Medical malpractice due to anesthesia errors is a complex and serious issue that can have severe consequences for patients. Anesthesia is a critical component of many medical procedures, and when errors occur, they can result in life-threatening complications or long-term harm. Victims of anesthesia errors may have legal grounds to sue for medical malpractice under certain circumstances.
Medical malpractice involving anesthesia errors can encompass many situations and mistakes. The following are some of the most common reasons to pursue a malpractice case. For more details about your specific situation, call our office to speak with a Virginia Beach medical malpractice lawyer.
Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
Before administering anesthesia, the medical team must obtain informed consent from the patient. This means clearly explaining the procedure, its risks, potential complications, and available alternatives. If a patient was not adequately informed and did not provide consent or was not informed about the risks associated with anesthesia, this can lead to a malpractice claim.
Dosage Errors
Anesthesia medications must be administered with precision, as errors in dosage can result in adverse reactions, including overdose or underdose. Anesthesia providers must carefully calculate and administer the appropriate amount of medication based on the patient’s weight, medical history, and the type of procedure. If a dosage error harms the patient, it can be grounds for a malpractice lawsuit.
Failure to Monitor
Continuous monitoring of the patient’s vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and temperature, is crucial during surgery or a medical procedure. Anesthesia providers must be vigilant and respond promptly to any abnormalities. Failure to monitor the patient adequately or failure to respond to changes in vital signs can lead to complications and potential malpractice claims.
Intubation Errors
Intubation is the process of inserting a breathing tube into a patient’s airway to ensure proper oxygenation during surgery. Anesthesia providers must be skilled in intubation techniques. Errors during intubation, such as improper placement of the tube or damage to the patient’s airway, can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Allergic Reactions
Some patients may have allergies or sensitivities to certain anesthesia medications. Anesthesia providers must review the patient’s medical history and allergies to avoid using medications that could cause adverse reactions. Administering an anesthesia drug to which the patient is allergic can lead to serious complications and liability for malpractice.
Anesthesia Awareness
Anesthesia awareness occurs when a patient regains consciousness during surgery or a medical procedure, experiencing sensations, pain, or distress while being unable to move or communicate. While it is relatively rare, anesthesia providers must take precautions to prevent anesthesia awareness. Failing to do so may result in a malpractice claim.
Delayed Recovery
After surgery, patients should be carefully monitored in the recovery room until they regain consciousness and are stable. Errors that lead to a prolonged or delayed recovery can result in harm to the patient and may be considered malpractice.
Pursuing Legal Action
To successfully sue for medical malpractice due to anesthesia errors, the victim must typically establish several key elements. Given the complexities of these types of cases, it is best to have a malpractice attorney advocating for you:
- Duty of care: The plaintiff must demonstrate that the anesthesia provider owed them a duty of care. This means showing that there was a doctor-patient relationship, and the provider was responsible for their anesthesia care.
- Breach of standard of care: The plaintiff must prove that the anesthesia provider breached the standard of care expected in the medical community. This often involves presenting expert testimony to establish what a competent anesthesia provider would have done in similar circumstances.
- Causation: It must be established that the anesthesia provider’s error or negligence directly caused harm or injury to the patient. This requires demonstrating a clear link between the breach of the standard of care and the patient’s injuries.
- Damages: The plaintiff must have suffered measurable damages as a result of the anesthesia error. These damages may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other related losses.
Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today
The legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp has successfully represented many clients and their families who suffered serious injury or illness because of the negligence or carelessness of a doctor or other medical staff. In one case, we were able to obtain a $350,000 settlement for a client who suffered significant injury when his surgeon left a surgical sponge behind after gall bladder surgery.
Our Virginia Beach medical malpractice attorneys understand the overwhelming stress these types of mistakes can have on families and work diligently to obtain financial compensation because of the harm victims suffered when medical staff failed to provide the necessary medical treatment. Contact our office today for your free case evaluation and discuss what legal recourse you may have.