Six figure settlement obtained after delayed diagnosis led to paraplegia

Sharon Allison, partner and head of medical injury at Ashtons Legal, has obtained a six figure sum for Ms R, a woman who was left with paraplegia after her spinal tumour was not diagnosed in a timely manner.

Ms R had been experiencing back pain for several months and was regularly seeking the advice of her GP. When the pain became so bad that she was unable to walk into her doctors’ surgery without support, she was not immediately referred to hospital, despite the presence of significant neurological symptoms such as problems with walking and sensory loss.

Ms R’s condition continued to deteriorate until she had lost all power to her lower limbs. An urgent MRI was undertaken which identified a tumour obstructing her spinal cord. An emergency decompression surgery was performed, however the delay in treatment resulted in Ms R suffering permanent neurological problems associated with walking and mobility

Sharon Allison comments: “This was a very sad case in that Ms R was a very fit and healthy individual who loved nothing more than the great outdoors and lived life to the full and travelled all over the world with her husband. Her injuries have had a life changing impact on her that has affected every aspect of her day to day living.

Spinal injuries can have a catastrophic effect on one’s future. The word ‘compensation’ does not adequately reflect what this money means to someone who has life changing injuries. No amount of money will ever compensate this lady for the injuries and permanent disruption to how she will live the rest of her life, but it will at the very least provide some financial security that she will be able to afford care and assistance in the future. With a broken social care system, this financial security is a lifeline for those who have been injured to ensure that their needs will be met.”

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