Chicago Cauda Equina Syndrome Lawyers

The Chicago cauda equina syndrome lawyers at Curcio & Casciato are deeply aware of the severe impact cauda equina syndrome (CES) can have. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a serious condition affecting the nerve roots at the base of the spinal cord, leading to severe pain, muscle weakness, and loss of bladder and bowel function. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, it can result in permanent disability.

If a doctor failed to timely diagnose cauda equina syndrome, misdiagnosed CES, failed to order an MRI or CT scan in a timely manner (even after a thorough physical examination), or failed to ensure CES was treated promptly, such as delaying surgical treatment, you may have a cauda equina syndrome claim.

When medical professionals fail to provide quality care to CES patients, they should be held accountable. Our experienced Chicago cauda equina syndrome attorney team helps victims understand their rights and the legal process associated with CES medical malpractice claims.

Call (312) 321-1111 for a free consultation with an experienced cauda equina syndrome lawyer in Chicago.

Common Medical Negligence Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims in Illinois

Medical malpractice occurs from a failure of medical professionals to properly diagnose CES, failure to recognize the health decline of the patient, failure to provide surgical treatment in a timely manner, or failure to intervene in a surgical emergency.

As seasoned medical malpractice lawyers in Chicago, we are committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable. We work closely with medical experts to review medical records and establish the breach of duty that led to our client’s injuries.

Failure to Diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)

Our Chicago misdiagnosis lawyer group handles medical malpractice cases where a doctor failed to diagnose cauda equina syndrome (CES), leading to preventable catastrophic injuries. When CES is not promptly diagnosed, patients can suffer lifelong consequences, including loss of bowel control, impaired bowel and bladder function, chronic leg pain, and sexual dysfunction.

When a medical professional fails to perform a thorough physical examination or order imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, this delays a timely diagnosis. Failure to quickly diagnose CES can lead to permanent damage. Such errors can result in medical malpractice claims against the medical professional. Victims seeking justice can consult a Chicago cauda equina syndrome attorney to pursue financial compensation.

Delayed Diagnosis Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) or Other Spinal Cord Issues

Failure to provide a timely diagnosis can be just as harmful as a failure to diagnose CES for many patients, as a timely diagnosis is critical for avoiding permanent injuries.

Our Chicago cauda equina syndrome lawyers often see the following misdiagnosis:

Misdiagnosed lumbar tumor: Lumbar tumors can compress nerve roots, causing CES-like symptoms.
Undiagnosed ependymomas: Spinal cord tumors can lead to nerve root compression.
Misdiagnosed metastatic cancer: Cancer that spreads to the spine can cause spinal stenosis and nerve damage.
Paget’s Disease misdiagnosis: This can deform vertebrae, leading to nerve compression.
Undiagnosed epidural hematoma: Accumulation of blood in the epidural space can exert pressure on the spinal cord.

Delayed diagnosis of these conditions can result in neurological problems and permanent injuries. A medical professional must perform differential diagnoses to rule out other causes and promptly address CES. If you didn’t receive a proper diagnosis because a medical professional was negligent, contact a Chicago cauda equina syndrome attorney from Curcio & Casciato for a free consultation.

Improper Treatment of Herniated Discs

Improper treatment of herniated lumbar intervertebral discs can result in the progression to cauda equina syndrome (CES) when the herniation compresses the spinal cord nerves. Healthcare providers who fail to adhere to the medical standard of care in Illinois—such as performing timely imaging or recognizing symptoms like severe pain in the leg, numbness, or bowel dysfunction—risk allowing CES to worsen.

Simply prescribing physical therapy without investigating neurological problems can lead to permanent disabilities, including permanent paralysis, bladder dysfunction, and lost bowel control.

A Chicago cauda equina syndrome lawyer can help recover compensation for medical complications caused by CES medical malpractice.

