When a patient undergoes surgery, a general anesthetic is usually administered by an anesthesiologist to help the patient enter an unconscious or semi-conscious state without pain. Anesthesia is generally safe. However, there are errors that can be made and complications that may arise due to the negligence of the anesthesiologist, the doctor or other hospital staff who assist during the surgery.
There are several types of anesthesia errors that could occur and almost all of them are due to professional negligence. One of the most common types of mistakes is dosage error, which can happen when too much or too little anesthesia is given. Failure to properly monitor a patient before or during the surgery can also result in serious issues. The anesthesiologist is responsible for regulating the patient’s level of consciousness during the surgery and making sure that the patient is not experiencing any complications or distress. Anesthesiologists cannot leave the side of the patient and leave him or her unattended.
Serious Consequences
Negligence in administering anesthesia can lead to serious injuries including tracheal damage, asphyxia or lack of adequate oxygen supply, heart attack, birth defects, brain damage, spinal cord injury, anesthesia awareness (when the patient is awake and feels pain during surgery), coma or even death.
When a person is permanently disabled as the result of an anesthesia error, the medical expenses and other rehabilitative costs can add up to millions of dollars during his or her lifetime. Any physical scars or loss of functionality can also be traumatizing for the victim and his or her family. Medical professionals owe patients a duty of care. When they fail to meet that standard and when patients are injured or harmed as a result of negligence or carelessness, then the doctors or hospital involved can be held liable. Injured victims can seek compensation by filing a medical malpractice claim for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, long-term care, loss of life’s enjoyment, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
Medical Malpractice Cases
Our law firm has worked on cases in which $3,900,000 and $1,400,000 have been recovered for anesthesia errors. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one as a result of medical negligence, the experienced New York personal injury lawyers with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can provide you with more information about pursuing your legal rights. Our law firm has obtained millions of dollars for victims of medical negligence. Please call us 24 hours per day 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com