‘Pamela’ 43

Pamela’s health has suffered enormously due the failure of a hospital to treat her for spinal condition cauda equina syndrome. She previously held a physical job, but is no longer able to do this, and relies on a wheelchair and other mobility aids. Pamela has also lost the ability to control her own bladder and bowel due to the permanent nerve damage she suffered as a result of the hospital’s negligence. Absolutely nothing could make up for this catastrophic impact, but Pamela has financial means to cope with her disabilities after Eddie Jones, a partner specialising in cauda equina cases at JMW, secured a £5 million compensation settlement for her. 

What went wrong?

Pamela had had lower back pain for a few years before the poor care that led to her medical negligence claim, but nothing that had given her too much cause for concern. When the pain became significantly worse one day, she saw her GP, who was concerned about some numbness and pain she was experiencing down her right leg, and told her to go to A&E. The hospital doctors decided she wasn’t suffering from cauda equina syndrome and probably had sciatica or muscle strain. Pamela was discharged home with advice about to care for a back injury.

Over the next few weeks, Pamela’s condition only worsened. The numbness spread to both legs and she also developed pain in both legs when walking. When her left leg completely gave way one morning Pamela called an ambulance. Paramedics took her to the same A&E department she had previously attended, however, appallingly, Pamela was once again sent home without proper investigation for her symptoms with an MRI scan.

The following day Pamela had a significant increase in her back pain and found she had not been to the toilet to pass urine since the previous day and had no urge to do so. She also realised that she had not had a bowel movement for one week. The numbness had also spread to her saddle area and in the early hours of the morning she again called an ambulance. 

The ambulance took Pamela to a different hospital but, again, the doctor who saw her failed to realise her symptoms were red flags of cauda equina syndrome. She was referred to a junior orthopaedic doctor, who discussed her case with a senior doctor. Despite the urgency of the situation, the senior doctor did not personally examine Pamela and recommended that she had an MRI scan as an outpatient and be given an appointment with the spinal clinic.

Pamela was taken back to hospital by ambulance for a third time before it was realised that she needed an emergency MRI scan. The scan revealed a spinal cord disc was protruding and putting pressure on her cauda equina nerves at the base of her spine and causing all of her symptoms. 

Approximately two hours later, Pamela had had emergency surgery to remove the disc but by this time it was too late to prevent permanent damage to her cauda equina nerves. Pamela made a very poor recovery and is now severely disabled. 

JMW’s investigation

Pamela and her family were appalled by the care she had received and the delays she had faced in getting the right course of treatment. They were concerned that this had had a negative impact on her outcome and contacted JMW’s Eddie Jones for advice.

Eddie launched an investigation and examined all aspects of Pamela’s care from the first onset of the red flags of cauda equina syndrome. It was clear from his investigation, which included reports from leading independent medical experts, that when she was taken to hospital by ambulance for the first and second time that it was negligent to send her home without investigation with an MRI scan and emergency surgery. If this had been done, Pamela would have avoided her permanent injuries. 

Eddie built a strong case against the hospital trust responsible for the failure of the medical teams and this enabled him to negotiate a significant compensation settlement of £5 million for Pamela. This has enabled her to move into single storey housing and have access to the equipment and care she needs now and in the future.