THE TYPE OF CASE WE DO

Mrs H, aged 34, presented to her GP with symptoms suggestive of prolapsed disc and spinal cord compression.

It was not until 4 days after initially attending her GP that Mrs H was referred to hospital where she underwent emergency discectomy to relieve her spinal cord compression.

Mrs H suffers from Cauda Equina syndrome with pain and weakness in her back and legs, foot drop, bladder and bowel problems and reduced vaginal sensation.

Almost two years after her initial presentation at hospital Mrs H suffered a second disc prolapse leading to further Cauda Equina symptoms.

It was Mrs H's case that her GP was negligent in failing to refer her to hospital on initial attendance.

It was Mrs H's case that earlier referral to hospital would have resulted in emergency treatment and her Cauda Equina syndrome avoided.

It was accepted that the second disc prolapse would in any event have led to Cauda Equina syndrome.

Mrs H would therefore have delayed her Cauda Equina syndrome by 20 months.

Compensation was agreed without trial at £90,000