Anesthesia Mistakes Can Have Devastating Consequences

When people think about surgery, they tend to get nervous. Maybe they have seen some TV shows that show errors that can be made during a surgical procedure. However, one thing that many people do not think about is just how delicate balance anesthesia is. We know that more than 100 million surgical procedures are performed in the country each year that require the use of anesthesia.

Anesthesiologist has a very important job and they are highly trained doctors. However, there are still far too many mistakes made when it comes to anesthesia. Between 2010 and 2013, there was a death rate of about three people per 10,000 surgeries or procedures in which anesthesia was used.

At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we know that there are risks associated with any surgical procedure. However, we believe healthcare providers should be held responsible when they make mistakes. If you need an anesthesia malpractice attorney in Philadelphia, you can count on us to secure the compensation you deserve.

What Is It?

There is often some confusion surrounding exactly what anesthesia is. There are three types:

• General anesthesia is the most well-known kind of anesthesia and is when people are put to sleep for a procedure.
• Local anesthesia involves numbing a specific part of the body so a procedure can be performed and does not put the patient to sleep.
• Regional anesthesia blocks pain in a larger portion of the body than local anesthesia but does not put the patient to sleep.

During any kind of anesthesia, a patient’s vital signs must be constantly monitored for signs of distress.

What Can Go Wrong?

We know that the following were found to cause anesthesia complications:

1. Problems when dosing anesthetics can cause major problems and are often the result of inexperience, not being familiar with equipment, or carelessness. Serious harm can happen with both overdosing and underdosing a patient.
2. Complications of anesthesia during pregnancy when a regional anesthetic is often used.
3. Improper fluid regulation through an IV during a procedure can complicate anesthesia.

We know that Johns Hopkins researchers tell us that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. As many as 250,000 die annually due to these mistakes. These numbers do not include how many people survive these mistakes and have to suffer the consequences.

Surgery is terrifying for many people but anesthesia helps ensure that procedures go smoothly. We expect that anesthesiologists are competent and capable of doing their jobs appropriately.

What You Can Do Now

If you or a loved one have been injured due to a mistake made while under anesthesia, you need to seek legal assistance. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we will work tirelessly to investigate your case and secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:

• Coverage of your medical expenses
• Loss of income and benefits
• Pain and suffering damages
• Punitive damages

When you need a Philadelphia anesthesia malpractice attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.