Undergoing a medical procedure often requires anesthesia to ensure a patient remains pain-free and stable. Unfortunately, anesthesiologists can make mistakes, and the side effects can be life-changing. In some cases, they are even fatal. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to an anesthesia-related error, a Southfield anesthesia errors lawyer may be able to help you pursue compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
An anesthesia error typically occurs when a medical provider fails to administer the anesthesia medication correctly before, during, or after a procedure. These errors may arise from negligence, improper monitoring, or poor communication between team members. Consult with a medical malpractice attorney if you have experienced any complications of anesthesia errors.
Common Anesthesia Errors
While most people never expect to experience any sort of anesthesia error, they are not uncommon. Common anesthesia errors often include dosage mistakes. Administering too much anesthesia can lead to prolonged unconsciousness, brain damage, or death. On the other hand, providing too little anesthesia can result in a patient waking up too early, which can be traumatizing and painful. In other cases, a medical provider may delay anesthesia administration, increasing the risk of complications or making the procedure more painful.
Anesthesiologists are responsible for monitoring a patient’s oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. If they fail to recognize warning signs that something is wrong, the patient may suffer serious complications. One more common anesthesia error is a result of improper intubation, in which the patient is ultimately deprived of oxygen or experiences aspiration from the stomach into the lungs. An attorney in Southfield could review an anesthesia error case to determine the cause and who is responsible.
Potential Consequences of Anesthesia Mistakes
The effects of anesthesia malpractice can range from temporary discomfort to permanent disability or wrongful death. For instance, victims may suffer brain damage, heart complications, or post-traumatic stress disorder from anesthesia awareness. Intubation errors can cause serious damage to the teeth, vocal cords, or throat. Some patients even experience coma or death. In the wake of these injuries, patients or their loved ones may seek damages.
In order to receive damages in these cases, the victim must prove negligence. During an anesthesia malpractice claim, a victim or their attorney will prove that a doctor-patient relationship existed and that the anesthesiologist owed the patient a duty of care. The claim must demonstrate that the breach of duty failed to meet the accepted medical standard and that this breach caused an injury resulting in damages. In many cases, medical malpractice claims involving anesthesia errors require expert testimony to establish what a competent provider would have done in similar circumstances.
Available Damages Caused by Anesthesia Errors
Although Michigan does not allow punitive or exemplary damages in personal injury cases, victims of anesthesia malpractice may be eligible to receive economic and non-economic damages. These damages can include past and future medical expenses in addition to rehabilitation and therapy costs. Patients may recover lost income or finances related to their diminished earning capacity. Pain and suffering damages are also an option in many cases.
In cases of fatal anesthesia errors, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for costs like funeral expenses and loss of financial support. In some cases, family members can receive compensation for loss of companionship. Anesthesia error cases can be difficult to prove, which is why hiring a Southfield attorney is so important.
Contact a Southfield Anesthesia Errors Attorney Today
Medical malpractice cases can be complex, especially when you are dealing with a hospital or a large medical group with deep pockets. An attorney familiar with Michigan laws and anesthesia error claims can become a crucial advocate as you recover.
Do not wait to seek legal help for medical malpractice. Set up a consultation with a steadfast Southfield anesthesia error lawyer today to assess your case and pursue justice.
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