When you need to have a surgical procedure done, we know one thing is certain – anesthesia is a wonderful thing. It keeps us from feeling the pain and, for major surgeries, it knocks us out completely. Surgeries are scary for most people, so having that comfort that it will go smoothly goes a long way. Unfortunately, there are times when mistakes are made when anesthesia is used.
Anesthesiologists are highly trained doctors who have to be constantly aware of what is going on with their patients. If they are careless or negligent in their duties, they could cause serious harm or even death.
When you need a Camden anesthesia malpractice attorney, you can call The Weitz Firm, LLC today. We will make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
When it comes to anesthesia, there are three types. Local anesthesia is when a particular part of the body is numbed so it can be operated on (think extremities). Regional anesthesia is used to block pain from an entire section of the body (epidurals are good examples). General anesthesia is the kind most people are familiar with. It is when a patient is put to sleep for a surgical procedure.
We have reported before that medical mistakes are now the third leading cause of death in the United States, killing over 250,000 people a year. Many of these mistakes revolve around medication errors. When someone is going under anesthesia, the doctors and nurses must ensure they have a full patient history to ensure they know all of the risk factors for the patient they will be operating on. If needed, an anesthesiologist may need to tell a patient and the surgical team that the procedure cannot be completed because they are too high risk for complications during the surgery. Overlooking these risks, perhaps in an effort to make more profit, can have deadly consequences.
It has been said that anesthesiology is a balance of using the correct amounts of medication and monitoring patients’ vital signs. If a patient receives too much medication, it could lead to an overdose. If they receive too little, it could lead to them being conscious during the procedure with no way to let the surgical team know.
Anesthesiologists must be skilled at their jobs and constantly vigilant. They must also have all medical equipment necessary for the procedures they oversee. A failure on the part of either of those can lead to major patient distress and even death.
If you think that the negligence of a healthcare professional contributed to harm you incurred while you were under anesthesia, then you need to seek legal assistance. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we will work to secure the compensation you need for your expenses as well as for pain and suffering damages. Our anesthesia malpractice attorneys in Camden are standing by now. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.
