Some medical procedures require anesthesia to numb sensation or induce sleep. However, the administration of drugs to this effect must be done correctly. Otherwise, they might not work as intended, often with devastating consequences.
There is practically no room for error when administering anesthesia. If it is too little, the patient might wake up during an operation. Too much, and they could die. Unfortunately, anesthesia errors are still a reality many patients have to deal with.
Common types of anesthesia errors
Administration of the wrong dosage is not the only thing that can go wrong during the delivery of anesthesia. Other errors include:
- Delayed administration of anesthesia
- Failure to monitor a patient’s vitals after administering anesthesia
- Failure to notice or respond to complications
- Faulty equipment or medical devices used when delivering anesthesia
- Deadly prolonged sedation
- Not informing the patient on what to do before or after the operation, among others
All these instances could point to medical negligence. Someone slept on their job, and you may have a valid claim against the negligent healthcare provider.
Getting justice after anesthesia errors
A raft of complications can arise from anesthesia errors. Brain damage, organ failure and death are some of the potential possibilities.
If you or a loved one has suffered harm from the negligence of a healthcare provider when administering anesthesia, you should take appropriate action. You may be entitled to compensation for the damages you suffered, such as the financial cost of getting proper treatment or the pain and suffering you endured.
However, it is advisable to seek guidance on what is needed before filing a medical malpractice claim. Claims hinged on medical negligence are pretty complex, but with the proper assistance, you stand a better chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.
