you read the guide, you can get in contact with one of our friendly advisors at any time. It is completely free, with no obligation. We can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Browse Our Guide
- Cauda Equina Syndrome Compensation Calculator
- What Is Cauda Equina Syndrome?
- How Can Cauda Equina Syndrome Be Caused By Medical Negligence?
- What Evidence Can Help In Cauda Equina Compensation Claims?
- Can I Claim Cauda Equina Compensation Using A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
- Learn More About How To Make A Medical Negligence Case
Cauda Equina Syndrome Compensation Calculator
A cauda equina compensation claim can be made up of two types of damages. The first is for the injuries suffered and is called general damages. A cauda equina claim can involve serious injury and this will be reflected in any compensation award. The more serious the injuries, the higher the general damages are likely to be.
Those valuing cauda equina compensation amounts from medical negligence will likely use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which give suggested compensation brackets for different types of injury. Cauda equina syndrome can cause multiple injuries, which can include emotional pain and suffering. In the table below you will find examples from the JCG, please note that these are only guidleines.
Please bear in mind that these are not guaranteed figures, and cauda equina malpractice settlements can vary. Please also note that the top-line figure is not from the JCG.
| Injury | Severity | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries with significant out of pocket expenses | Serious | Up to £1,000,000 plus | Multiple serious injuries with significant financial losses e.g. loss of earnings |
| Paraplegia | Paraplegia | £267,340 to £346,890 | Paralysis with ongoing pain, reduced independence, depression, and affecting sexual function. |
| Back | Severe (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | Damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots. Incomplete paralysis and impaired bowel, bladder and sexual function. |
| Severe (ii) | £90,510 to £107,910 | Nerve root damage, loss of sensation, impaired mobility and bowel, bladder and sexual function. | |
| Severe (iii) | £47,320 to £85,100 | Disc lesions leading to chronic conditions with constant pain and discomfort. Impaired sexual function, depression and unemployability. | |
| Reproductive system (Male) | Serious | £140,220 to £181,020 | Total impotence and loss of sexual function in a young person. |
| Bowels | Serious | Up to £224,790 | Double incontinence with total loss of natural bowel and bladder function, together with other medical complications. |
| Serious | Up to £183,190 | Total loss of natural function and dependence on colostomy, depending on age. | |
| Bladder | Double Incontinence | Up to £224,790 | Double incontinence with total loss of natural bowel function, together with other medical complications. |
| Foot | Very Severe | £102,470 to £133,810 | Permanent and severe pain with a serious disability for example drop foot meaning that conventional shoes could not be worn. |
Let’s move on the the second type of damages called special damages.
Can I Claim For Rehabilitation And Care Costs Caused By Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Out-of-pocket expenses and financial loss caused by injuries can be a significant part of cauda equina compensation payouts. They are called special damages. Things you can claim compensation for can include:
- Loss of earnings (past and future).
- Reduced pension entitlement due to missed contributions.
- Home adaptions such as a walk-in shower or access ramps.
- A specially adapted vehicle.
- Care costs.
Specifically in cauda equina cases, rehabilitation can be extremely important. The faster you receive rehabilitation, the greater the chance of a better long-term prognosis. The parties to litigation are encouraged to consider the rehabilitation needs of the injured party. It could be the case that private rehabilitation costs are needed to help you, and these could include:
- Physiotherapy
- Counselling
- Aids and equipment
- Orthotics (to help with mobility)
You will likely need some form of ongoing care or assistance if you have suffered medical negligence that caused cauda equina syndrome, and our advisors are ready to help you begin the claims process today.
What Is Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Cauda equina syndrome happens when the nerves at the base of your spine are compressed. These cauda equina nerves are responsible for bladder and bowel control as well as for the sensation in and around your genitals and back passage. If these nerve roots do become compressed, the spinal cord can become damaged. The nerve’s ability to function can be altered, and urgent attention is needed, which might be emergency surgery to relieve the pressure.
Some of the symptoms could include any of the following developing rapidly:
- Bilateral sciatica.
- Loss of feeling or altered sensation in the inner thighs or genitals.
- Numbness around the bottom or back passage.
- Altered feeling when using toilet paper to wipe yourself.
