Every year, around 40-50 million surgeries are performed in the U.S. This staggering number highlights the progress of medical technology, particularly in anesthesia. While it's true that anesthesia today is safer than ever, errors still happen. When they do, they can lead to serious and fatal medical malpractice injuries.
Anesthesia makes surgery possible without the pain, but not all anesthesia is the same. Depending on the procedure, doctors use one of three main types:
- Local anesthesia: This numbs a small, specific area of the body. It's often used for minor procedures such as mole removals or biopsies.
- Regional anesthesia: This affects a larger region of the body, such as during epidurals or spinal blocks. They're typically used for childbirth or surgeries on a limb.
- General anesthesia: For major operations, general anesthesia is used to make the patient completely unconscious, preventing any awareness or pain.
How does anesthesia go wrong?
Many assume that anesthesia mistakes only occur during the operation, but that's not true. Errors can happen before, during, or even after a procedure, and each type of mistake carries its own potential risks.
Common preoperative mistakes include:
- Not thoroughly reviewing the patient's medical history for potential issues.
- Failing to provide preoperative instructions (e.g., the need to fast before surgery).
Common intraoperative mistakes include:
- Delaying the administration of anesthesia.
- Giving too much or too little anesthesia.
- Administering the wrong type of anesthesia for the specific procedure.
- Failing to monitor vital signs or manage oxygen levels properly.
- Misplacing the intubation tube or using faulty equipment.
- Allowing a team member under the influence of drugs or alcohol to participate in the procedure.
Lastly, postoperative mistakes include:
- Keeping a patient sedated for too long.
- Leaving an anesthetized patient unattended.
- Not giving proper post-surgery instructions.
What complications can result from anesthesia errors?
Anesthesia is meant to alleviate pain, but when something goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating. Complications range from minor to severe, with some leading to permanent injury or even death.
- Minor and temporary complications: Patients may experience unexpected preoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, or confusion. While uncomfortable, these symptoms are typically manageable and pass with time.
- Moderate complications: More serious issues can include injuries from intubation, anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction), or respiratory difficulties.
- Severe and life-threatening complications: The most severe outcomes include nerve damage, blood clots, brain damage, heart attacks, strokes, or even death.
When does an anesthesia error become medical malpractice?
Not every anesthesia mistake qualifies as medical malpractice. To determine whether an error is grounds for a legal claim, it must be shown that a healthcare professional failed to meet the standard of care or acted negligently and that this negligence directly caused harm to the patient.
Proving medical malpractice involves demonstrating that the care provided was not up to the accepted medical standard, which can be a very challenging process. This is why having an experienced medical malpractice attorney on your side is important—they can help you determine whether you have a viable case and what steps to take to move your claim forward.
What should I do if you suspect an anesthesia error?
If you suspect that an anesthesia error caused harm to you or a loved one, it's important to take action. Document everything you can about your experience. That includes medical records, the names of those involved, and any communications with the hospital or medical providers. Then, contact a qualified medical malpractice attorney to discuss your situation.
Medical malpractice cases are often about more than just compensation—they're about accountability and ensuring others don't suffer the same fate. With a skilled attorney, you can take the steps necessary to protect your rights and seek justice. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to an anesthesia error or medical negligence, Kurle Justus, LLC can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our experienced and compassionate attorneys have successfully handled medical malpractice cases like yours and recovered millions of dollars in damages to our clients, including:
- A $15 million settlement for a brain injury victim against a major Georgia hospital.
- A $3.2 million verdict against a major healthcare system for medical malpractice.
- A $2.5 million settlement for the victim of urgent care physician malpractice.
- Dozens of other successful resolutions.
Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay unless we win, and we offer free consultations to discuss your case at no cost. To take the first step toward justice, contact Kurle Justuc, LLC today and set up your free initial consultation.