Thompsons Solicitors has secured more than £1 million in compensation for a man who has been left partially paralysed and incontinent after the delayed diagnosis of an epidural abscess by staff at Warwick Hospital.

The 61-year-old man had gone into hospital for a routine hip revision and was given an epidural injection in his back to ease the pain.

Four days after his procedure he suffered severe back pain and returned to Warwick Hospital for medical advice. However, hospital staff failed to carry out sufficient tests to determine why the man was suffering pain, particularly in light of his recent procedure.

The man was kept in hospital for two days before he had an MRI scan, which revealed a large abscess on his spine. He had an emergency operation to drain the abscess but the infection had caused paraplegia.

Had the MRI scan been carried out earlier the man’s life-changing injuries could have been avoided.

Prior to his hip revision the 61-year-old was very active, enjoying hobbies of football, running and shooting.

However, as a result of the medical negligence suffered at Warwick Hospital, he now relies on the use of a wheelchair and has been told that he will never walk again without assistance. He is also incontinent and has suffered a number of urinary tract infections.

The seriousness of his injures have had a severe effect on his mental wellbeing and he has suffered from bouts of depression. Despite this, he has continued his enthusiasm for keeping fit and has completed the London Marathon in his wheelchair.

After his experience at Warwick Hospital he contacted medical negligence specialists, Thompsons Solicitors, to investigate a claim for compensation.

Thompsons went on to secure more than £1 million for the man as well as interim payments prior to the final settlement, which allowed him to move from his family home to a bungalow.

He said: “My way of life has been turned upside down by this injury. I was an active, independent man and very happy in my job, but now I’ve been forced to take medical retirement and am reliant on family members to help me every day, which is both upsetting and frustrating.

“While I have learnt to live with my injuries, the compensation I have received thanks to Thompsons has made my life more comfortable. Leaving our long-term family home was upsetting but my quality of life is much improved in a bungalow and without the compensation Thompsons secured, this wouldn't have been possible.”

Michael Burrell, of Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Our client is an incredibly positive and determined man. He has gone through unimaginable amounts of trauma due to negligence at Warwick Hospital; his way life has changed beyond recognition but he is adamant that his injuries won’t completely stop him from setting himself new goals and challenges.

“If he had had an MRI scan when he was first re-admitted to hospital, this awful situation could have been avoided.”