Anesthesia Errors

Respected Savannah Lawyers Firm Committed to Fighting to on Behalf of Victims of Medical Malpractice

Anesthesia plays a crucial role in modern medicine, enabling patients to undergo surgeries and procedures without pain. However, errors in administering anesthesia can lead to severe, sometimes fatal, consequences. At Suthers & Harper, we are dedicated to assisting patients in Savannah and throughout Georgia who have suffered due to anesthesia mistakes, helping them seek justice and the appropriate compensation.

Understanding Anesthesia Mistakes

Anesthesia errors are preventable incidents that occur during the administration of anesthetic agents, resulting in patient harm. These mistakes can happen at any stage—before, during, or after surgery and may involve:

• Dosage Errors: Administering too much or too little anesthesia, leading to overdose or insufficient sedation.
• Medication Mistakes : Using the wrong drug or failing to recognize harmful drug interactions.
• Monitoring Failures: Inadequate monitoring of vital signs, leading to unrecognized complications.
• Equipment Malfunctions: Failures in anesthesia delivery systems or related equipment.
• Intubation Errors: Improper placement of breathing tubes, causing airway complications.

Statistics on Anesthesia Errors

While advancements in medical practices have reduced anesthesia-related complications, errors still occur. Studies indicate that approximately 1 in every 133 anesthetic administrations involves a medication error or adverse drug event. Of these incidents, about one-third result in observable patient harm, while the remaining two-thirds have the potential to cause harm. Additionally, research suggests that anesthesia-related mortality rates range from 1 in 13,000 to 1 in 200,000 procedures, depending on various factors.

Common Causes of Anesthesia Errors

Several factors contribute to anesthesia mistakes, often rooted in negligence or systemic issues within healthcare settings:

• Inadequate Preoperative Assessment: Failing to thoroughly evaluate a patient’s medical history, allergies, or current medications.
• Communication Breakdowns: Poor coordination among surgical team members, leading to misunderstandings or oversights.
• Fatigue and Inattention: Long working hours and high-stress environments can result in lapses in concentration.
• Insufficient Training: Lack of proper education or experience in handling anesthesia equipment or drugs.
• Equipment Issues: Use of faulty or improperly maintained anesthesia machines or monitoring devices.

Consequences of Anesthesia Mistakes

Errors in anesthesia administration can lead to a range of serious health complications, including:

• Brain Damage: Prolonged oxygen deprivation can cause irreversible neurological injuries.
• Cardiovascular Complications: Irregular heart rhythms, heart attacks, or cardiac arrest.
• Respiratory Issues: Difficulty breathing, aspiration pneumonia, or respiratory failure.
• Awareness During Surgery: Patients may become conscious during procedures, leading to psychological trauma.
• Death: In severe cases, anesthesia errors can be fatal.

Proving Negligence in Anesthesia Error Cases

To establish a medical malpractice claim involving anesthesia errors, the following elements must be demonstrated:

1. Duty of Care: The anesthesiologist or medical professional had a responsibility to provide standard care.
2. Breach of Duty: The provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care in administering anesthesia.
3. Causation: This breach directly caused harm to the patient.
4. Damages: The patient suffered quantifiable injuries or losses as a result.

These cases often require comprehensive investigation and expert testimony to substantiate claims of negligence.

How a Savannah Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help

Navigating the complexities of medical malpractice claims, especially those involving anesthesia errors, requires advanced knowledge of these complex claims. At Suthers & Harper, our experienced attorneys collaborate with medical experts to:

• Thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the anesthesia error.
• Gather and analyze pertinent medical records and evidence.
• Consult with medical professionals to establish deviations from standard care.
• Advocate for fair compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

Speak With a Savannah Anesthesia Errors Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered due to an anesthesia mistake, it’s essential to seek legal counsel promptly. Georgia law imposes strict deadlines for filing medical malpractice claims, typically within two years of the injury. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Savannah medical malpractice lawyer at Suthers & Harper, give us a call at 800-320-2384. You can also reach us by completing our secure online contact form.