Medical Malpractice and the Risks of Anesthesia

While anesthesia can be a wonderful tool during surgeries, it also comes with several potential risks and complications. In fact, one simple error or mistake made by an anesthesiologist or medical professional can lead to long-term, permanent consequences, such as brain damage, cardiac arrest, permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, and even death.

While many doctors or anesthesiologists will not easily admit to their mistakes and mishaps during your procedure, it is important that you know that you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation if you have been a victim of anesthesia medical malpractice.

What is anesthesia?

According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, anesthesia is a type of “medical treatment that prevents patients from feeling pain during procedures like surgery, certain screening and diagnostic tests, tissue sample removal, and dental work.” This type of treatment is administered by trained medical professionals who know how to properly use anesthetic drugs. These drugs usually put people to sleep and make them unconscious, so they do not feel anything going on during the procedure. However, if the procedure is not serious, the individual may remain awake while certain parts of their body are numb. Here are the different types of anesthesia:

• General anesthesia: General anesthesia is when the individual is completely unconscious. They are unable to move any part of their body, and they are usually in a deep sleep. This type of anesthesia is most often used for very serious surgeries and procedures, such as heart surgery, brain surgery, organ surgery, and more.
• Local anesthesia: Local anesthesia is when the person is able to stay awake and alert during the surgery or procedure. A small part of their body is numbed to ensure that they do not feel anything. This type of anesthesia is common among individuals having a tooth pulled, stitches put in, cataracts removed, and more.
• Regional anesthesia: Regional anesthesia is used to numb a large part of an individual’s body, while also allowing them to stay awake and alert. This type of anesthesia may be used to numb an entire leg, arm, arm, or foot. Many women have been given regional anesthesia as an epidural or during a cesarean delivery to ease the pain of giving birth.

What are the risks of anesthesia?

There are many different risks associated with anesthesia. The reason for this is because the hospital staff, nurses, doctors, or anesthesiologists only have to make one mistake or error, and you can become permanently brain dead, paralyzed, or instantly die. The most common risks of anesthesia include:

• You may receive the improper medicine or dosage amount during anesthesia.
• The anesthesia equipment may be faulty or defective during your surgery.
• It may take a long time for the anesthesia to work on your body.
• The anesthesia may last too long, causing you to experience sedation for too long.
• The anesthesiologist failed to monitor you carefully and accurately.
• Your fluids, medications, blood, and other levels were not properly managed during your procedure.
• The anesthesiologist failed to put or keep you under anesthesia, causing you to wake up or feel pain during the procedure.

What types of injuries and complications can occur while under anesthesia?

The types of injuries and complications that a person may experience during anesthesia depend on the mistakes and errors made by the anesthesiologists and healthcare professionals during the procedure. The following are some of the common injuries and complications that many individuals have suffered when put under anesthesia:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Asphyxia and other respiratory issues
• Cardiac arrest and other heart-related problems
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Brain damage
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Cuts and lacerations to lips, throat, tongue, gums, trachea, and other areas within the mouth
• Strokes
• Malignant hyperthermia
• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Consciousness or waking up while under anesthesia
• Nerve injuries and damage
• Sore throat
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Paralysis
• Coma
• Death

Who is most at risk when under anesthesia?

Some people have been put under anesthesia multiple times in their lives with no problems whatsoever. However, there are some individuals who are more at risk than others, such as:

• Individuals who are allergic to anesthesia
• People who are overweight or have obesity
• Individuals with sleep problems or sleep apnea
• Those who have a history of strokes or seizures
• Individuals with heart problems
• Diabetic people
• Those with high blood pressure
• People with kidney issues
• Individuals with lung problems
• Smokers and alcoholics (or those who drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day)

Who can be held liable for an anesthesia error?

All anesthesiologists, physicians, and nurses have a duty to make sure that every step and precaution is taken to avoid any mistakes, errors, or anesthesia complications from occurring. Therefore, almost all anesthesia injuries and complications are preventable. If the anesthesiologist or healthcare provider properly evaluated the patient, monitored them before and after the procedure, and used the correct dosage and medications, these mistakes and errors would not occur.

These are some of the various liable parties that medical malpractice attorneys may consider when looking at your case:

• Anesthesiologist
• Hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office
• Surgeon
• Doctor
• Nurse
• Other medical staff members
• Pharmaceutical or prescription companies
• Manufacturers of medical devices and equipment

Your Mississippi medical malpractice lawyer will analyze the facts of your case to determine who is at fault for your injuries and losses. After one or more parties are considered to be liable for your accident, our attorneys will protect and fight for your rights. We have the skills and training to stand up to large and powerful companies and demand the compensation you need and deserve to get your life back on track.

If you or a family member suffered injuries or other complications due to an anesthesia mistake, please contact a Mississippi medical malpractice attorney from Merkel & Cocke today. These types of cases can be difficult to prove. However, with our team’s knowledge and guidance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are in good hands when it comes to your medical malpractice case. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Jackson, Clarksdale, Greenville, and Oxford for your convenience.