Surgical Errors

Our Chicago cauda equina syndrome attorney group handles medical malpractice cases where surgical errors exacerbate the patient’s condition. Cauda equina syndrome is a surgical emergency that requires precise decompression surgery to relieve pressure around the spinal cord for the patient. Failure of this by a medical professional can result in permanent injury, including paralysis as well as sexual, bladder, and bowel dysfunction.

CES surgical error victims may be entitled to financial compensation for suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. Our Chicago surgical error lawyers help victims seek justice and financial recovery for preventable harm caused by medical malpractice.

Negligent Post-Operative Care

Negligent monitoring, failure to recognize signs of complications, or improper medication management can result in serious medical complications like epidural abscess or epidural hematoma formation.

Our Chicago hospital malpractice lawyer team is experienced in cases where hospitals or medical professionals fail to provide adequate post-operative care. We help clients sue an Illinois hospital for negligence to secure compensation for additional medical expenses and suffering from permanent damage.

Nursing Home Neglect

Our Chicago cauda equina syndrome lawyer group often addresses medical malpractice cases where nursing home neglect leads to cauda equina syndrome. Things nursing homes are not allowed to do in Illinois, such as failing to monitor residents’ fall risks, neglecting complaints of severe back pain, or delaying medical evaluations, can result in emotional trauma and permanent damage. Poor fall risk assessment in Chicago nursing homes often leads to preventable falls that exacerbate spinal conditions like spinal stenosis.

A Chicago nursing home falls attorney from Curcio & Casciato can walk your family through how to remove a patient from a nursing home in Illinois and can file a medical malpractice lawsuit on your loved one’s behalf.

Other Medical Malpractice Claims

Our Chicago cauda equina syndrome attorney team commonly handles CES-related medical malpractice claims:

Consequences of medication errors in Illinois: Incorrect medications or dosages can lead to adverse effects that exacerbate CES symptoms.
Spinal anesthesia errors: Errors can cause high anesthetic concentrations or epidural abscesses, resulting in nerve damage.
Mismanagement of herniated lumbar intervertebral discs: Failure to properly diagnose or treat herniated discs can lead to CES.

If you or a loved one has sustained a permanent injury because a medical professional failed to diagnose CES or failed to treat these conditions, our Chicago CES lawyers are ready to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable through medical malpractice lawsuits.

Other Common Cauda Equina Syndrome Causes in Illinois

Regardless of what caused CES, every instance constitutes a medical emergency and must be treated promptly in the emergency room. If diagnosis and treatment are not provided in a timely manner, patients will sustain catastrophic injuries. A spinal cord injury lawyer in Chicago, IL, can help malpractice victims file a cauda equina syndrome claim.

Serious Auto Accidents

A high-impact car accident can cause spinal fractures or dislocations, leading to CES. Victims may require extensive medical treatment and face long-term disabilities. An auto accident attorney in Chicago, IL, can help hold negligent drivers accountable and recover compensation.

Slip and Fall Accidents

CES can be caused by injuries slipping on wet floors, uneven surfaces, or even from injuries from falling down stairs in Chicago. If you sustained cauda equina from a slip and fall, our Chicago premises liability attorney team can help you seek compensation for your injuries.

Elevator Accidents

Elevator malfunctions, sudden drops, or entrapments can result in severe spine injuries, like CES. Our Chicago elevator accident lawyer team thoroughly investigates elevator accidents to determine liability and seek justice for the injured.

High-Risk Occupations for Spinal Cord Injuries

Workers in certain industries face increased risks of spinal cord injuries. Our work injury lawyers in Chicago are here to help those affected.

Construction Accidents

Construction sites pose numerous hazards. Falls from heights, being struck by objects, or equipment failures can lead to CES. Our Chicago construction accident attorneys assist injured workers in obtaining compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits.

Crane Accidents

Operating or working near cranes carries significant risks. Crane collapses or mechanical failures can cause devastating injuries. As Chicago crane accident lawyers, we are committed to helping victims and their families.

