$1,012,500 Settlement Obtained for Delayed Diagnosis of Emergency Back Condition

Photo of doctor reviewing spine x-ray to accompany Cauda Equina Syndrome delayed diagnosis case review

Attorneys Joseph Manna and Lynn Bochenek recently obtained a $1,012,500 settlement in a medical malpractice case for a man who suffered injuries due to the failures of a hospital and chiropractor to diagnosis and treat cauda equina syndrome (CES).

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)

CES is a condition that occurs when the bundle of nerves below the end of the spinal cord, known as the cauda equina, is damaged. Signs and symptoms may include low back pain, pain that radiates down the leg, numbness around the anus, inner thighs and groin, and loss of bowel or bladder control. A hallmark sign of CES is saddle anesthesia, which is numbness and tingling in the areas that come in contact with a saddle if one were riding a horse.

The cause of CES is usually a severely herniated disc in the low back. Other causes can include spinal stenosis, cancer, trauma, epidural abscess, and epidural hematoma. The diagnosis of CES is suspected based on symptoms and confirmed by medical imaging such as MRI or CT scan.
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Settlement Obtained for Pedestrian Struck by Distracted Driver

Image of distracted driver using cell phone to accompany description of case involving a pedestrian injured by a distracted driver

Michael P. Stuermer, a Partner at the law firm of Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria, recently obtained an $825,000 settlement on behalf of a pedestrian who was injured as the result of being struck by the vehicle of a distracted driver.

The following provides an overview of distracted driving, details on the accident and injuries in this case, information on the result obtained for the injured pedestrian, and who to contact for a free case review if you suspect you have been the victim of an injury caused by a distracted driver.

Distracted Driving Epidemic

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describes distracted driving simply as any activity that diverts attention from driving. Such activities commonly include texting on a phone, eating & drinking, talking to passengers in the car, and adjusting a car’s entertainment or navigation system.

According to a recent NHTSA report, in 2015, 391,000 individuals from across the United States suffered some form of injury from a motor vehicle accident that involved distracted driving. An additional 3,477 were killed in distracted driving crashes.

Pedestrians Impacted by Distracted Driving

The consequences of distracted driving go beyond the drivers and passengers of vehicles. In 2016, 562 non-occupants such as walkers, bicyclists, and other pedestrians, were killed in distracted driving related accidents.
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