What to Do After Suffering Anesthesia Errors in NYC
Medical procedures requiring anesthesia are serious matters. Anesthesia errors can have devastating consequences.
If you or a loved one has suffered harm as a result of errors made by an anesthesiologist entrusted with your health and safety during a medical procedure, you may have a legal claim for relief. The Law Offices of Steve Newman can answer your questions and guide you through the process.
Use our guide below to learn more about anesthesia error claims and see how a New York City anesthesia errors lawyer can help you recover and move forward in the aftermath.
NYC Anesthesia Error Overview
Before moving forward with your anesthesia errors claim, it is important to first understand what an anesthesia error is and when one might support a legal claim. Below is some key information to be aware of when pursuing an anesthesia error claim in New York.
What Is an Anesthesia Error?
An anesthesia error is a type of medical negligence claim that arises out of a mistake or other error in the administration of anesthesia during a medical procedure that results in harm or injury to the patient.
Anesthesia is a crucial tool that helps ensure that patients are unconscious and pain-free during surgical or other medical operations. However, errors in the administration or monitoring of anesthesia can have severe consequences.
Some common examples of anesthesia errors include:
- Inadequate pre-operative patient assessment,
- Dosage errors,
- Equipment malfunctions or use of defective anesthesia equipment,
- Failure to monitor the patient’s vital signs,
- Delayed or inadequate response to complications that arise during the procedure and anesthesia administration,
- Inadequate communication among members of the medical team during the procedure,
- Failure to consider potential drug interactions, and
- Inadequate supervision of trainees.
No matter the exact circumstances, these and other types of anesthesia errors can lead to severe and lasting impacts on a patient. If an error was made in administering or monitoring anesthesia during your medical procedure, causing you harm as a result, speak with an experienced anesthesia error attorney today to discuss your options and pathway forward.
How Common Are Anesthesia Errors?
It is estimated that an anesthesiologist will administer approximately 500,000 drugs throughout the course of their professional tenure. Statistically speaking, it may come as no surprise that at least some of these instances will involve errors. However, the frequency of such errors might be greater than you would expect.
One study found that between 2007 and 2014, there were 12,116 anesthetic errors reported in the United States resulting from either overdose or improper medication administration. While such anesthesia errors can lead to complications resulting in injury to patients, some errors can have even more egregious consequences—death.
Consequences of Anesthesia Error
There is no question that anesthesia errors can have serious consequences, impacting the patient’s health and well-being. Some examples of the consequences of anesthesia error frequently include:
- Consciousness during the procedure,
- Respiratory complications,
- Cardiovascular issues,
- Oxygen deprivation,
- Anaphylaxis or allergic reactions,
- Infection,
- Prolonged postoperative delirium,
- Cognitive impairment or brain damage, and
- Death.
Notably, the severity of consequences in any given case varies depending on the type of error and how quickly it is identified and addressed.
Recoverable Damages in an Anesthesia Error Lawsuit
The aftermath of an anesthesia error can cause significant injuries, both physical and emotional, to the patient. While nothing can undo the harm you’ve suffered, an anesthesia error lawsuit can provide you with an avenue to pursue critical compensation to help you on your pathway to recovery.
Examples of recoverable damages in an anesthesia error lawsuit frequently include compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses,
- Rehabilitation costs,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future earning capacity,
- Disability and impairment, and
- Pain and suffering.
Additionally, if an anesthesia error results in the death of your loved one, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death action to recover compensation for their loss and companionship due to the actions of the at-fault provider.
Recover Compensation for Anesthesia-Related Injuries in New York
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How a New York City Anesthesia Errors Attorney Can Help You
To prevail in an anesthesia errors case, you must be able to prove that the wrongful or negligent actions of the medical provider caused you to suffer actual damages. While this may sound simple in theory, in reality, doing so is no easy feat. This is where the assistance and expertise of a New York anesthesia errors attorney can come into play.
An experienced attorney can help with:
- Case evaluation,
- Investigation and evidence gathering,
- Consulting with medical experts,
- Calculating recoverable damages,
- Drafting and filing of court paperwork,
- Pre-trial negotiation and settlement with opposing parties and insurance companies, and
- In-court representation for hearings and at trial.
While you are not legally required to hire legal counsel to pursue your claims, doing so can be extremely beneficial to your case in the long run.
Finding the Right Anesthesia Error Law Firm for Your Case
When it comes to your anesthesia errors lawsuit, here are some qualities and skill set to look for when seeking to retain an attorney.
- Tried and true experience handling personal injury, medical negligence, and anesthesia malpractice claims;
- Strong communication and negotiation skills;
- Experience litigating claims to conclusion, taking claims all the way to trial when necessary;
- A wide professional network, including contacts in the medical profession;
- Positive reviews from past clients; and
- A record of success in prior cases.
Before deciding on a firm to take on your case, be sure to take advantage of free consultations, where offered. This will allow you to speak directly with an attorney about your case and get a sense of whether they may be a good fit for you.
Speak with an Anesthesia Error Lawyer at the Law Offices of Steve Newman Today
When you are dealing with the consequences of an anesthesia error, do not feel like you have to navigate this process alone. The Law Offices of Steve Newman has decades of experience litigating medical negligence claims, and we are confident that we have what it takes to represent your interests, too. We take all injury cases on a contingency fee arrangement, meaning that you will never pay us any legal fee unless and until we are able to obtain a settlement or verdict in your favor. Contact us today at 800-690-9880 for a free consultation to discuss your case and see what we can do for you.