Aspinal cord abscess is caused by an infection inside the spine. Today, a spinal cord abscess is generally a rare condition. The following, however, may increase the risk of a spinal cord abscess:
- Boils on the skin, especially on the back or scalp
- Back injuries or trauma, including minor ones
- Complication of lumbar puncture or back surgery
- Spread of any infection through the bloodstream from another part of the body (bacteremia)
If the spinal cord abscess is allowed to go untreated, it presents a life-threatening condition. A spinal cord abscess can lead to spinal cord compression, paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegia.
The failure of a doctor or hospital to timely and properly diagnose a spinal cord abscess is a deviation from accepted medical practice.
Symptoms of a spinal cord abscess include: chills; fever; loss of bladder or bowel control; loss of movement of a body area; loss of sensation; low backache that is often mild but slowly gets worse; pain that typically moves to the hip, leg, or feet; pain may spread to the shoulder, arm, or hand; male impotence; nervous system (neurologic) symptoms that suddenly get worse; numbness in a specific, limited localized area; and severe back pain, weakness or paralysis.
When there is a suspicion that a patient has a spinal cord abscess, the doctor or hospital should promptly order and conduct the following appropriate tests and diagnostic procedures: a CT scan, draining of abscess and culture of abscess material, examination of cerebrospinal fluid, and an MRI.
Failure to Diagnose a Spinal Cord Abscess
The failure of a doctor or hospital to timely and properly diagnose a spinal cord abscess is a deviation from accepted medical practice. The failure to timely diagnose a medical condition such as a spinal cord abscess can result in serious and permanent injury to the patient or even death.
When a doctor or hospital fails to properly diagnose a medical condition, the injured person may be entitled to money compensation for their pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
New York City Failure to Diagnose Lawyer
Patients who are injured due to a medical error or mistake of a doctor or hospital face a trying and difficult time. There are further medical treatment and procedures they are forced to endure. There are also additional medical expenses, lost wages, and other hardships. They face an uncertain future and have unanswered questions.
We understand the hardships victims of medical malpractice and their families face. We know how to help them regain some semblance of their prior life through financial security.
Since 1987, Mr. DiMartini has represented medical malpractice victims throughout the New York City metropolitan area. He is an experienced New York City medical malpractice lawyer, with a long record of success winning favorable settlements and awards for his injured clients.
If you believe you have been injured due to a medical mistake or error, Mr. DiMartini will explain all of your rights and options to you. He will evaluate your New York failure to diagnose claim with a highly experienced medical and legal team. If we determine that we are willing to pursue your claim, it is only because we believe that there was a medical error that resulted in a serious injury to you or your loved one, and we will aggressively and professionally pursue your claim to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Personal injury law is all we do. We know how to get results!
Contact Us
If you or a loved one have been injured due to a failure to diagnose a spinal cord abscess, we are here to fight for your rights. Call Mr. DiMartini directly at 800-991-6301. You can also contact us online. The consultation is free. There is never a fee unless we win your case!
