Spinal Epidural Abscess Malpractice Lawyer
A spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an infection in the space in the spine around the spinal cord (known as the epidural space). The infection causes a pocket of infected fluid to form, which can press on the spinal cord and its nerves, spread infection to the bones of the spine and body and decrease blood supply to the spinal cord. This condition is considered a neurosurgical emergency due to its fast development and severe outcomes.
When recognized early, SEA can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics and surgery. When the symptoms are overlooked, it can cause irreversible paralysis, sepsis, or even death. The symptoms are often clear, including back pain, fever, and neurological changes, yet hospital staff and physicians sometimes fail to address the conditions in a timely manner. Unfortunately, many cases are not diagnosed and treated properly or promptly.
At Schlesinger Law Offices, our attorneys represent victims of spinal epidural abscess throughout Florida. We hold negligent hospitals and healthcare providers accountable when their failure to act on clear warning signs leads to devastating, life-altering injuries.
Spinal Epidural Abscess Symptoms
The early symptoms of a spinal epidural abscess often mimic common back problems, like muscle strain or a herniated disc, which can lead to dangerous delays in diagnosis. However, physicians are trained to recognize the red flags that distinguish a simple backache from a potentially life-threatening spinal infection. Common warning signs include:
- Severe, localized back pain or tenderness that is persistent, deep, and often worsens at night or with movement.
- Fever or elevated body temperature, indicating that the pain may be linked to infection rather than mechanical causes.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs, which are all signs that infection and inflammation are beginning to compress spinal nerves.
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance, which could signify spinal cord compromise.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, which is a late and critical sign that the abscess is exerting dangerous pressure on the nerves controlling lower body function.
From the list above, physicians are taught to recognize a hallmark pattern known as the “classic triad” of spinal epidural abscess: back pain, fever, and neurological problems.
When these three symptoms appear together, the standard of care requires immediate investigation, typically with an urgent MRI of the spine.
When the triad is present, any delay in treatment can allow the infection to advance, resulting in irreversible neurological injury or death. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical, as early intervention with antibiotics and, potentially, surgical drainage can prevent permanent spinal cord injury.
We Offer Free Case Evaluations
Did you or a loved one experience medical negligence that lead to a spinal epidural abscess? If you have and are wondering if you have a case, contact us today.
Who Is Most at Risk for Spinal Epidural Abscess?
While a spinal epidural abscess can develop in anyone, certain patients are more vulnerable. Common causes and risk factors include:
- Infections elsewhere in the body that spread through the bloodstream (e.g., staph or MRSA): Bacteria from another infection can travel through the blood and settle in the epidural space around the spine.
- Recent spinal surgery or procedures, such as epidural steroid injections or anesthesia: Any procedure involving the spine can introduce bacteria directly into the epidural space, especially if sterile technique is breached or the site becomes contaminated afterward.
- Intravenous (IV) drug use: Repeated injections or use of non-sterile needles can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, which may result in an infection near the spinal cord.
- Diabetes or compromised immune systems: Weakened immune defenses make it harder for the body to fight infection, increasing the likelihood that bacteria entering the bloodstream will take hold and form an abscess.
- Chronic skin infections or abscesses: Persistent skin infections provide a pathway for bacteria to enter the bloodstream and spread to deeper tissues, including the spine.
- Recent trauma or open wounds: Injuries or surgical wounds can give bacteria access to deeper tissues and the bloodstream, leading to spinal infection if not treated promptly.
When these risk factors appear alongside the classic triad of SEA, physicians should consider a spinal epidural abscess as a possible diagnosis and act quickly to confirm or rule it out.
The Devastating Impact of Misdiagnosis
A missed or delayed diagnosis of a spinal epidural abscess can lead to some of the most catastrophic outcomes in medicine. The infection can advance rapidly, causing lasting damage to the spinal cord and profoundly altering every aspect of a patient’s life. At Schlesinger Law Offices, we fight to ensure every aspect of that loss, from mobility to mental health, to financial security, is fully recognized and compensated.
Physical and Emotional Consequences
- Permanent paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Chronic pain and severe muscle spasms
- Loss of sexual function
- Sepsis or life-threatening systemic infection
- Long-term hospitalization, rehabilitation, and loss of independence
- Emotional trauma, anxiety, and depression resulting from sudden disability
Financial Consequences
- Ongoing medical expenses, including surgeries, antibiotics, and rehabilitation
- Long-term physical therapy and assistive care costs
- Home and vehicle modifications for accessibility
- Loss of income and reduced earning capacity
- Need for full-time caregivers or specialized nursing support
- Lifetime compensation for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life
How Schlesinger Law Offices Can Help
For more than 70 years, Schlesinger Law Offices has built a national reputation for holding negligent medical providers accountable when patients suffer catastrophic harm. Our Fort Lauderdale-based attorneys have recovered billions of dollars for our clients.
If you or a loved one developed paralysis or neurological damage because a spinal epidural abscess that wasn’t properly treated, contact us immediately. Our team will review your medical records, consult leading medical experts, and determine whether a delay in diagnosis or treatment violated the standard of care.
We offer free case reviews and handle all malpractice cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if we recover compensation for you.
A spinal epidural abscess shouldn’t result in paralysis or death when properly recognized and treated. Let Schlesinger Law Offices work for you. Call (954) 467-8800 or fill out our secure contact form today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Epidural Abscess Malpractice
What makes spinal epidural abscess a medical emergency?
If not diagnosed and treated quickly, an SEA can cause irreversible paralysis and even death. Doctors must recognize early warning signs and order emergency imaging and treatment to prevent permanent damage.
Can a spinal epidural abscess occur after an epidural injection for childbirth?
Yes. Though rare, epidural anesthesia or spinal injections can introduce bacteria into the spinal canal if sterile procedures are not strictly followed. This can result in a spinal infection that progresses to an abscess. Such cases may involve negligence by the anesthesiologist, hospital staff, or facility responsible for infection control.
Who can be held liable for missing a spinal epidural abscess?
Liability may rest with:
- Emergency physicians who failed to recognize infection symptoms;
- Hospital staff or imaging technicians who delayed imaging or misread results;
- Primary care providers who ignored progressive symptoms; or
- Surgeons who failed to intervene in time.
Each case depends on the medical records and the timeline of events, all of which our firm will investigate meticulously.
What damages can I recover in a spinal infection malpractice lawsuit?
Victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation
- Loss of income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Cost of long-term care or mobility aids
- Loss of consortium or quality of life
In cases of permanent paralysis or death, damages can reach substantial amounts to cover lifetime needs and loss to the family.
How long do I have to file a spinal epidural abscess lawsuit in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally two years from the date the injury was discovered (or should have been discovered). However, strict pre-suit requirements apply, including expert review and provider notice, which can take months.
Contacting Schlesinger Law Offices as soon as possible ensures evidence is preserved and deadlines are met.
If you suspect a spinal infection was missed or mishandled, contact Schlesinger Law Offices today at (954) 467-8800 for a free consultation. Our Fort Lauderdale-based attorneys are nationally recognized for their success in complex medical malpractice cases, and are ready to support you.