Tacoma Anesthesia Error Attorneys
Anesthesia errors are rare. Current statistics indicate that only one in every 200,000 to 300,000 patients die as a result of complications from anesthesia. But when they do occur, they can have extremely serious consequences that could lead to lifelong injury, disability or even death. Anesthesia errors can occur because of a variety of reasons, but most commonly occur because of medical negligence.
Given the current advancement and knowledge in the area of medicine, such errors can be easily prevented. Unfortunately, they continue to happen and thousands are injured each year because of negligence and error. If you or a loved one has suffered injury or death because of an anesthesia error in Seattle, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages including past and future medical expenses, loss of income, disability, pain and suffering.
The following are some of the most common anesthesia errors that occur as a result of medical negligence or wrongful action:
- Wrong dosage: This can happen when the anesthetic is not properly labeled resulting in the administration of the incorrect dose. It could result in a patient getting too little or too much anesthesia, which can have disastrous consequences.
- Failure to monitor a patient: An anesthesiologist is responsible for regulating a patient’s level of consciousness during surgery. It is also the anesthesiologist’s job to make sure that the patient is not experiencing complications or distress during the procedure. Failing to do so would constitute medical malpractice.
- Failure to recognize complications from anesthesia
- Failure to intubate or injury caused during intubation: This is a process where a tube is placed in a patient’s trachea to protect the patient’s airway and help them breathe safely. If an error is made during intubation, serious injuries can occur
- Leaving the patient unattended
- Improper or negligent administration of oxygen during surgery
- Causing surgical fires by allowing the oxygen to come too close to the hot surgical equipment
- Use of drugs or alcohol by the medical provider
- Lack of communication or communication errors during or after surgery
The type of injury or damage the patient suffers as a result of the anesthesia error will depend of the kind of mistake that was made. The most common injuries caused by anesthesia errors include tracheal damage; asphyxia; cardiovascular injury that could lead to a heart attack or stroke; birth injury; brain or spinal cord injury; coma or death. Anesthesia errors could also lead to a condition called "anesthesia awareness." In such cases a patient may wake up in the middle of a procedure because he or she was administered an insufficient dose of anesthesia. This could cause extreme physical and emotional trauma to the patient because he or she is paralyzed and unable to speak, yet aware of what is going on and even experience the pain of surgery.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury because of an anesthesia error, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, loss and suffering. Please call an experienced Washington anesthesiologist malpractice attorney at the Bernard Law Firm to schedule your free consultation and case evaluation. We are here to protect your rights and help you secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
IF YOU, OR A LOVED ONE, HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IN TACOMA - CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!
