Anesthesia is commonly used in the practice of medicine. These medications prevent patients from feeling pain during procedures. In many cases, patients do not remember the medical procedure when they are under general anesthesia.
Anesthetics can be highly dangerous due to risks and side effects. The Miami anesthesia error lawyers of Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers have helped injured patients since 2007. Our attorneys work to recover compensation for patients who have suffered harm due to anesthesia errors.
Contact our law office in Miami, Florida, at (305) 937-0191 to discuss how we can help you. Your initial consultation with a Miami medical malpractice lawyer is free of charge.
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How Our Miami Medical Malpractice Lawyers Can Help You After an Anesthesia Error
Injuries due to an anesthesia error can have life-altering consequences for the patient. Anesthesia errors can cause permanent disabilities and impairments.
Medical malpractice claims involving anesthesia errors can be extremely complicated. Hospitals, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and insurance companies aggressively defend malpractice claims. They have extensive resources at their disposal to fight your claim.
The Miami medical malpractice attorneys of Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers have the resources and experience to handle complex medical malpractice claims. Our entire team of legal professionals will be on your side, fighting for fair and just compensation.
When you hire our law firm to handle your injury claim, we will:
- Conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine what happened to you
- Identify all parties who were responsible for your injuries
- Review your medical history and records
- Retain medical experts and other professionals to establish the extent of your injuries and damages
- Negotiate a fair settlement amount for your case
- Prepare and file all claims and court documents to protect your legal rights
Many medical malpractice claims settle without going to court. However, our attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers. They will not shy away from court to protect your best interests.
We encourage you to contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our medical malpractice attorneys in Miami, Florida, to discuss your anesthesia injury.
How Common are Anesthesia Errors?
Anesthesia errors may be underreported. If a patient suffers complications from anesthesia without permanent impairment, the matter may be covered up as a “normal” side effect or risk. Accordingly, a patient may never realize that they were injured because of a medical error.
A study found that anesthesia errors caused 131 deaths from 2007 through 2014. During that time, patients reported 17,116 anesthesia errors.
Overview of Anesthesia Errors and Anesthesia Injury Claims
There are several different types of anesthesia. The type of anesthesia used depends on the surgical procedure or medical procedure being performed.
Local anesthesia numbs just a small area. For example, it may be used when a wound needs stitches or a dentist fills a cavity. Regional anesthesia numbs larger areas, such as an appendage or everything below the waist. The patient is generally awake when local or regional anesthesia is used.
General anesthesia renders the person unconscious. The person cannot move and is not aware of any pain. General anesthesia is used during operations such as back surgery, organ transplants, knee replacements, and heart surgery.
Why Do Anesthesia Errors Occur?
Some anesthesia errors may be unavoidable. For example, there could be a defect with the equipment that is unknown to the medical staff. The patient could have an unknown allergy to the anesthetics used during the procedure.
However, many of the mistakes made when administering anesthesia are made because of human error. The health care provider breached the standard of care when treating the patient. When the level of care falls below a certain standard, the patient may have cause for a medical malpractice claim.
Common anesthesia errors in Miami-Dade County include, but are not limited to:
- Failing to monitor the patient during and after a procedure, including the patient’s blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and other vitals
- Administering the incorrect anesthetic
- Failing to review the patient’s medical history for risks and potential interactions with other medications
- Not administering enough of the anesthesia or administering too much medication
- Failing to administer oxygen or the correct amount of oxygen
- Working under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Mistakes made while intubating a patient or failing to intubate a patient
- Allowing patients to remain under anesthesia too long
- Mistakes made because of a lack of communication or communication errors
One of the most common anesthesia errors is failing to monitor the patient. Anesthesia is a powerful drug. The effects are quick and can be deadly when mistakes are made.
Anesthesia Errors Can Result in Catastrophic Injuries
In most cases, anesthesia is safe. Of course, there are always risks, but the risks are minimal for most people when a trained medical professional closely monitors the patient.
Unfortunately, when anesthesia errors occur, the patient may be injured. Common injuries that can result from errors with anesthesia include:
- Stroke
- Asphyxia
- Coma
- Brain damage
- Cardiopulmonary arrest
- Internal bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Heart attack
- Wrongful death
If you believe an anesthesia error caused your injury, you should seek immediate medical treatment. Prompt medical care can help reduce the risk of permanent impairment or death.
What Damages Can I Recover for an Anesthesia Error in Florida?
The damages you might recover in a medical malpractice claim depend on the facts of your case.
Most individuals receive compensation for their:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Disabilities and impairments
Your time to file a medical malpractice claim for an anesthesia error is limited. Florida’s statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for filing medical malpractice claims. Generally, you have just two years from the date you discovered or should have discovered the anesthesia injury to file your claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Miami Medical Malpractice Attorney
Get the legal advice you need during a free consultation with one of our Miami anesthesia error attorneys. We are here when you need a trusted legal advocate to fight for justice and fair compensation. Contact us today for help.