What is a spinal abscess or infection?

Spinal abscess/infection is a rare but serious condition that can have life-changing consequences. When an infection gets inside the spine, it can lead to an epidural abscess (build-up of pus) and discitis (inflammation of the spinal discs) which can lead to a spinal cord injury if left untreated. The infection often originates from other sites of the body, such as the teeth, which result in the flow of bacteria through the bloodstream and into the spine.

The symptoms of a spinal infection can be vague and vary from person to person, making it difficult to diagnose. However, initial symptoms can often include back pain and fever.  The infection can lead to numbness and weakness in the limbs if left untreated.

Circumstances in which claims may arise

Claims can arise where there is a delay in diagnosing and treating the infection, such as a delay in performing an MRI scan of the spine and surgery.  The issues involved are complex and require specialist input.

We act for claimants who have suffered paraplegia or tetraplegia due to the delay in diagnosing a spinal abscess/infection. We have seen negligence arise from the following:

• A delay in diagnosis and treatment of a cervical spine abscess which caused tetraplegia (our client received £2.4m in damages)
• A week-long delay in performing an MRI scan of the spine led to a delay in operating on a spinal infection/abscess which caused tetraplegia (our client received £1.65m in damages )
• A delay in diagnosis of a urinary tract infection which led to discitis and an abscess which caused paraplegia (our 81-year-old client received £850,000 in damages)
• A known intravenous drug user had a delay in diagnosis of a spinal infection, our 33 year old client received just over £1m .
• A failure to diagnose discitis which led to the collapse of the vertebral bodies of the spine causing a spinal cord injury.
• A delay in diagnosing and treating a spinal infection (£3.75m settlement for lawyer left paraplegic after spinal infection misdiagnosed as lung cancer).

Making a claim

When someone has suffered a catastrophic injury due to a delay in diagnosing and treating a spinal infection/abscess, the consequences can be devastating.

A successful claim will provide access to funds to enable the individual to rehabilitate and obtain the care, assistance and appropriate accommodation they might not otherwise be able to access.