What Exactly Are Anesthesia Errors?

By Greg Kohn
Partner

Anesthesia errors can cause serious injuries, including heart and brain damage. In some cases, an anesthesia error can result in the death of the patient. Because the use of anesthesia can have potentially life-altering health risks, doctors must receive special training and have special knowledge to administer anesthesia. If negligence or carelessness causes an anesthesia error, the medical provider can be held liable for damages under a medical malpractice claim. Our New Jersey anesthesia errors attorneys can help you file a claim seeking compensation and justice for yourself and your family.

Investigating to Determine What Went Wrong During the Procedure

In some cases, it can be very difficult to determine what went wrong during a medical procedure. You know that the patient suffered an injury or died because of something that occurred, but you do not know how the medical procedure is related to the injury or death. A New Jersey anesthesia errors attorney can help you determine the cause of the injury or death by reviewing medical charges, consulting medical experts, and deposing the doctors and other witnesses.

Even though an anesthesia error can occur for a variety of reasons, there are some common issues that we look at in each case. Common issues that may be a factor in a medical malpractice claim for anesthesia error includes:

  • The physician administers too much or too little of the anesthetic;
  • A delay in administering the anesthesia to a patient;
  • Administering anesthesia to a patient with allergies;
  • The patient is given the wrong type of anesthesia or the wrong combination of anesthesia medications;
  • Failure to provide sufficient and adequate information and instructions to patients before and after anesthesia;
  • Failing to obtain informed consent;
  • Failing to review the patient’s medical history of illnesses, injuries, or medications that could have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia; and;
  • Failing to monitor the patient during and after the procedure.

The above issues are not the only errors that can occur involving anesthesia. Contact our New Jersey anesthesia errors attorney to discuss how we can help you determine the cause of your injury and help you recover compensation for your damages.

Common Injuries Related to Anesthesia Errors

Some of the results of an anesthesia error include, but are not limited to:

  • Stroke
  • Brain Damage
  • Death
  • Coma
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Paralysis
  • Confusion and dizziness
  • Asphyxia
  • Broken Bones
  • Anesthesia Awareness
  • Seizures
  • Nerve Damage
  • Birth Defects

The consequences of an anesthesia error can impair a person’s ability to work or return to normal daily routines. When the anesthesia error is the result of negligence, the at-fault party should be held responsible and liable for his or her wrongdoing.

Our New Jersey Anesthesia Errors Attorney Will Explain Your Rights Regarding Anesthesia Errors

If you have been injured because of an error with anesthesia, you have the legal right to file a medical malpractice claim. You may be able to recover compensation from the doctor or other healthcare professional responsible for the error. Learn about your legal rights and options for filing a medical malpractice claim during a free consultation with our New Jersey anesthesia errors attorneys.

About the Author
Greg Kohn is a partner at Nagel Rice and specializes in complex civil litigation cases, including professional malpractice, personal injury, class actions, wrongful death, products liability, and commercial litigation.  He has extensive experience representing clients in both state and federal court. Greg has tried many jury trials to verdict and has recovered over $50 million in settlements and verdicts in all types of personal injury matters including automobile accidents, wrongful death cases, slip and falls, and other catastrophic injury cases. Greg also handles medical malpractice cases, involving misdiagnoses, wrongful birth, and delayed cancer diagnosis. If you have questions regarding this article, you can contact Greg here.