Scaffold Accident

Scaffolding provides necessary access but can be dangerous if improperly constructed or maintained. Falls from scaffolds can result in severe spinal injuries. Our Chicago scaffold accident lawyer team fights for the rights of injured workers.

Stages of Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cauda Equina Syndrome can develop rapidly or over time. Early detection is critical to prevent irreversible damage. Initial CES symptoms include:

Severe lower back pain
Sciatica or leg pain
Numbness or tingling in the lower extremities
Bladder incontinence or difficulty urinating
Bowel dysfunction or fecal incontinence

As CES progresses, symptoms may worsen, leading to permanent disabilities. Regardless of the stage, contact a Chicago cauda equina syndrome lawyer from Curcio & Casciato for legal assistance.

Failure to Timely Diagnose CES Patients: Medical Malpractice Distinctions

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence results in patient harm. Failure to provide a proper diagnosis of CES can be considered malpractice if the provider does not act according to the accepted medical standard of care. Proving medical malpractice in Illinois requires demonstrating the provider’s actions deviate from what a competent professional would have done under similar circumstances.

Conus Medullaris vs Cauda Equina

Conus Medullaris Syndrome affects the conus medullaris, the tapered end of the spinal cord, while CES affects the nerve roots below this point. Although symptoms may overlap, differences exist in reflexes, pain distribution, and motor weakness.

Cauda Equina Syndrome Differential Diagnosis

What is a differential diagnosis? Differential diagnosis involves distinguishing cauda equina from other conditions like:

Lumbar disc herniation without CES
Spinal tumors
Peripheral neuropathies
Radiculopathy

Medical professionals must consider CES when patients present with red-flag symptoms to avoid misdiagnosis and legal liability.

Radiculopathy vs Neuropathy

Understanding radiculopathy vs neuropathy is important for accurate diagnosis. Radiculopathy refers to nerve root irritation, often causing pain radiating along the affected nerve. Neuropathy involves damage to peripheral nerves, leading to numbness or weakness.

Cauda Equina Syndrome Symptoms and Longterm Complications

Without prompt treatment, CES can lead to significant long-term complications affecting a patient’s quality of life.

Permanent Paralysis or Weakness

Damage to the nerve roots can cause paralysis or muscle weakness in the legs. Our Chicago paralysis injury lawyer group understands the complications of immobility in Illinois and fights for home and vehicle modifications and other damages to help clients in their recoveries.

Loss of Bladder and Bowel Function

CES often results in loss of bowel and bladder function. Patients may experience bladder incontinence, urinary retention, or fecal incontinence. These conditions can lead to social isolation and require ongoing medical management.

Sexual Dysfunction and Sensory Deficits

Nerve damage can cause sexual dysfunction, affecting intimacy and relationships. Sensory deficits, such as numbness or tingling, may persist, impacting daily activities.

How our Chicago Cauda Equina Lawyers Can Help

A cauda equina syndrome claim involves medical and legal challenges. If you need to pursue legal action, an experienced cauda equina syndrome lawyer in Chicago can provide experienced legal assistance and walk you through the distinctions between malpractice vs. negligence in Illinois.

Our legal team collaborates with medical expert witnesses in Illinois to demonstrate the physician’s failure to diagnose cauda equina syndrome, establish liability, and demonstrate the full extent of your injuries to secure maximum financial compensation.

Fair Compensation in Chicago Cauda Equina Claims

Our Chicago CES lawyers strive to secure maximum compensation that covers:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life

Chicago Cauda Equina Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered from CES due to medical negligence, leading to permanent disability or lost bladder and bowel functions, a Chicago cauda equina lawyer is here to assist. If you were not promptly diagnosed or treated, we can help hold the healthcare professional accountable.

Our law firm provides a free consultation and handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means medical negligence victims won’t owe our personal injury law firm any legal fees unless we’re successful in your CES lawsuit.

Call (312) 321-1111 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Chicago, IL.