Compartment Syndrome compensation claims

Compartment syndrome occurs where there is a large amount of pressure that can be caused by bleeding or swelling within an enclosed bundle of muscles, known as a muscle compartment.

The muscles in the arms and legs are in groups surrounded by blood vessels and nerves that are all wrapped in tissue. The pressure that is caused by compartment syndrome affects how the muscles and tissues function. This can cause permanent tissue damage.

The symptoms of compartment syndrome depend on whether it is acute or chronic compartment syndrome. Given how serious it is, it’s a problem that should be diagnosed and dealt with by medical professionals as quickly as possible.

Acute Compartment Syndrome

Acute compartment syndrome is more serious as permanent nerve and muscle damage can be caused from a build-up of pressure within the muscle compartment. It can cause an intense pain and the muscles can feel tight, and there can be a tingling or burning feeling on the skin.

It can be caused from serious trauma from a crush injury or a fracture, or from serious muscle bruising; surgery to repair a blocked blood vessel after someone has been unconscious for a long time; burn injuries; or having a plaster cast on while the arm or leg is still swelling.

Chronic Compartment Syndrome

Chronic Compartment Syndrome causes cramping in the leg or arm during exercise that reduces when the activity stops. This is less serious than acute compartment syndrome as it comes on gradually after a long time of doing the same motion.

A person may experience difficultly in moving or muscle bulging.

Compartment Syndrome Delayed diagnoses

In the case for compartment syndrome, delayed diagnosis can have a serious effect on the patient.

Patients can suffer immense pain from the compartment syndrome if it is left untreated, and in some cases there may be a need to have their limb amputated. Not only does a delayed diagnosis have a huge physical effect on the person, like having a limb amputated, it can have a psychological effect as well.

Both physical and emotional injuries can be sustained if compartment syndrome is left untreated. These problems can severely impact on a person’s life by leaving them disabled and unable to live their lives as they used to. This can also prevent them from returning to work and therefore suffer a loss of earning.

Can you claim?

You can claim for general damages due to the pain and suffering from compartment syndrome and the physical and psychological effects that will have been caused from the delay. You may also be able to claim for special damages if you have to have seek additional care, or are unable to return to work because of the trauma and so have faced a loss of earning.

We can help

If you have been a victim of delayed diagnoses of compartment syndrome and have suffered because of this, we can help. We specialise in medical negligence claims and are able to help you. If you think you have been a victim of medical negligence we urge you to contact us and we can advise you on whether you have a claim.