At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, we can help you recover compensation for cases when Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) was caused by negligence. With over 40 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Indiana, we have the necessary knowledge and resources to take care of every aspect of your case and guide you through each step of the legal process to get you financially restituted.
Lee Christie is a partner with Christie Farrell Lee & Bell and a lifelong Indiana resident. He has trial experience in both federal and state court and is a frequent lecturer on personal injury.
After a CES caused by negligence, the importance of having an experienced legal advocate by your side cannot be overstated. At our law firm, we use a structured approach to handle these types of cases, helping you with:
Our team of seasoned personal injury lawyers in Indianapolis is committed to supporting you through this challenging time. We can take care of everything on your behalf, from negotiating with at-fault parties and representing you in court to filing all the paperwork within the deadlines and requirements stipulated by law. While you focus on recovery, we’ll fight to protect your rights and best interests.
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a type of spinal cord injury that results from the compression of the spinal cord and nerves arising from L1-L5 levels.
In other words, this condition happens when something compresses the nerve roots in the lumbar spine, disrupting motor and sensory functions in the lower extremities and bladder. Here, immediate treatment is crucial to avoid permanent damage. Moreover, doctors often need to perform surgery quickly to relieve the pressure on the nerves, as this is considered a medical emergency.
According to a study found in the National Library of Medicine, the U.S. sees an estimated 1,016 new cases of CES annually, with herniated lumbar intervertebral discs being the most common cause (accounting for 45% of cases).
Common symptoms of CES include:
The consequences of untreated or improperly treated CES are life-altering. This catastrophic injury can lead to chronic pain, paralysis, loss of sensation in the lower limbs, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction. Treatment typically involves emergency surgery to decompress the affected nerve roots, restore function, and prevent further damage.
Post-surgery, patients may require physical therapy to regain strength and mobility, along with medications to manage pain and other symptoms. In some cases, additional interventions (such as bladder and bowel management strategies) can also be necessary to address the long-term effects of the syndrome.
In cases where negligence contributes to the syndrome (for example, when it’s caused by medical malpractice), victims have the right, under Indiana’s law, to seek compensation to cover the cost of their damages.
Under the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act, victims of medical negligence, including those suffering from CES due to improper care, are entitled to pursue legal action.
Under this act, you need to prove that a healthcare provider owed you a duty of care, breached that duty by not adhering to the medical standards, and directly caused your CES as a result. It also requires a medical review panel’s initial review of your case before you can file a lawsuit in state court.
On the other hand, the act also caps total damages at $1.25 million, limiting the compensation a patient can recover. The structure of this cap involves the healthcare provider being responsible for the first $250,000 in damages, with the state’s Patient’s Compensation Fund (PCF) covering any excess up to $1 million.
At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, we’ve helped countless victims recover compensation in medical malpractice cases. 5 of our most recent cases included settlements for $1,250,000, the maximum recovery possible in these cases as you can see in our case results.
Navigating the complexities of Indiana’s legal system in a medical malpractice case demands thorough legal expertise. If CES has significantly affected your life due to a healthcare provider’s negligence, you must seek advice from experienced legal professionals who can help you successfully claim compensation.
Our experienced team of attorneys at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell can assist in preparing your case for the medical review panel, negotiating settlements, and, if necessary, advocating on your behalf in court to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Yes, if CES resulted from medical negligence (such as misdiagnosis or surgical errors) you have grounds for a lawsuit.
CES can lead to permanent disabilities if not treated promptly, including paralysis and bladder/bowel dysfunction.
Responsibility can lie with various healthcare providers if their actions or inactions contributed to the condition. Additionally, if you acquired CES due to being injured in an accident, other parties may be at fault, such as another driver in a car accident.
When CES significantly impacts your ability to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits.
If you’re facing the effects of cauda equina syndrome and you want to pursue legal action to hold at-fault parties accountable for their actions, you don’t have to go through it alone. At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, we offer free consultations to discuss your case and provide insights into potential outcomes.
During this first meeting, we’ll listen to your story, explain your rights and legal options, discuss real case amounts to give you an estimate of the value of your case, and start strategizing the best path moving forward. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to take the first step toward justice.
“From my first telephone conference with Mr. Christie to the settlement of my case, I found Lee and his office staff to be professional, courteous, and extremely helpful. Mr. Christie is professional, very knowledgeable, thorough, and realistic.”
“Tina Bell is the best. She continued to pursue the case resulting in an agreeable settlement.”
“Lee Christie represented my parents after an auto accident and he was wonderful! He always answered any questions or concerns we had and I would recommend him to anyone!”
“Lee Christie and Jill DuVall were very compassionate and caring in a stressful situation. They always answered our questions promptly, sometimes very late in the evening.”
“They were professional, yet very personally involved in our case. After hiring them, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulder so I concentrate on taking care of my husband.”
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