What Is Anesthesia Malpractice?

Undergoing surgery always poses some risks. One of the most challenging aspects of these procedures is receiving general anesthesia. The risks increase exponentially, however, if anyone in your care team behaves negligently, resulting in anesthesia malpractice.

This form of medical malpractice involves a number of possible types of misconduct. Learn more about anesthesia errors and when it may be possible to file a claim against the responsible parties.

Types of Anesthesia Malpractice

The following are the most common forms of anesthesia malpractice.

Failure to Review Patient Medical History

It’s possible to suffer an allergic reaction to a general anesthetic. Anaphylaxis from anesthesia can occur, putting you at risk of respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Even if you’ve never had surgery before, there may be signs in your medical history that show a tendency toward allergic reactions and could require close monitoring.

If a medical professional doesn’t check your history or ignores what’s written there, then they have been negligent in their care.

Medication Errors

One very common issue during surgical procedures is receiving the wrong dose of anesthesia. If the anesthesiologist administers too little, then you can wake up during the procedure and experience anesthesia awareness. You are awake during the surgery but can’t move or speak, which can be highly traumatic.

If your care team administers too much anesthesia, then you can experience respiratory failure. If you go too long without your brain receiving adequate amounts of oxygen, it’s possible to sustain brain damage.

Failure to Monitor Vital Signs

Anesthesiologists must keep a close eye on your vital signs throughout the entire surgery. If any changes occur in your blood pressure, heart rate, or breathing, the surgical team has to act quickly. This can only happen, however, if your vital signs are monitored.

One of the concerns with general anesthesia is the potential for aspiration, which occurs when stomach contents enter your airways. Anesthesia affects your central nervous system in such a way that, if you aspirate, you will be unable to clear your airway on your own. Your care team can catch this problem, but only if they’re keeping an eye on vital signs.

Delayed Response to Complications

Issues can arise during surgery that are unavoidable. Your team, however, must react rapidly to prevent further harm from occurring. If they delay in doing so, you could suffer cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and other life-threatening issues.

Faulty Equipment

Malfunctioning equipment could also cause harm during surgery. You may not receive the amount of anesthesia you need, or vital sign readings could be inaccurate.

Sometimes, these errors occur because of manufacturing issues, but that doesn’t mean the surgical team is blameless. They must always inspect the equipment and ensure it’s functioning correctly.

Communication Problems

The surgical team and the anesthesiologist must communicate efficiently. This makes it easier for everyone to react appropriately to complications.

If the anesthesiologist fails to clearly state when a problem arises or doesn’t offer the rest of the team all of the necessary information on your vital signs, then there could be preventable delays and mistakes.

Nerve Damage

If you’re not positioned correctly for the procedure and shifted as necessary, you can sustain nerve damage. The same can occur if your team doesn’t use appropriate protective padding. You’ll be unconscious, so it’s up to the team to ensure that you don’t develop potentially chronic nerve issues during long procedures.

Postoperative Complications

Surgical issues can arise after the procedure. You must be closely monitored as you recover from the anesthesia. If you need to be intubated for the procedure, extubation must occur safely. Your oxygen levels have to be assessed to ensure that you can breathe normally on your own.

What Are Your Legal Options After Suffering Anesthesia Malpractice?

If you have sustained an injury because of anesthesia malpractice, you can file a malpractice claim to recover your losses. In order to prove medical malpractice, you have to establish that another medical professional would not have made the same error.

This high standard means that you should never begin these claims on your own. With an experienced anesthesia malpractice attorney, you will receive the necessary guidance. They will know how to gather the appropriate evidence to prove negligence, and they’ll help you identify all liable parties. Hospitals are often involved in these claims.

A lawyer can also help you determine exactly what damages you can ask for. Without the guidance of an attorney, you may end up undervaluing your claim.

FAQ

How Long Will an Anesthesia Malpractice Case Take to Resolve?

The complexity of the claim, the number of parties involved, the severity of injuries, and the proof available that establishes negligence all play a role in how long the case takes. Simple cases with ample evidence may be resolved quickly, but if you have to go to trial, you can expect the case won’t be resolved for many months.

Are There Deadlines for Anesthesia Malpractice Cases in Ohio?

Yes, Ohio has a statute of limitations for malpractice cases that gives you just one year to file a claim after any type of medical malpractice.

Can I File a Claim if a Loved One Dies From Anesthesia Malpractice?

Yes. A civil action can never undo the devastating loss you suffered, but you may be able to begin a wrongful death claim to recover damages, including funeral expenses and lost income.

Trust Our Ohio Anesthesia Malpractice Lawyers With Your Claim

After suffering injuries because of malpractice, you may be entitled to begin a claim. To do so, you need experienced and dependable anesthesia malpractice attorneys to help you. At The Moore Law Firm, we provide the tireless support you deserve. Contact us for a free case assessment.