Gwinnett County Anesthesia Error Lawyer
While anesthesia is necessary for a wide range of surgical procedures, if anesthesia is not properly administered, the outcomes could be disastrous. Patients who have been injured by a medical provider’s error need to consider speaking with a Gwinnett County anesthesia error lawyer. A well-versed medical malpractice attorney could pursue recovery for your financial losses as well as compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured.
Types of Anesthetics
Various anesthetics are accompanied by known risks, which is why the risk of injury is so grave if an error is made.
General Anesthesia
This type of anesthesia is given to the patient either intravenously or by breathing it in. The patient would be unconscious and unable to remember details of the surgery upon waking. This type of anesthesia may pose the greatest danger in the event of an error. Complications may lead to stroke, choking, irregular heart rate, and cardiac events.
Regional Anesthesia
If a patient is given a regional anesthesia, such as an epidural, he or she would typically remain aware and cognizant of his or her surroundings. Sometimes, the medicine may be administered in addition to the regional anesthetic to aid in relaxation or sleep. Complications may include very low blood pressure, impacted heartbeat and breathing, and serious headaches.
Local Anesthesia
Finally, a local anesthetic typically presents the most minor risk of harm. As its name indicates, a local anesthetic is administered to a specific region of the body. Significant quantities of a local anesthesia, however, may be accompanied by risks such as fluctuations in the patient’s breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Common Forms of Anesthesia Errors
The following are among the most common forms of anesthesia errors:
- Using less anesthesia than the patient needs,
- Using more anesthesia than the patient needs,
- Failing to check the patient’s records for allergies,
- Failure to properly inform a patient before administering an anesthetic, and
- Unnecessary delays in prescribing an anesthetic.
An anesthesia error lawyer in Gwinnett County could thoroughly investigate the victim’s case to determine the source of the injury and seek full and just compensation from all parties who may be liable. Through the assistance of an in-house doctor, a team of client-centered attorneys could rely on the insight of that professional to further address a victim’s needs.
Resulting Injuries
Anesthesia errors have the ability to cause life-changing and even fatal harm to a patient. Common injuries include nerve damage, brain damage, traumatic brain injury, heart attack, and stroke. An anesthesia error may also cause asphyxia, spinal cord injury, and coma. When the injuries from these mistakes are so serious, victims need to rely on a law firm that uses cutting-edge technology to win cases.
Claiming Compensation
Based on the specific patient’s scenario, a Gwinnett County lawyer could recover a multitude of monetary damages for someone injured by an anesthesia error. Compensation may be recovered for the individual’s lost income, medical bills, rehabilitation costs, prescription expenses, pain, suffering, and other damages.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §9-3-71, anesthesia error victims have just two years from the date they are injured to seek legal remedy through a civil lawsuit. The law establishes further limitations for recovery under its five-year statute of repose.
This means that although a patient may not discover his or her injury right away, a lawsuit may not be filed if that person was injured more than five years prior. It is key for injured victims to consult with an experienced lawyer promptly to ensure they are not precluded from pursuing compensation.
Victims Should Consult with a Skilled Gwinnett County Anesthesia Error Attorney
When you or someone you love is hurt due to a healthcare professional’s preventable error, you may be entitled to a broad range of compensation. A Gwinnett County anesthesia error lawyer could manage all aspects of your case, from an investigation of liability to negotiating your claim with insurance companies or before the court.
Call as soon as possible to fix a time for your free case review with a Gwinnett County attorney. Lawyers stand ready to take calls after normal hours and speak directly to you.