A medical malpractice lawsuit can help you recover the financial compensation you are legally entitled to.
By Osborne & Francis
February 28, 2024

Caudra Equina Syndrome Case Study

Cauda Equina Syndrome Lawsuit

Osborne & Francis Returns a Victory in a Cauda Equina Syndrome Lawsuit

Osborne & Francis recently won a major victory for a woman who sustained serious injuries from CES. 

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare but serious medical condition that occurs when specific nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord become compressed. This bundle of nerves is known as the cauda equina. These nerves extend from the lower end of the spinal cord and play a crucial role in the function of the lower part of the body. 

When these nerves become compressed serious symptoms as well as permanent neurological damage can occur. A CES lawsuit may be pursued if a patient believes that medical negligence or malpractice led to the development or worsening of CES. 

Osborne & Francis has experience in this niche area of medical malpractice. Our team recently handled a case case involving a 41-year-old mother of several minor children. She came to  the emergency room with progressive right-sided sciatica pain rendering her unable to walk. Despite her condition, an MRI was not ordered for almost 14 hours while her symptoms continued to worsen. 

While in the hospital, the patient developed lower extremity weakness, numbness of the lower back, and urinary incontinence. These progressive symptoms were ignored by the doctors and nursing staff. Finally, an MRI revealed an L5/S1 midline and right-sided disc extrusion with severe compression of the thecal sac/Cauda Equina. 

Despite these findings, there was another delay of 17 hours in transferring the patient to a hospital with neurosurgical capabilities to perform surgery and remove the disc material that was compressing the nerves causing ischemia. Incredibly, the doctors and staff failed to treat her condition as a medical emergency, and hours passed without proper attention to her condition. 

As a result, our client sustained devastating neurologic injury and damage. She is permanently incontinent and has severe lower extremity weakness. She is unable to work or participate in activities with her children. She requires assistance with activities of daily living.  Osborne & Francis fought for her and her family. We were able to settle her case with the doctors and hospital responsible for millions of dollars–finances that can be used to help her live her life.

CES Lawsuit 

Medical malpractice cases, including those related to CES, are complicated. These cases require a thorough understanding of medical standards, legal procedures, and the specific details of the patient's situation.

The medical malpractice attorneys at Osborne & Francis are well-experienced in these difficult kinds of cases. Our attorneys are dedicated to handling your case and setting you up for the best chance at success. Contact Osborne & Francis online or by calling (561) 293-2600 to schedule your no-cost consultation. 

Medical Malpractice Settlement and Compensation Available for a Cauda Equina Lawsuit

Cauda equina syndrome is a serious medical emergency that requires prompt medical attention and intervention. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for a favorable outcome. Failure to recognize and address cauda equina syndrome promptly can lead to permanent neurological deficits and complications. This syndrome is often caused by a herniated disc in the lumbar region. This results in impingement of the Cauda Equina. Impingement or compression of the Cauda Equina nerves is a medical emergency due to potential ischemia and disruption of blood flow. 

If you suspect cauda equina syndrome, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. If healthcare professionals fail to recognize and properly address the condition, leading to lasting consequences, it may be grounds for legal action. 

Cauda equina syndrome is considered a medical emergency. Immediate surgical intervention is typically necessary to relieve the compression and prevent further damage. If someone is experiencing symptoms suggestive of cauda equina syndrome, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. When a healthcare professional fails to properly treat a medical condition, this may be considered medical malpractice

In a CES lawsuit, the compensation you may potentially be awarded include: 

  • Compensation for medical expenses: This may include awards for past and future medical costs related to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of CES. This can include surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and assistive devices.
  • Lost income and earning capacity:  If your injury has resulted in a reduction in the ability to earn a living, you may seek reimbursement for the wages or income lost due to the injury. You may also seek loss of future earnings if your injury prevents you from working at the same level that you previously have been.
  • Pain and suffering: You may seek compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and suffering resulting from the CES and its consequences.
  • Punitive awards: In certain circumstances, punitive awards may be issued to punish the responsible party for gross negligence or intentional misconduct. However, punitive awards are not guaranteed and are subject to specific legal standards.
  • Wrongful death compensation: When someone dies due to the negligence, intentional misconduct, or recklessness of another party, wrongful death compensation may be also be awarded. Such compensation intended to provide financial relief to the surviving family members or dependents of the deceased. 

Each medical malpractice case is unique, and the specific compensation is awarded depend on the circumstances of the case, the extent of the injuries, and the jurisdiction. Consulting with an experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand the financial assistance available in your situation. 

The attorneys at Osborne & Francis have handled many complicated medical malpractice cases, including CES lawsuits. Contact the attorneys at Osborne & Francis online or by calling our office (561) 293-2600. We are standing by to make sure that your case is handled correctly and has the best chance at success. 

How Can an Attorney Help Me if I Have Cauda Equina Syndrome? 

If you have Cauda Equina Syndrome, seeking the assistance of an experienced attorney can be an important step in ensuring that your legal rights are protected. An attorney can also make sure that you have the best chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve. 

An attorney can provide you with a thorough consultation to understand the details of your case. They will evaluate whether there are grounds for a medical malpractice claim based on the circumstances surrounding your CES diagnosis and treatment. 

Attorneys who have handled these types of cases have the resources and expertise to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the medical care you received. This may involve obtaining medical records, consulting with medical experts to assess the standard of care, and gathering evidence to establish negligence.

Medical malpractice cases can be legally complex. An attorney can guide you through the legal process, ensuring that all necessary documents are filed correctly, deadlines are met, and legal procedures are followed. If you have CES and believe that it was caused by medical negligence or medical malpractice, contact an attorney as soon as possible. 

Contact an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney

Hiring an attorney is an important step in your medical malpractice case. Those who hire attorneys typically receive larger financial awards or settlements than those who do not. Additionally, it is in your best interest to let an experienced attorney handle your case while you focus on your health and recovery. 

The attorneys at Osborne & Francis have handled many complicated medical malpractice cases. We have the knowledge and resources to give your case the very best chance at a successful outcome. We have won many substantial victories for our clients including a $7.5 million dollar medical malpractice settlement. 

If you have been injured by a healthcare provider, contact the medical malpractice team at Osborne & Francis online (561) 293-2600. We are standing by to help you begin your journey towards financial compensation. 

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Contact us if you have specific questions on the matter or if you’d like to schedule a free consultation.

E. Holland

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Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

T. Andrews

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“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

Erica F.

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"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

C. Smith

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“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

J. Davis

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“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

Alfred

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Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

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