When a patient undergoes surgery, anesthesia is almost always administered. In many cases, general anesthesia is used, which renders a patient unconscious rather than just numbing the surgical site. While general anesthesia can be a useful tool during surgery, its use can also be dangerous. When an anesthesia error occurs, the results can be catastrophic.

At the law office of MichieHamlett, our attorneys are here to support you if you or a loved one has suffered severe harm because of an anesthesiologist’s mistake. A Charlottesville anesthesia errors lawyer from our team can evaluate your situation and explain your options. Please contact our dedicated medical malpractice attorneys today to learn more about filing a medical malpractice claim.

Types of Anesthesia Errors

Taking care to administer anesthesia correctly to a patient is critical; an error could have devastating effects. Common types of anesthesia errors that should never happen include:

  • Administering the wrong dosage of anesthesia (too much or too little)
  • Failing to correctly intubate a patient
  • Failing to recognize complications in the patient, which may be a result of failing to properly monitor the patient
  • Failing to properly deliver oxygen to the patient or monitor the delivery of oxygen
  • Failing to ensure that the alarm of the patient’s pulse oximeter is turned on and is working properly
  • Failing to provide the patient with post-operative care and monitoring
  • Failing to give the patient pre-operative instructions related to eating and drinking before anesthesia
  • Failing to verify the patient’s identity before administering anesthesia and beginning surgery

Complications and Effects of Anesthesia Errors

The effects of an anesthesia error will vary patient-to-patient and error-to-error. That being said, some of the most common complications of an anesthesia mistake include:

  • Patient pain, nausea and vomiting, mental confusion, tooth damage, and sore throat
  • Respiratory difficulties or/and damage to the larynx
  • Allergic reaction, which could be fatal
  • Pneumonia
  • Traumatic brain injury as a result of a lack of oxygen to the brain
  • Stroke
  • Nerve injury
  • Heart attack
  • Blood clots
  • Remaining conscious during the operation
  • Death

Get Help in Bringing Forth a Medical Malpractice Claim

Whether you have been a victim of an anesthesia error yourself or are representing a family member who suffered serious or fatal injuries as a result of an anesthesia error, you have certain rights. If you can prove that the anesthesiologist, the hospital, or another medical professional breached the medical standard of care owed to you (the patient), and that injuries would not have occurred but for the breach, then you can recover damages for your losses. While damages in medical malpractice claims in Virginia are capped (in the millions of dollars), you can seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, emotional distress, and any other economic or non-economic losses you’ve experienced.

Call Our Charlottesville Anesthesia Errors Attorneys Today

Being harmed by an anesthesia error is a terrifying and shocking experience. If you have suffered injuries, you deserve fair compensation, and the responsible party should be held accountable. A Charlottesville anesthesia errors lawyer at MichieHamlett can explain your rights and assist you in filing a medical malpractice claim. Please call our law firm directly today or contact us online at your convenience.