Atlanta Anesthesia Errors Lawyer
Although anesthesia is usually safe, anesthesia disasters happen. A study carried out by Columbia University explained that 2,211 people died in the United States in seven years due to anesthesia errors. If your loved one has died or you have suffered injuries from an anesthesia error, it could have been due to medical malpractice that could have been prevented. Lawsuits involving medical malpractice and anesthesia-related errors can be difficult and complicated so it is important to have an experienced advocate represent you. Our Atlanta anesthesia errors lawyer has represented numerous families who have been devastated by anesthesia errors. Call us today at 404-721-1050 for a free consultation.
Why Do Anesthesia Mistakes Occur?
Administering anesthesia requires careful planning, monitoring, and administration to avoid disastrous outcomes. Anesthesia errors occur for a variety of reasons, but there are some common themes we see in our cases. In our experience handling anesthesia malpractice cases, anesthesia errors occur when anesthesia care providers:
- Fail to properly assess a patient before anesthesia;
- Fail to monitor a patient properly during anesthesia;
- Fail to use safety devices like a peripheral nerve stimulator when a paralyzing medication is used;
- Fail to properly prepare for extubation when there’s evidence of a difficult airway;
- Fail to follow the difficult airway algorithm when they encounter a difficult airway;
- Fail to administer a reversal medication to a patient who has been paralyzed for surgery;
- Fail to properly administer medications;
- Fail to protect against anesthesia awareness;
- Fail to protect against fires; and
- Fail to properly communicate with the surgeon and other healthcare providers.
When the anesthesia care team cuts safety corners, patient safety is compromised and unnecessarily increases the risk of harm to unsuspecting patients.
What Are the Common Injuries Related to Anesthesia Malpractice?
If anesthesia is improperly administered to a patient, the results can be devastating and include a wide variety of complications. The following are common anesthesiology-related injuries:
- Death;
- Brain damage from a lack of oxygen;
- Paralysis;
- Blindness in one or both eyes;
- Excruciating pain and suffering from awake anesthesia.
If you or a loved one experienced any injuries because of anesthesia, it is important to speak to an attorney to learn more about your legal options.
If I Was Injured by Anesthesia Malpractice, Who is at Fault?
Determining who is at fault for an anesthesia error will depend on the facts of the case. The anesthesiologist, the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, the Anesthesia Assistant, or even the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Nurse could be at fault along with the anesthesia practice group and/or the hospital. It is important to have an experienced Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer and practicing anesthesiologists who work as expert witnesses review your case to determine what, if anything, the anesthesia care team did wrong to cause to the injuries. If a hospital employs the anesthesiologist or anesthesia care provider who committed the error, then the hospital might be liable for the medical malpractice. In cases where the anesthesiologist or anesthesia care provider is hired as an independent contractor, their practice group may be liable for the negligence.
What Can I Gain by Filing a Malpractice Case Against an Anesthesiologist?
In a successful claim against a medical practitioner, the victim or their family may be able to recover compensation. Compensation is typically divided into (1) economic damages and (2) non-economic damages. Economic damages are used to compensate victims of malpractice for the actual financial losses resulting from medical professionals’ negligent actions. Those damages will include past medical expenses; future medical expenses; and lost wages. There are also non-economic damages, which are more subjective, intended to compensate the injured or their family for the past pain and suffering, the future pain and suffering, disfigurement, permanency of their injury, mental anguish, and reduced enjoyment of life.
Call the Atlanta Anesthesia Errors Lawyer at The Moses Firm Today
At The Moses Firm, our attorneys will fight aggressively to reach a favorable outcome in your claim. Call us today at 404-721-1050 to consult with a dedicated Atlanta anesthesia errors attorney.
