Millions of Americans undergo anesthesia-involved procedures each year. Unfortunately, when a mistake occurs during the process of receiving anesthesia, patients can experience significant harm. At The Doan Law Firm, we are here to help if you need a Houston medical malpractice lawyer by your side. We understand the complexities of these types of medical malpractice claims, and we are ready to move forward all the way to trial if necessary.
Why Choose The Doan Law Firm?
At The Doan Law Firm, our team has extensive resources at our disposal, which means we will not be intimidated by insurance carriers or other legal teams.
We know how hard medical malpractice claims can be to win, and we are certainly ready for the fight. We will not back down when your financial livelihood and well-being are on the line.
You can contact us for a free consultation, and we even handle the entire case on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to worry about paying legal fees until after we successfully recover compensation for you.
What Types of Anesthesia Errors Can Occur?
Anesthesia errors can occur in various ways, each posing significant risks to patients. Here are some common types of anesthesia errors:
Dosage Errors. Incorrect dosages of anesthesia can lead to severe complications. Too much anesthesia can cause prolonged unconsciousness, brain damage, or death. Too little anesthesia can result in the patient waking up during surgery, experiencing pain, and psychological trauma.
Failure to Monitor. Anesthesiologists must closely monitor patients’ vital signs throughout the procedure. Failure to do so can lead to undetected complications such as hypoxia (lack of oxygen), which can cause brain damage or other serious injuries.
Intubation Errors. Proper intubation is critical for ensuring that a patient receives adequate oxygen. Errors in this process can lead to airway obstructions, insufficient oxygen delivery, or physical damage to the trachea or esophagus.
Allergic Reactions. Administering anesthesia without thoroughly reviewing a patient’s medical history can result in severe allergic reactions. Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic response, can occur if the anesthesiologist fails to identify potential allergens.
Equipment Malfunctions. Faulty or improperly maintained anesthesia equipment can cause significant harm. Issues such as leaks in the anesthesia delivery system or malfunctioning monitoring devices can lead to inadequate anesthesia or unrecognized complications.
Consequences of Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia errors can have devastating consequences for patients, including:
Brain Damage. Lack of oxygen during surgery due to anesthesia errors can lead to permanent brain damage, affecting cognitive functions, motor skills, and overall quality of life.
Cardiovascular Complications. Incorrect dosages or failure to monitor can cause cardiovascular issues such as arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, or prolonged hypotension, leading to severe health outcomes or death.
Nerve Damage. Errors during regional or local anesthesia administration can result in nerve damage, causing chronic pain, numbness, or paralysis in the affected area.
Psychological Trauma. Experiencing awareness during surgery, a condition known as anesthesia awareness, can lead to long-term psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Death. In the most severe cases, anesthesia errors can be fatal. The loss of a loved one due to medical negligence is a tragedy that no family should endure.
Can Victims of These Mistakes Recover Compensation?
Victims of anesthesia errors may be entitled to various forms of compensation. The types of damages you can recover include:
Medical Expenses. Compensation for all medical costs related to the injury, including hospital bills, rehabilitation, and any necessary long-term care.
Lost Wages. If the injury prevents work-related duties, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes future earnings if the injury impacts your ability to work permanently.
Pain and Suffering. Damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life resulting from the anesthesia error.
Loss of Consortium. Compensation for the impact of the injury on your relationship with your spouse or family members.
How an Anesthesia Error Attorney Can Help
Navigating a medical malpractice claim involving anesthesia errors can be complex and challenging. An experienced Houston anesthesia error attorney can provide invaluable assistance by:
Investigating the Case. Thoroughly investigating the circumstances of the anesthesia error, gathering evidence, and identifying liable parties.
Working with Medical Experts. Collaborating with medical professionals to establish the standard of care and demonstrate how the negligence occurred.
Negotiating with Insurers. Handling all discussions and negotiations with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Representing You in Court. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to trial and advocate for your rights.
Call an Anesthesia Error Lawyer in Houston Today
Sustaining an anesthesia error can be life-changing, and victims should be able to hold negligent medical professionals accountable. At The Doan Law Firm, we understand your pain, and we know you want to move forward. Let us help. When you need a Houston anesthesia error attorney, our team can step in. Let us offer a free consultation so we can discuss your next steps moving forward.