Neurological & Neurosurgical Claims

Neurology and Neurosurgery Claims

Neurology and Neurosurgery relate to treatment of diseases and trauma relating to the nervous system. Nerves are the bundle of fibres that transmit messages to the brain and spinal cord and impulses from these to muscles and organs. They are a vital part of the human body.

When a patient has a neurological illness or injury, diagnosis and treatment can be highly complex and high risk, requiring a great deal of specialist expertise.

What is Neurology?

Neurologists concern themselves with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous system, i.e. brain, spina cord, cranial and peripheral nerves, autonomic nervous system, nerve roots, neuromuscular plate and muscles.

A neurologist is trained to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions of which there are hundreds, including but certainly not limited to:

• Epilepsy and seizures
• Tumours
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Degenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s and other forms of dementia
• Headaches and migraines
• Infection, such as meningitis
• Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIA)
• Balance disorders
• Inflammatory disorders of the nervous system such as Multiple Sclerosis
• Weakness in muscles, cramps and pains

What do neurosurgeons treat?

Neurosurgeons specialise in treating the conditions where appropriate surgically and work hand in hand often with neurologists.

Common conditions managed by neurosurgeons include but are not limited to:

• Hydrocephalus (fluid/water on the brain)
• Trauma to the spinal cord and head
• Brain tumours; infections of the brain
• Spinal disc herniation
• Anatomical malformations of the brain and spinal cord

Neurology and neurosurgery claims

Claim arise from negligent treatment provided by the surgeons and clinicians involved and can happen at any step, during the diagnostic process or the treatment process.

These can include:

• Delays in diagnosis – failure to fully investigate a condition or perhaps to urgently provide testing in some cases, or even failure to correctly interpret test results can lead to delays in diagnosing a condition which could thereafter become significantly worse or even life-threatening due to the delay
• Poor treatment plans – this can include a failure to recognise early surgical intervention was needed, or even failure to recognise that surgery is not necessary and a condition could be treated and managed with medications.
• Negligent performance of surgery – this can include damage of the nerve and surrounding areas.
• Failure to obtain informed consent – this can include failing to provide all treatment options

We are experienced in dealing with all types of neurological and neurosurgical claims as a result of negligence, including the above and surgical errors.

We are here to help if you think something has gone wrong that could have been avoided. You can contact us for an initial consultation that will be free, confidential and will carry no obligation.