Anesthesia errors are a significant concern in the medical field that affect countless patients on a daily basis. According to the National Institutes of Health, complications with anesthesia can lead to severe and often life-altering consequences. From administering the wrong dosage to failing to monitor the patient’s vital signs, such mistakes often cause permanent injury or even death.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a mistake with anesthesia in Georgia, you may be able to seek compensation. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys can fight to ensure your medical provider is held accountable for your injuries. To learn how we can help, contact Gautreaux Law today for a free consultation.
When Anesthesia Goes Wrong
Errors around anesthesia happen in various ways, each with potentially devastating effects on patients. Every case is unique, but several common mistakes often appear in malpractice cases.
Anesthesiologists have to be very careful about how much anesthetic they administer to a person. Too much or too little can cause major problems. For example, overdosing can result in brain damage or death, while underdosing increases the chances of the patient waking up during the surgery and experiencing trauma and pain.
These medical professionals are also responsible for monitoring a patient’s vital signs throughout the course of the surgery. Failing to monitor the patient or doing so improperly may allow complications to go undetected, some of which could cause the person to go into cardiac arrest or suffer brain damage.
Miscommunication between medical staff sometimes leads to an incorrect dosage of anesthetic as well. This might include not properly discussing patient allergies or a previous adverse reaction to anesthesia.
Timely administration is also important. Delays might cause the patient unnecessary pain and stress. Likewise, using the wrong type of anesthetic can lead to adverse reactions and complications.
The Human Cost of Anesthesia Mistakes in Georgia
Injuries from anesthesia errors in Georgia are often profound and far-reaching. Patients can suffer from a range of issues in the aftermath.
The physical cost of such mistakes tends to include permanent nerve damage, brain damage, and even death. Psychologically, experiencing pain during the procedure or waking up in the middle of the surgery can create severe distress and lead to emotional trauma, including PTSD.
Additionally, the patient could require ongoing long-term medical care to deal with the fallout of the medical staff’s mistake. Rehab, additional treatments, and lost wages soon add up to create a substantial financial burden on the victims and their families.
Your Path to Healing and Compensation
In Georgia, victims of anesthesia errors have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. The process typically involves filing a claim of medical malpractice against the parties responsible, which might include the anesthesiologist, surgeon, or the medical facility itself.
To prove malpractice, several elements have to be established, including:
- Duty of Care: The medical professional owed the patient a duty of care
- Breach of Duty: The medical professional breached that duty through error or negligence
- Causation: There’s a direct link between the breach of duty and the injury of the patient
- Damages: The breach caused losses that are compensable under Georgia law
Proving that an anesthetic error caused the injuries may sound straightforward, but it’s actually quite complicated. To ensure a strong medical malpractice claim, there must be substantial evidence and expert testimony to back it up. Therefore, consulting with an experienced attorney is vital.
How Gautreaux Law Can Help
It can seem daunting to navigate the intricacies of a medical malpractice claim, but our experienced team at Gautreaux Law can help. We have a proven track record of securing favorable outcomes for our clients. Our attorneys can thoroughly investigate your case, gather the evidence, and work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of an anesthesia error, it’s essential for you to seek immediate medical attention. Your health and safety are the most important, so make sure your needs are addressed promptly.
As you receive care, make sure to document everything. Keep detailed records of your treatments, any conversations you have with your healthcare providers, and any symptoms or issues you experience.
Your next step should be to contact one of our qualified medical malpractice attorneys. They can evaluate your case, advise you on your legal options, and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Georgia Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today
Our team stands out for its dedicated approach to client advocacy. We understand the emotional and physical toll that anesthesia errors can take on victims and their families. Our commitment to personalized legal service ensures that each client receives the attention and support they need.
Gautreaux Law has extensive experience handling cases in Macon, Warner Robins and across the state of Georgia that involve medical malpractice and errors in anesthetics. Let us help you navigate this complicated legal landscape. Contact us to speak to a skilled medical malpractice attorney today.