Neurology Negligence Claims

Our medical negligence solicitors specialise in neurology and neurosurgery claims. We are expert in achieving the maximum award possible to fund rehabilitation, treatment and care.

Neurology

A neurologist is trained to investigate, diagnose and treat a wide range of neurological disorders including:

• traumatic brain injuries and tumours
• headaches and migraines
• epilepsy and seizures
• memory problems and disorders of intellect such as Alzheimer’s and forms of dementia
• stroke and Transient Ischaemic attacks (TIA)
• facial pain
• dizziness and blackouts
• Parkinson’s disease, tremors and disorders affecting movement
• Multiple Sclerosis and other inflammatory disorders of the nervous system
• balance disorders
• tingling, pins and needles and numbness
• muscle weakness, pains and cramps
• sleep disorders

Many neurologists specialise in one or more of the above disorders. Much of their work involves neurological examinations and observations such as assessing muscle strength and movement, balance and reflexes, sensation, memory and speech and other cognitive abilities.

During medical examinations neurologists use a variety of diagnostic tests, including:

• CAT (computed axial tomography) scan
• MRI/MRA (magnetic resonance imaging/ magnetic resonance angiography)
• lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
• EEG (electroencephalography)
• EMG/NVC (electromyography/nerve conduction velocity)

The accuracy of these tests and their reporting is essential to this area of medicine. An instance of medical negligence at the diagnostic stage can have a devastating effect on the patient.

Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is the surgical speciality involved treating these conditions. Typical conditions managed by neurosurgeons include:

• hydrocephalus (fluid/water on the brain)
• trauma of the head and spinal cord
• brain tumours; infections of the brain
• spinal disc herniation
• anatomical malformations of the brain and spinal cord
• treatment for various neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, stroke, etc.

Neurology and neurosurgery negligence

Neurosurgery is specialised and intricate and mistakes do sometimes occur, with life-altering consequences.

Similarly, if a neurologist makes a medical mistake in diagnosing or treating a neurological disorder, the effects can be life-changing.

Neurology and neurosurgery claims

Some of the most serious cases involve neurological injury to the brain or spine.

Many medical negligence claims in this area involve failure to diagnose crucial conditions, meaning doctors either fail to administer the correct treatment or administer the wrong kind of treatment, with catastrophic consequences for the patient. We have dealt with many claims, including:

• Failure to test adequately and consequently misdiagnosing a subarachnoid haemorrhage, causing permanent brain damage
• Failure to adequately manage medication for epilepsy
• Failure to diagnose a brain tumour
• Failure to diagnose and treat spinal conditions causing permanent incontinence and disability
• Failure to identify and treat drug toxicity causing tremors and seizures leading to death
• Failure to manage multiple sclerosis causing exacerbation of disability

The treatment itself could have been negligent, or the operations negligently performed by neurosurgeons. Occasionally the patient may not have provided 'informed consent' for a surgical procedure or course of treatment and may allege that had been made fully aware of the risks involved, they would not have given their consent.