Cobb County Anesthesia Error Lawyer
Anesthesia is used to keep patients from experiencing unnecessary pain during surgery. When administered correctly, this medication can be an incredibly useful tool. Unfortunately, any medical error related to anesthesia could cause severe harm to the patient.
If you or a loved one experienced complications related to this type of medication, you may benefit from speaking with an experienced attorney. A Cobb County anesthesia error lawyer could advise you on your legal options.
Determining Which Type of Anesthesia to Use in Surgery
There are four main types of anesthesia used during surgery—general, regional, local, and sedation. General anesthesia results in a complete loss of consciousness. Sedation is similar to general anesthesia, but the patient remains partially conscious. Regional anesthesia blocks sensation from an entire region of the body, while local anesthesia affects only a small part of the body.
Anesthesiologists will generally discuss these options with patients and explain which type of drug is most appropriate for the surgery they are going to have. For example, sedation might not be appropriate for a complex invasive procedure. During these conversations, the medical provider should ask patients about their medical history and consider any previous reactions to anesthesia.
Occasionally the patient will be able to choose between certain forms of anesthesia. Other times, there is only one valid option, and the anesthesiologist informs the patient of what drug will be used. If a medical provider administered the wrong type of anesthesia, resulting in harm to the patient, that individual should seek legal counsel from a skilled attorney.
Potential Anesthesia Errors During Surgery in Cobb County
One of the most common types of anesthesia errors that occurs during surgery is administering the incorrect dose of a drug. Medical providers generally determine the amount of anesthesia needed based on the patient’s weight. Administering too little anesthesia can cause the patient to experience excruciating and unnecessary pain.
Additionally, being awake during surgery can be traumatizing. The patient might be able to see and hear everything that the medical team is doing, but he or she would not be able to communicate with them. This can lead to a significant amount of emotional distress. On the other hand, giving a patient too much anesthesia could result in brain damage or even death.
Another potential error involves insufficient oxygen levels. When patients are put under general anesthesia, medical providers must create an artificial airway for them to breathe. If a medical provider does this incorrectly, the patient will not get enough oxygen during the surgery.
Anesthesiologists should also be monitoring patients during surgery to ensure there are no complications. Inadequate supervision could result in a devastating injury. Anyone who has experienced an anesthesia error during surgery should retain a local attorney right away.
What are Possible Post-Operative Mistakes?
Anesthesia errors do not only occur during operation. It is possible to commit an error after the procedure is over. In the post-operative period, the patient is usually sent to recover in a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). During this time, the patient should be monitored by PACU nurses and anesthesiologists.
If the patient is having problems in the PACU and the anesthesiologist fails to address them appropriately, that can be considered an error. Patients who have suffered harm due to this type of anesthesia error could work with a skilled lawyer to build a legal claim against the negligent party.
Consequences of a Medical Error Related to Numbing Drugs
There are many potential consequences of an anesthesia error. Patients may experience conditions such as:
- Brain damage,
- Damage to the heart,
- Organ damage,
- Spinal cord injuries, and
- Blood pressure complications.
In the event that an anesthesia error results in the death of a patient, a dedicated attorney could work with the deceased’s family to seek justice.
Proving Negligence in a Malpractice Claim
To obtain compensation in a malpractice case, the injured patient or surviving family members must gather evidence to prove the other party’s negligence. A local attorney could review the patient’s medical records and the anesthesiologist’s notes to determine how the error happened.
A seasoned lawyer could also help the filing party gather witness statements or deposition testimony from other people in the operation room. Comments that the medical team made could be useful pieces of evidence.
In Cobb County, injured patients must also obtain an expert witness affidavit. A lawyer could find a qualified medical expert who is familiar with the different medications used for the surgery at issue, the appropriate dosages, and the potential side effects. Once negligence is established, the filing party may pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Seek Legal Help from a Cobb County Anesthesia Error Attorney
Anesthesia error cases are complex. They require extensive knowledge of the laws governing medical malpractice cases. A Cobb County anesthesia error lawyer from our firm could gather evidence, find an expert witness, and take all the steps necessary to prove negligence. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
