Anesthesia Injuries

Anesthesia plays an important role in modern medicine. It is what makes it possible for patients to have surgeries and medical procedures without experiencing pain or distress.

However, when it’s not provided correctly, it can lead to serious injuries. And in extreme cases, they can even end up causing the patient’s death.

What Is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is a medical process through which certain medicines are introduced to induce a temporary loss of sensation or consciousness, thereby allowing patients to undergo surgeries or other invasive procedures without pain. 

The practice has revolutionized medical care since its introduction in the 19th century. Before its use, surgeries were incredibly risky and often excruciating because of the pain and stress on the patient. Today, anesthesia makes it possible to perform intricate, life-saving procedures with very little discomfort to the patient.

There are three main types of anesthesia used in the medical field today:

  • Local: Numbs a small, specific area of the body; often used for dental procedures or minor surgeries that will not take much time to complete
  • Regional: Blocks sensation to a larger area of the body (such as an epidural during childbirth)
  • General: Causes total unconsciousness; typically used for more invasive or lengthy surgeries to help keep the patient asleep for the entire process

Providing anesthesia to a patient is a delicate and complicated process that requires highly trained professionals. Anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists have to calculate the correct dosage for each patient, keep an eye on their vitals during the entire procedure, and be able to respond to and correct any complications quickly and efficiently.

Common Risks and Injuries

When provided properly, anesthesia is generally safe. However, mistakes during its administration can lead to devastating effects on the patient. 

Some of the most common risks and injuries include the following:

  • Regaining Awareness: Patients can become conscious during surgery if not given enough anesthesia, causing extreme distress and psychological conditions like PTSD
  • Brain Damage: A lack of oxygen (hypoxia) from improper intubation or failing to watch vital signs can lead to irreversible brain damage
  • Cardiac Arrest: Incorrect dosages or administration can cause heart failure during surgery, which is particularly risky for patients with underlying heart conditions
  • Nerve Damage: Regional anesthesia (like spinal or epidural blocks) can result in nerve damage if administered improperly, potentially causing pain, numbness, or paralysis
  • Medication Reactions: Improper screening for allergies or pre-existing conditions can trigger severe reactions
  • Post-Op Complications: Some patients deal with complications like infections or breathing troubles, often from lack of monitoring or poor equipment sterilization

All of these circumstances not only pose immediate health risks but can also lead to long-term physical, emotional, and financial burdens for patients and their families. Understanding the risks highlights the need for diligence and adequate training in the administration of anesthesia.

Causes of Anesthesia Injuries

Most anesthesia mistakes are completely preventable and tend to result from a lack of attention to detail or sheer negligence. 

Some common causes of anesthetic injuries are as follows:

  • Improper Dosage: Dosage is determined by the patient’s weight, age, medical history, and the type of procedure; even a small miscalculation can cause serious problems
  • Failure to Watch Vital Signs: Doctors must constantly watch the patient during surgery to ensure their vitals are stable
  • Equipment Malfunctions: Defective or poorly kept equipment, like ventilators or monitoring devices, can cause problems with administering anesthesia
  • Lack of Pre-Op Assessment: Tests and assessments are meant to identify possible risks of anesthesia; skipping them puts the patient at risk for serious complications
  • Communication Failures: Mistakes happen when medical teams don’t talk to each other or aren’t clear about how they communicate

Hospitals can avoid many of the situations that lead to anesthesia mistakes by simply understanding the importance of proper training, communication, and sticking to the rules. When this doesn’t happen, and the expected standards of care aren’t met, they open themselves up to hefty lawsuits.

Victims of anesthesia injuries may be entitled to seek and obtain compensation if the harm they sustain is the direct result of medical negligence. Medical malpractice claims are designed to address the financial, emotional, and physical impact of such injuries.

A successful malpractice claim hinges on the victim’s ability to prove the following factors:

  • The healthcare provider owned them a duty of care
  • The provider breached that duty through negligence
  • The breach directly caused the injury
  • The injury led to measurable damages, such as hospital bills and lost wages

Texas law puts caps on the amounts that can be collected under the umbrella of non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering) in medical malpractice cases. Economic damages aren’t capped, but it’s still important to understand how those caps could affect your claim.

The state also has a statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims. Generally, the victim has two years from the date of the injury to file a case. However, some exceptions to the rule do apply in very specific circumstances, such as when cases involve minors.

Texas law requires victims to gather testimony from professionals to support their claims. It must be established that the standard of care was not met and that the breach led directly to their injuries and damages. Under the Healthcare Liability Act (HCLA), claimants also have to provide a notice of claim and a report early in the legal process.

What To Do After an Injury

If you’re dealing with an injury after a mistake regarding anesthesia, there are steps you can take to help protect your health and your legal rights. 

You’ll first want to seek treatment from a different medical provider. They’ll help you address your injury promptly and make sure all treatments and diagnoses are documented. As you do, keep all of your medical records, bills, and any other paperwork related to your procedure and injury.

Once your injury has been tended to, it’s best to hire legal counsel as opposed to attempting to handle your claim alone. Medical malpractice cases are complicated and confusing, and a skilled attorney will be able to help you evaluate your case and work through the laws to make sure you don’t miss anything and are able to file for the full compensation you’re entitled to.

Protect Your Rights After an Anesthesia Injury

If you or a loved one has suffered from an anesthesia error that led to an injury, Anderson Injury Lawyers is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your case and explore your options for pursuing a medical malpractice claim. Call us at (817) 294-1900.