When patients undergo surgery involving anesthesia, they trust their medical team to keep them safe. Unfortunately, anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists don’t always meet the accepted standard of care, and the consequences can change a patient’s life forever.
If you or someone you love has suffered harm due to an anesthesia error, it’s essential to know what your legal options are and the help you have available to you. This quick guide from Gill Law Firm offers all that information and more.
Understanding Anesthesia and Its Risks
Anesthesia allows patients to undergo surgery without pain or awareness, but it must be carefully administered and monitored, and healthcare providers must carefully review the patient’s medical history before the procedure.
Anesthesia errors can cause devastating health complications and potentially death. Even a minor lapse carries a significant risk of lasting damage that can result in piling medical bills, time off work, and significant emotional trauma.
Common Types of Anesthesia Errors
An error can occur before, during, or after a procedure. Common examples include:
- Administering too little or too much anesthesia
- Failing to monitor the patient’s vitals properly
- Incorrectly placing or managing breathing tubes
- Using the wrong drug or failing to review the patient’s medical history
- Defective equipment delivering inaccurate dosages or failing mid-procedure
Each of these examples represents a preventable mistake. In fact, most anesthesia errors are preventable when medical professionals follow proper protocols and stay vigilant during the procedure.
Consequences of Anesthesia Errors
The consequences of an anesthesia error can be devastating. Some of the most common of those consequences include:
- Heart complications that require lifelong treatment
- Brain damage from oxygen loss
- Nerve injuries cause chronic pain or paralysis
- Psychological trauma from waking during surgery
- Wrongful death
Beyond physical injuries, victims often face mental health issues when grappling with the reality of their injuries and the financial stress caused by costly medical bills.
When Does an Anesthesia Error Become Malpractice?
Not every surgical complication results from negligence. However, when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and a patient suffers harm, it may constitute a valid medical malpractice claim. Medical malpractice claims require you to prove:
- The anesthetist owed you a duty of care: When a healthcare provider agrees to treat you, they accept that they have a duty to provide the applicable standard of care. That is, they will provide the care that a similarly trained professional would provide in the same conditions.
- A breach occurred: You must show that the anesthesiologist or other medical staff failed to meet their duty of care. This could happen if they overadministered anesthesia, failed to monitor vitals, or failed to review your medical history before the procedure.
- The breach caused you harm: After proving that a breach occurred, you must show that the error caused you harm. Proof can include medical imaging, doctor diagnoses, records from the procedure, or medical expert analysis.
- The harm caused real losses: You must also show how your injuries have impacted your daily life and finances. This can be done with medical bills, pay stubs, personal testimony, and proof of ongoing treatment.
How a Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help
Anesthesia error cases are complicated, and recovering the compensation you deserve can be challenging. Working with an experienced medical practice attorney can make all the difference. Your attorney can help by:
- Reviewing your medical records to identify mistakes
- Consulting with medical experts who can connect your injuries to the error
- Identifying all responsible parties
- Calculating full compensation
- Dealing with insurance companies that want to minimize your payout
- Negotiating a fair settlement
- Representing you in court, if necessary
You can determine whether you have a valid medical malpractice claim by sitting down with an attorney for a free consultation, where they’ll review your case and inform you of potential next steps.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
You don’t have to face the fallout of an anesthesia error alone. The experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Gill Law Firm can investigate your claim, determine who may be responsible, and fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.