Anesthesia Malpractice
There is an inevitable trepidation surrounding going under the knife. Surgery of any kind can be quite nerve-wracking. Lack of control, lack of consciousness and lack of awareness. Anesthesia malpractice is something most people don’t consider as a risk of surgery.
Anesthesia errors are a form of surgical error. Surgical errors fall under medical malpractice law. Malpractice is improper, illegal, or negligent activity. Additionally, most errors are the result of negligence.
Anesthesia Errors
Having an error with anesthesia brings about a whole new list of worries. Most anesthesiologists don’t intentionally harm a patient. Many anesthesia errors happen because of a lapse in judgment or a distraction. But, anesthesia errors can cause lifelong damage. Who should pay for that damage?
A malpractice case must prove some kind of permanent or lasting damage. Here are some of the injuries we’ve seen from anesthesia malpractice:
Permanent injury
Coma
Brain damage
Fatality
With surgery being inherently risky, anesthesia errors magnify the dangers.
Types of Anesthesia
There are several types of anesthesia used in surgeries and procedures. The most common types of anesthesia include:
General
Regional
Local
Spinal/Epidural
Dissociative
The type of anesthesia is dependent upon the type of procedure the patient is undergoing. The level of consciousness the patient may be in and not feel pain is also considered. Patients sometimes have several anesthesia options.
Anesthesia Errors And Malpractice
There are many ways an anesthesia error can occur. Here are the most common reasons for anesthesia malpractice:
The anesthesiologist administers incorrect dosage
Use of defective equipment
Failure to read a patient’s medical history prior
Neglecting to watch the patient’s vital signs through the procedure
Not informing the patient of pre-surgery information
Failure to notice distress signals in a patient
An anesthesiologist must follow the standard of care during their procedures. If the medical professional is neglectful, medical malpractice occurs. When this happens, serious injury may result.
Anesthesia Error Injuries
Injuries from an anesthesia error can manifest in different ways. The following side effects may occur after an anesthesia error has occurred:
Seizures
Serious spinal cord injury
Blood pressure issues
Birth injuries/defects
PTSD
Asphyxia
Coma
Organ damage
Brain damage
Death
Anesthesia errors can be lifelong and change the course of a patient’s life. The error may not be intentional, but you deserve compensation for how it affects your life. Anesthesiologists and hospitals have malpractice insurance to cover their mistakes.
Anesthesia Malpractice Lawsuits
According to the Legal Dictionary, medical malpractice is defined as: “Improper, unskilled, or negligent treatment of a patient by a physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care professional.”
Anesthesia Error Leaves 18 Year Old Girl Comatose
New Jersey Principal Dies Donating Bone Marrow
Over-Anesthesia Death Results In $8.5 Million Jury Verdict
Medical malpractice is a form of negligence. Negligence is categorized under tort law. Tort law covers: “A body of rights, obligations, and remedies that is applied by courts in civil proceedings to provide relief for persons who have suffered harm from the wrongful acts of others…”
Medical Negligence
When a medical professional is negligent, they have committed medical malpractice. Malpractice lawsuits help people recover money for injuries as a result of the wrongdoer’s negligence.
Anesthesia errors can be incredibly dangerous. Sometimes, a patient will need lifelong care. The patient can hold the medical professional and facility liable for negligence during their procedure and aftercare. An experienced attorney can help you understand your options.
Hire an Anesthesia Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one suffered from an anesthesia error, you may have a claim. If the malpractice happened in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, contact us for a free legal consultation. Call us today at 215-232-1000 to discuss your case. Our Pennsylvania and New Jersey anesthesia malpractice attorneys are here for you.