Anesthesia is administered to patients under various types of medical procedures, like surgery and dental care. Administered properly, anesthesia can permit procedures that would otherwise be extremely painful or outright impossible.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for an anesthesiologist to make costly mistakes that might lead to serious injuries. If you sustain injuries following an anesthesiologist’s mistake, you may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Injuries that are likely to result from anesthesia errors
The nature of injuries caused by anesthesia errors will largely depend on the extent of the mistake and the subsequent medical response. That said, here are some of the injuries you are likely to sustain following anesthesia errors:
- Loss of bodily function
- Coma
- Asphyxia or lack of oxygen supply to the body
- Spinal cord injury
- Cardiovascular injury
- Death
Anesthesia mistakes happen in a number of ways. Here are some of them:
When the patient’s response to anesthetic isn’t monitored
The anesthesiologist has a duty to monitor and regulate the patient’s heart rate and oxygen level while on anesthesia. If they fail to perform these tasks, leading to brain injury or death of the patient, then they may be held accountable.
When the anesthesiologist administers the wrong dosage
It is important that the anesthesiologist injects the patient with the right amount of anesthesia. A higher dosage can lead to extended sedation, and this could lead to brain damage or even a coma. An insufficient dosage, on the other hand, can lead to the patient experiencing pain during the procedure.
If you or someone you love has sustained injuries during anesthesia mistakes, you may consider pursuing the healthcare provider or hospital for compensation for your injuries.
