Albany Anesthesia Errors Lawyer
Modern medicine allows patients to experience a better quality of life, more accurate pain control, and state-of-the-art life-saving procedures. Precise and safe anesthesia is one of the benefits available to patients today, however, it is not without risk. Anesthesia errors could still occur.
Due to the nature of anesthesia, there is not a lot of room for error. Errors that occur are often serious, life-changing, or even deadly. Patients and their loved ones who experienced such a situation should seek legal advice from a skilled Albany anesthesia errors lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.
Types of Anesthesia Errors in Albany
Anesthesia errors could potentially happen in any area of the hospital: the OR, ER, ICU, and labor and delivery being the most common. Medication dosing errors related to lack of experience, unfamiliarity with the equipment or device, and haste or carelessness account for a large majority of them. Other types of anesthesia errors include:
- Unintentional administration of residual anesthetics,
- Not controlling IV flow rates properly,
- Failure to timely react to oxygenation problems or to properly administer oxygen during surgery,
- Failure to properly monitor a patient,
- Administering anesthesia to an allergic patient,
- Too much anesthesia or delayed anesthesia delivery,
- Harmful drug interactions with the anesthesia, or
- Failing to give the patient proper instructions, such as not eating or drinking prior to their surgery.
No matter what type of anesthesia error occurs, it may usually be attributable to healthcare provider negligence or hospital negligence if a hospital knowingly hired or contracted an unqualified person. Patients or their families who experience the negative impacts of anesthesia errors should reach out to an experienced Albany anesthesia errors attorney to determine if they have a case and how much their case might be worth by speaking with an in-house doctor. Attorneys could then present findings from medical personnel in court with cutting-edge technology.
Special Filing Requirement for Anesthesia Errors
Any case filed in Georgia against a hospital, doctor or another healthcare provider with a license to practice in the state requires an expert affidavit to be submitted as required by O.C.G.A. § 9-11-9.1. The affidavit must be completed by a medical expert who is qualified under Georgia law and who could provide a specific opinion as to the negligence committed by the healthcare provider. It must also include the factual basis for the claim.
If filing the affidavit of an expert with the initial complaint would delay the filing of the lawsuit past the statute of limitations, a 45-day extension could be granted if both of the following conditions exist:
- The statute of limitations would expire within ten days of the anesthesia errors lawyer in Albany filing the complaint, or
- Attorneys file an affidavit with the initial complaint swearing that their firm was not hired more than 90 days prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Call an Albany Anesthesia Errors Attorney
Undergoing surgery or a procedure with anesthesia requires patients to place their full trust in not only their surgeon but also the anesthesiologist to safeguard their lives. Patients may not even realize how much trust is required unless there is a negative outcome. Thankfully, most anesthesia is administered without incident, but sadly, errors sometimes do occur.
If you or a family member experienced a sudden hardship after an anesthesia error, call a compassionate Albany anesthesia errors lawyer at any hour for a free consultation and to speak directly with an attorney.
