Anesthesia is a vital part of modern medicine that permits medical professionals the ability to perform procedures and surgeries that otherwise would not be possible. Regrettably, anesthetic errors are among the most common sources of medical malpractice cases. When an anesthesiologist or doctor makes a mistake on a patient’s anesthesia, the results can be catastrophic.
How Anesthesia Works
Anesthesia is a medication that numbs specific parts of a person’s body. It is also used to render a person unconscious. Surgeons and other medical professionals may use this to perform medical procedures on a person with minimal pain or discomfort. The following are the four main types of the medication:
- Local anesthesia affecting only a small section of a person’s body – This can be used during
dental procedures or when there is a topical injury. - Regional anesthesia used to numb a larger section of a person’s body – This type of anesthesia can be used to numb a person’s entire leg or arm. It is commonly used when treating a bone fracture or a wound that is too large the use of local anesthesia.
- Monitored sedation allows for a patient to remain conscious during the procedure – This type of medication will provide numbing effects but will still allow the person to remain awake during the medical procedure. It is common in procedures such as childbirth.
- General anesthesia will render a person completely unconscious – This can be used for major
surgeries such as heart surgery, knee replacement, or cosmetic procedures.
Potential Consequences of an Error Involving Anesthesia
When medicating a person with anesthesia, any amount can have dangerous consequences if administered incorrectly. Medical professionals need to cautiously examine a person’s medical history and current medical condition in effort of ensuring that the correct dose is administered. Additionally, there are some people who can be allergic to the medication or the mixture of medications. If the medical staff has overlooked these issues, the consequences can even be fatal.
Anesthetic errors can result in a multitude of problems for the patient. Symptoms of an incorrect dose can include, but are not limited to:
- Vomiting,
- Nausea,
- Heart rate issues,
- Dizziness,
- Organ damage,
- Brain damage,
- Ringing in the ears,
- Lack of oxygen or the inability to breath, and/or
- Spinal cord injuries
Obtain the Legal Support of a Skilled Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or someone you know has suffered injuries because of an anesthesia error, it is highly recommended to seek the legal support of an attorney who has experience in handling medical malpractice cases. Patients who have been injured as a result of an anesthetic discrepancy could receive monetary compensation for their injuries. Medical malpractice cases in the State of California are subject to time limitations; seek the support of an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
The attorneys at SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporation are committed to assisting injured victims obtain the compensation they deserve after undergoing an anesthetic error. The firm has many years of dedicated experienced in handling medical malpractice cases in the State of California.
