Alex Dabek is a Partner in the Spinal Injury team at Bolt Burdon Kemp and a leading solicitor specialising in complex clinical negligence claims involving spinal cord injury and Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES). Based in London and acting for clients nationwide, Alex has spent many years representing individuals who have suffered life‑changing neurological injuries due to delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, negligent spinal surgery and substandard post‑operative care.
Widely recognised for her expertise in Cauda Equina Syndrome claims and high‑value spinal injury litigation, Alex is known for her meticulous approach, exceptional client care and ability to secure substantial compensation for those with catastrophic injuries.
Recognised expertise
Alex has been consistently acknowledged in The Legal 500 for her specialist work:
- Legal 500 2026 edition states: “Alex is fantastic. She works extremely hard for her clients to get the best possible outcome… She’s kind, understanding and compassionate. She is a credit to the legal industry.”
- Legal 500 2024 edition describes her as “a true specialist in spinal injury work with an astonishing attention‑to‑detail and work ethic.”
Areas of specialism
Alex’s practice focuses on complex and high‑value spinal injury claims, including:
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment of Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)
- Delayed diagnosis of spinal infections, including Discitis
- Negligent spinal surgery, including wrong‑level surgery and incorrect surgical approaches
- Failure to diagnose or treat post‑operative spinal complications such as epidural haematoma
- Neurological injury caused by spinal blocks, epidurals or spinal injections
- Complex spinal cord injury claims involving private hospitals and private consultants
She regularly represents vulnerable clients with catastrophic spinal cord injuries involving impaired mobility, bladder and bowel dysfunction, neuropathic pain and long‑term care needs.
Her approach combines rigorous investigation of liability with detailed assessment of rehabilitation, care, therapy and accommodation requirements to ensure clients receive the support they need for life.
Notable case highlights
Alex has secured substantial compensation for clients who have suffered life changing spinal injuries including:
£5.8 million settlement for paraplegia following negligent spinal surgery
Alex represented a woman left paraplegic after failures to diagnose spinal fractures and subsequent surgical errors. Despite complex pre-existing medical problems and only partial admissions, Alex successfully argued for full liability and secured a settlement, including substantial annual periodic payments to fund lifelong care, accommodation and rehabilitation.
£1.65 million settlement for delayed diagnosis and treatment of Cauda Equina Syndrome
Alex acted for a medical professional whose CES symptoms were missed by healthcare providers. The case involved two defendants and fiercely contested causation arguments with a nominal £20,000 offer from one defendant in the early days of the claim. Shortly before trial, the claim settled for £1.65 million enabling long-term rehabilitation and financial security after the loss of the client‘s professional career.
£1.82 million settlement for spinal cord injury caused by negligent spinal block
During routine hip replacement surgery, a spinal block was negligently administered causing permanent neurological injury. The defendant disputed the long-term consequences including neuropathic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction and secondary orthopaedic complications.
Through detailed work involving carefully considered expert evidence, Alex secured a £1.82 million settlement enabling specialist treatment including spinal cord stimulation.
Six figure settlement following catastrophic spinal injury at private hospital
This complex claim involved failures in obtained informed consent, clinical governance and patient safety issues at a private hospital. The surgeon died during proceedings and his insurer declined cover. Alex pursued the hospital for allegations which included vicarious liability, non-delegable duty of care and clinical governance failings overcoming extensive disclosure dispute to secure substantial compensation just days before the trial.
£1 million settlement for Cauda Equina Syndrome following spinal surgery
Alex represented a client who developed CES following surgery at a private hospital resulting in permanent bladder and bowel dysfunction and mobility impairment. Despite strong defence of liability, the claim concluded with a £1 million settlement close to trial.
Six figure settlement achieved following failures in CES care and spinal infection management
Alex represented a client who approached the firm with concerns about delays in diagnosing and treating a spinal infection. Through specialist expertise, a failure to act on clear red‑flag symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) was identified. Despite MRI imaging showing significant neurological compromise, urgent decompression surgery was delayed, resulting in bowel, bladder and neurological dysfunction. The claim settled shortly before trial, achieving a substantial six‑figure settlement ensuring access to treatment and financial security.
Professional involvement and community work
Alex is actively involved in the spinal injury community and works closely with charities supporting people with spinal cord injuries.
She supports Horatio‘s Garden, a charity that creates therapeutic gardens in NHS spinal injury centres. Alex regularly participates in fundraising events for this charity.
Alex also works closely with the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) and Back Up Trust – two amazing charities that provide essential support to individuals adjusting to life after spinal injury.
Alex is an active member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. As the former Secretary and Co-ordinator to the APIL’s Specialist Interest Group for Spinal Cord Injury, she had organised a number of training sessions for other APIL members on issues pertinent to spinal injury claims.
Professional memberships
Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) – senior litigator
