General anesthesia is a vital medical tool that can be tremendously beneficial for patients undergoing surgery, but there are also risks associated with it. While most people tolerate anesthesia well, complications can occur. In some cases, those complications result from preventable medical errors.
Understanding the risks and side effects, as well as the legal options available in the event that something goes wrong, can help you protect your health and your legal rights.
What Is General Anesthesia?
General anesthesia is a medically-induced state of unconsciousness, achieved with the help of intravenous drugs or inhaled gases. It is used to help patients undergo surgery without feeling pain or awareness. An anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist administers the anesthesia and then closely monitors vital signs during the surgery.
Common Risks and Side Effects of General Anesthesia
While anesthesia is generally safe, it can have a few short-term side effects, including:
- Confusion or grogginess
- Sore throat or hoarseness
- Nausea and vomiting
These side effects are normal and don’t indicate any sort of emergency. However, if you experience anything like prolonged confusion, severe breathing difficulty, or sudden chest pain, immediate medical attention is necessary.
Serious Complications That May Indicate Medical Negligence
While rare, serious complications may arise after someone receives general anesthesia. Some examples include:
- Anesthesia Awareness: This is a rare but often traumatic event in which the patient wakes up during surgery and may feel pain, pressure, or hear conversations. It can result from underdosing, inadequate monitoring, or equipment failure. It may indicate medical negligence in anesthesia administration.
- Brain Injury or Oxygen Deprivation: This medical condition involves a blocked airway, disconnected ventilator, or delayed resuscitation that can interrupt oxygen delivery to the brain, resulting in rapid cell death. This can lead to cognitive impairment, permanent brain damage, or coma.
- Cardiovascular Complications or Death: Anesthesia can trigger dangerous drops in blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke, particularly in patients with underlying heart disease.
- Adverse Drug Reactions or Allergic Responses: Some patients’ bodies react negatively to the anesthesia, resulting in anaphylaxis, bronchospasm, or multi-system organ failure. These reactions can often be prevented with due diligence before the procedure. Failure to do so may provide grounds for an anesthesia errors lawsuit.
Some anesthesia risks are present or heightened due to age, prior health conditions, and medications being taken by the patient before surgery. For this reason, it’s essential that your healthcare team takes a detailed patient and family history to minimize these risks or inform you of them before you agree to the medical procedure.
How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help
Medical malpractice suits can be complicated and challenging to pursue on your own. By working with an experienced general anesthesia malpractice lawyer, you put that challenge in capable hands and afford yourself a distinct strategic advantage when pursuing your case. Your medical malpractice lawyer can help by:
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding your injury
- Consulting with medical experts to establish liability
- Gathering evidence like hospital records, anesthesia logs, and witness statements
- Advocating aggressively for the recovery you deserve
Compensation your anesthesia malpractice attorney may seek on your behalf could include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
In tragic cases of wrongful death, surviving loved ones may recover compensation for past medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of guidance, and loss of companionship.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
If you’ve suffered anesthesia complications, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The attorneys at Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg, & Jeck, P.C. can fight to hold the negligent medical providers accountable and recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation. We’re here for you for life’s toughest trials.
