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As many as 400,000 medical patients suffer some form of preventable harm each year, and another nearly 200,000 more die from them, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine. Anesthesia errors are one of the main categories of these errors and can have devastating consequences.
What should be a routine step in a medical procedure can become a life-threatening situation when mistakes are made. We rely on anesthesiologists and other medical professionals to administer anesthesia safely and monitor the patient properly throughout surgery.
When they fail in their duties, patients and their families may often face devastating physical, emotional, and financial hardships. If this includes you or your family, a Louisville anesthesia error lawyer may be able to help you seek justice and maximum compensation for your losses and suffering.
What are “Anesthesia Errors?”
Anesthesia plays a crucial role in medicine, allowing surgery patients to undergo procedures without experiencing pain or discomfort. While generally safe when administered correctly, anesthesia errors can occur at any stage of the medical process.
A report by Dr. Femi Oyebode of the University of Birmingham states that “the reported incidence of medication errors in acute hospitals is approximately 6.5 per 100 admissions”, and is “widely accepted to be the most common and preventable cause of patient injury.”
These errors can cause severe long-term complications, including brain damage, paralysis, and even death.
There are multiple forms of medical malpractice that can happen when it comes to anesthesia. In some cases, anesthesiologists may not evaluate a patient’s medical history correctly, leading to severe interactions with other current medications or pre-existing health conditions.
When these mistakes happen, the results can be catastrophic.
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Common Types of Anesthesia Mistakes
Anesthesia errors can come in many forms, each with their own risks. Some of the most common types of anesthesia errors include:
- Dosage Errors: If too much or too little anesthesia is administered, there can be serious consequences. Excessive anesthesia can cause brain damage, internal organ failure, or even a fatal reaction, while not enough anesthesia risks the patient waking up during a surgical procedure, which can result in suffering extreme pain and psychological trauma.
- Monitoring Failures: Anesthesiologists are also responsible for monitoring important vital signs during a surgical procedure. Monitoring mistakes can result in severe complications like oxygen levels getting too low, possibly leading to permanent brain damage or death.
- Administration Delays: Administering anesthesia at the right time is also critical for the success of many surgical procedures. Delays can lead to severe complications, including longer recovery times and increased infection risk.
- Equipment Malfunctions: The delivery systems and anesthesia monitoring equipment must function and be used correctly for the patient’s safety. Machine errors or incorrect use of this vital equipment may lead to serious harm.
Any of these errors can have grave consequences for a surgery patient, and lead to long-term health problems or death. If you’ve been a victim of these errors, a Louisville anesthesia error attorney can help you and your family seek compensation for your injuries and hold the responsible parties accountable for their malpractice.
The Impact of Errors Involving Anesthesia
Anesthesia errors can profoundly impact patients and their families. As well as the physical harm caused by these errors, victims and their families may experience emotional trauma like PTSD as they cope with the painful aftermath. They may also face overwhelming financial burdens like medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of ongoing care or therapy.
There can be many consequences from anesthesia errors, depending on the severity. Victims may suffer minor injuries, while others may experience life-long damage. In some tragic cases, anesthesia errors can lead to wrongful death, leaving behind devastated families in search of answers.
Whatever the outcome, these types of medical errors can make us question our trust in the medical system. If you’ve been harmed by an anesthesia mistake, you may feel betrayed by the very professionals you trusted to keep you safe, and you may deserve compensation for your unnecessary suffering.
How a Louisville Anesthesia Error Lawyer Can Help
Working your way through the legal process following an anesthesia error can be overwhelming, especially if you’re still recovering from injuries. A medical malpractice attorney can be an invaluable support and provide you with guidance by helping you and your family understand your legal rights and options.
A key role of a lawyer is to investigate the circumstances surrounding your surgical error. This often involves reviewing your medical records, conferring with medical experts, and finding proof of negligence or errors in your care. By meticulously examining the details of your injury, your lawyer builds a compelling argument for your maximum compensation.
After gathering this evidence, your lawyer will likely seek to negotiate a settlement with the responsible healthcare parties or their insurance representatives. In most cases, these kinds of medical malpractice claims are resolved through these negotiations rather than going to court.
If a fair settlement can’t be reached, however, your anesthesia error attorney is prepared to take your case to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Throughout this process, a competent lawyer will keep you informed and involved, ensuring that you understand what’s happening along each step. This can provide you and your family with some much-needed peace of mind during this difficult time, and help you to focus on recovery while knowing that your legal rights are being protected.
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Compensation for Anesthesia Errors
As the victims of an anesthesia error, you may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of economic and non-economic losses and damages, based on the severity of your injuries and how much they’ve impacted your life.
Compensation in these cases can include:
- Medical Expenses: Anesthesia errors can often lead to the need for additional medical treatments like medications, surgeries, and rehabilitation. Legal compensation can help cover these medical expenses, as well as any that may come in the future.
- Lost Wages: In the wake of an anesthesia error, you may find yourself unable to work while you recover. Financial compensation can help to replace that income and provide some financial stability during this time.
- Pain and Suffering: Anesthesia mistakes can cause both physical pain and emotional distress. Compensation for your pain and suffering can help address the emotional toll of your injury, and help bring closure to you and your family.
- Extended Care: In some cases, anesthesia errors can result in permanent damage, and the victim may need long-term care or daily assistance with activities. Financial compensation can help cover these extended care costs and make sure that ongoing needs are met.
A Louisville anesthesia error attorney will use the evidence they’ve gathered to fight for the maximum compensation that you’re entitled to you make sure that all of your current and future needs are taken into account.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
How quickly a claim is filed is a critical factor in anesthesia error cases. Kentucky’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims requires victims to take legal action within a specific amount of time, typically two years from the date of the injury or when the injury was discovered, or within one year of a wrongful death.
If you don’t file a claim within this time frame, you can lose your right to seek compensation.
In addition to legal deadlines, acting quickly is an important step in preserving evidence. Medical records, witness reports, and other key evidence can become harder to get as time passes. By consulting with an attorney as soon as possible, you can help ensure that your case is thoroughly investigated and your legal rights are protected while still meeting legal deadlines.
Experiencing an anesthesia error can have life-altering consequences for you and your family. If these errors are the result of medical negligence, you have the right to seek justice and compensation for your injuries and losses.
At McCoy & Hiestand, PLC, we can provide you with the legal expertise and support you need to navigate the legal process and help you get the compensation that you and your family deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
With our dedicated legal representation, you can focus on your recovery, safe in the knowledge that your legal rights are being protected.
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Contact an Anesthesia Error Lawyer in Louisville
If you've been hurt by an anesthesiologist's error, you're not alone. The experienced legal team of McCoy & Hiestand, PLC is standing by to help. Get in touch today and we'll match you with the right attorney for your case. Schedule a confidential, no-cost case evaluation.