What happened?

 Our client (Mr. X) called an ambulance on the evening of 27 February having experienced a high temperature and extreme pain in his back. Whilst waiting for the ambulance he lost feeling in his legs and experienced numbness in his buttocks. He was taken to St James’s University Hospital in Leeds where he underwent an MRI scan before being transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where he was kept in overnight. He experienced an episode of incontinence before being reviewed by a doctor the following morning. Mr. X was advised that he had a problem with the discs in his back. He was discharged and the only advice was that he should rest.

By the time Mr. X reached home, he had lost control of his bowels which he put down to being on strong pain killers. Mr. X continued to have problems with numbness in his buttocks and he struggled to urinate. Following a further consultation with his GP a week later he was referred back to hospital and was diagnosed with an epidural abscess which required decompression surgery. Following surgery he required 5 further procedures to wash out and repair the wound to his back leaving him with a 26cm scar. He was in hospital for 8 weeks in total.

X contacted Moosa-Duke solicitors to investigate whether the epidural abscess should have been diagnosed sooner and if so, what difference it would have made.

Our investigation

Moosa-Duke Solicitors obtained evidence from experts in the fields of microbiology, radiology and neurosurgery and found evidence of negligence as there was a  failure to consider the possibility of infection as a reason for the Claimant’s condition. Had this been considered, an enhanced scan would have been carried out and it would have led to the identification of an epidural abscess. If the abscess had been diagnosed, Mr. X would have undergone surgery the same day, rather than 1 week later and he would have made a full recovery.

The outcome of the negligence

As a result of the delay in diagnosing and treating the epidural abscess, Mr. X developed Cauda Equina Syndrome and arachnoiditis. He now suffers from persistent weakness in his legs; sexual, bladder and bowel dysfunction; significant neuropathic pain and fatigue and will require some care in his later years. He had to give up full time work and find an alternative part time job.

The Defendant trust eventually admitted that there was a delay in diagnosing the epidural abscess and that this delay caused Mr. X to develop Cauda Equina Syndrome and arachnoiditis.

Moosa-Duke Solicitors achieved a settlement of £1,150,000.00 for Mr. X and whilst this cannot fully compensate him for the pain and suffering that he has experienced, it will enable him to obtain the therapies and care that will help him live a more comfortable life in the future.

Moosa-Duke Solicitors are an experienced team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors. Please call us for a no-obligation discussion on 0116 254 7456 or send us an email at enquiries@moosaduke.com. We may be able to help you too.