Anesthesia is what allows patients to undergo surgeries and other medical procedures without experiencing pain or distress. It’s given in various forms (general, regional, and local) depending on how complicated the surgery is and what the patient needs.
Though anesthesia is generally safe when administered properly, even minor miscalculations can cause major problems and subsequent injuries. Patients put their trust in anesthesiologists, surgeons, and medical teams to give them safe and effective care, but mistakes do still happen.
If you suffered an injury after being given anesthesia, you might have a solid personal injury claim if negligence was involved. Here is everything you need to know:
Common Types Of Anesthesia Mistakes
When a person is being given anesthesia, errors can be made in administering, monitoring, or managing the process before and throughout the procedure. The most common of these mistakes include the following:
Dosage Errors
An anesthesiologist must perform careful calculations to determine the right dosage based on the patient’s age, weight, medical history, and the procedure they’re in for. Too much can lead to complications like respiratory failure, brain damage, or even a fatal overdose; too little could lead to the patient regaining consciousness during the surgery.
Not Monitoring Vital Signs
Patients under anesthesia require constant, careful monitoring to ensure their vitals remain stable until the surgery is complete. If someone fails to track their heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other indicators, the patient could be subject to serious complications that lead to long-term health problems.
Improper Or Delayed Intubation
General anesthesia requires the insertion of a breathing tube to maintain adequate airflow to the patient’s lungs. If someone on the medical team overlooks any potential complications, fails to intubate at the right time, or does so incorrectly, the patient could suffer from severe brain injury or death from oxygen deprivation.
Drug Interactions And Allergic Reactions
Some patients may have allergies or pre-existing conditions that make them more likely to encounter complications under certain forms of anesthesia. They could experience life-threatening reactions if no one takes their medical history into account or if a sedative that reacts poorly with the patient’s other medications is used.
Improperly Trained Or Negligent Staff
In many cases, mistakes with anesthesia happen because those involved either fail to follow the right protocols or are not trained well enough.
Potential Injuries From Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia-related injuries can vary wildly. Some people are fortunate in that they only encounter mild discomfort, but other complications, such as the ones below, can have serious, life-altering implications:
Brain Damage
When a patient’s brain is deprived of oxygen, even for a short time, they could experience permanent brain damage.
Heart Problems
Anesthesia errors can ultimately lead to complications with the patient’s cardiovascular system. They could face irregular heart rhythms, heart attacks, and cardiac arrest, which could be fatal.
Nerve Damage
Medications like epidurals and spinal blocks can lead to nerve damage if improperly administered. Patients may experience numbness, chronic pain, a loss of motor function, or even paralysis.
Anesthesia Awareness
When not given enough medication, a patient could wake up during surgery unable to move or communicate because of the muscle relaxants. Patients who experience this often suffer from forms of psychological trauma, including anxiety and PTSD.
Post-Op Complications
Complications following surgery may include infections, blood clots, breathing troubles, and longer recovery times. In severe cases, patients might need additional treatment to fix the damage.
Who’s Liable For Anesthesia Injuries?
Any time a patient suffers from an injury related to anesthesia, a number of people could be held responsible, including:
- Anesthesiologists who administered the medication and monitored the patient
- Surgeons and other staff
- The hospital/medical facility
Additionally, pharmaceutical companies can be held accountable if it’s discovered that there’s a problem with the drugs and medication provided to the patient’s medical team.
Legal Options for Victims Of Anesthesia Injuries In Dallas
If you have suffered from an anesthesia-related injury, you can pursue a medical malpractice claim to hold the responsible party accountable.
To do so successfully, you must prove the four pillars of negligence:
- You were owed a duty of care
- A breach of duty occurred due to negligence, a mistake, or a failure to follow standard protocol.
- The breach directly caused your injury
- You suffered losses (medical costs, disability, emotional distress) because of the injury
Hospital records can establish what was done during the procedure and how it caused your injury. Testimony from medical professionals will clarify standard care practices, and witness statements from other staff can help solidify the actual chain of events.
The state of Texas has a statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases. Generally, victims must file their claim within two years of the day of the injury or the day the injury was discovered. There can be exceptions, however, so you’ll want to talk to a lawyer as soon as you can.
Protect Your Rights After An Anesthesia Injury
If you’ve suffered an injury after undergoing anesthesia in Dallas, Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers is ready to help. Our team understands the challenges of complicated medical malpractice claims and is committed to protecting victims’ rights. Contact Benton Accident and Injury Lawyers at (214) 556-8321 for a free consultation.