- Increased difficulty urinating, either starting, controlling or stopping the flow.
- Unaware of leaking urine or the need to use pads
- Loss of sensation when going to the toilet.
- Change in ability to achieve an erection or ejaculate.
- Loss of sensation during sexual intercourse.
Some of these symptoms are called ‘red flag’ symptoms and need to be taken very seriously by medical professionals and, if ignored, can lead to a medical emergency. If they are ignored, then it might give rise to a medical negligence claim.
We will move on to look at when a medical professional could be at fault for a cauda equina claim in the next section, but if you would like to speak to an advisor, you can get in touch with us 24 hours a day with no obligation.
How Can Cauda Equina Syndrome Be Caused By Medical Negligence?
Successful cauda equina negligence claims must meet the eligibility criteria to bring a case. These criteria are:
- A medical professional owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty
- You suffered unnecessary harm as a result of the breach
To show that a medical professional breached their duty, you will need to prove that they failed to meet the minimum standard of care expected of them. A failure to meet this standard will likely be a breach of duty.
Some examples of a medical professional breaching their duty could include:
- A GP dismisses your clear symptoms and fails to refer you for diagnostic testing. This leads to cauda equina syndrome being misdiagnosed, resulting in significant injuries that could have been prevented.
- You receive the incorrect treatment for cauda equina, and your symptoms become far worse than if you had received the correct treatment.
- The doctor at a hospital misinterprets your CT scan and misdiagnoses your condition. This causes a massive delay in receiving the treatment you need.
There are many different ways that a breach of duty by a medical professional could occur. If you would like to talk about your specific circumstances, you can use the contact details provided.
What Evidence Can Help In Cauda Equina Compensation Claims?
Cauda equina syndrome claims require evidence to prove that a duty to you has been breached and also that this breach caused you to suffer unnecessary harm. You will also have to prove any financial losses and that they are a result of the harm you suffered. Potential evidence could be:
- Medical records that detail your symptoms and consultations
- Diagnostic scans such as X-rays or MRI scans
- Contact details of anyone who witnessed treatment or advice you received (sometimes what you said to a medical professional can be disputed, and witness evidence is needed).
- Pay slips or bank statements
- Receipts or invoices
An experienced medical negligence solicitor from our panel can help you with the types of evidence you will need to prove your claim. They can also provide you with advice about the prospects of success for your case. If you would like to work with a solicitor from our panel who are experts in cauda equina malpractice claims, please contact an advisor today.
Can I Claim Cauda Equina Compensation Using A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
If you are thinking of using a solicitor you may be worrying about legal fees if you want to claim damages for negligent treatment that caused cauda equina syndrome. At Compensation Calculator UK, we work with panel solicitors who can offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement if your case is accepted. This is a type of No Win No Fee agreement. This agreement has several benefits, which include:
- You do not need to pay upfront for your solicitor’s fees at the outset of your case
- As your case progresses, you do not have to pay your solicitor’s ongoing fees.
- You do not have to pay solicitor’s fees at all if your case fails.
If your No Win No Fee claim is successful, then a success fee will be payable to your solicitor. This is only if your case wins and only at the end of the case. The success fee is deducted from your compensation and is on a percentage basis. This percentage will be agreed with you before your case begins and has a legally imposed maximum.
A No Win No Fee solicitor can allow you access to expert legal advice and recover the compensation you are entitled to without any financial headaches. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this or the claims process in general, you can:
- Call us on 0800 408 7826
- Contact us online
- Please use the live chat on-screen
Learn More About How To Make A Medical Negligence Case
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how cauda equina compensation amounts are calculated and how cauda equina solicitors could help you claim damages. Here are some further resources about medical negligence cases that you may find interesting:
- Learn more about cancer misdiagnosis claims in our guide.
- Find out when you are able to claim for a wrist fracture that has been missed.
- How to calculate compensation for medical negligence that results in the tragic death of a patient.
Here are some external resources that may prove useful to you:
- The General Medical Council’s guidance for good medical practice and professional standards for doctors.
- Consider the NHS key statistics for England.
- The NHS constitution sets out what patients can expect from the NHS.
Thank you for reading our guide to a cauda equina syndrome compensation calculator. If you have any questions, please reach out to our friendly team.