Anesthesia errors during surgery can lead to extremely frightening and physically painful experiences for patients. In extreme cases, negligent actions by anesthesiologists even result in tragic and preventable wrongful death cases. Whether you were given the wrong dose of an anesthetic or were the victim of some other error, we can help you wield the power of Michigan medical malpractice laws to hold liable parties accountable.
Many injured and traumatized patients have made the choice to hire a medical malpractice attorneys in Michigan and pursue legal action against Michigan anesthesiologists and hospitals. Working with a highly qualified anesthesia error attorney from the Ann Arbor-based firm of Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, gives you access to a broad range of powerful legal tools, including:
- Fast, straightforward answers to your most important legal questions
- Legal advice that is powerful, honest, and actionable
- A personalized litigation strategy designed according to your unique situation, case facts, and individual goals in seeking a medical malpractice lawsuit
- Top-notch negotiation skills that work on your behalf against pushy insurance adjusters and fast-talking corporate healthcare attorneys during a stressful time when you’re trying to heal from serious injuries
- Dedicated, responsive, and cost-effective legal representation that takes the time to fully understand your situation and your unique needs as a client
Hire an Anesthesia Error Attorney Today
The right time to hire an anesthesia error attorney is as soon as you suspect you could have been the victim of medical malpractice. You don’t need to be certain you have a legally air-tight case in order to consult an attorney. In fact, the preliminary process of determining whether you have an actionable medical malpractice claim against your anesthesiologist, and what it might be worth, is one of the most important things an attorney can assist with.
If it is decided that you have a valid anesthesia error case, and you choose to move ahead in an MI Court, your attorney will also be by your side through the process. An attorney can see that your claim is filed properly, that all deadlines are met, and that all necessary evidence is collected. This is only the beginning of the important work they will do as your medical malpractice claim enters the court.
The mere fact that you are researching whether or not to hire an anesthesia malpractice attorney is, in itself, usually a strong sign that you should at least reach out to a qualified attorney for a one-on-one discussion of your situation.
No matter how unsure or confused you’re feeling, getting an opinion from an adept legal practitioner with a track record of success in medical malpractice cases can help you feel more confident choosing your path forward.
The Reality of Anesthesia Malpractice in Michigan
Anesthesia refers to putting patients into a state where their senses or awareness are temporarily suspended in order to perform surgeries or other invasive procedures. Forty million anesthetics are administered annually, with methods ranging from blocking pain receptors to putting patients “under,” or into a state of total unconsciousness. Anesthesia is often considered one of modern humanity’s most significant inventions, but when errors occur, outcomes can be nightmarish.
A comprehensive review of adverse events caused by anesthesia found several notable findings across 21 papers on the subject. The findings showed the most prominent category of adverse events to be respiratory issues, and stated that most events were from human errors, lapses, or slips that caused damage, personal injuries, and sometimes death. In other words, these malpractice scenarios are both extremely serious and totally avoidable.
. Recent high-profile cases have seen large verdicts against surgeons, hospital systems, and anesthesiologists who failed to properly administer powerful anesthetic drugs, resulting in patient harm. If you have been a victim of a botched anesthesia procedure, please contact an experienced attorney to discuss the matter.
The Potential Consequences of Anesthesia Malpractice
There are so many different drugs and methods which fall under the larger umbrella of anesthesia, and the potential effects of anesthesia errors are also quite varied. They can include:
- Difficulty breathing or total respiratory failure
- Permanent brain damage due to insufficient oxygen
- Cardiac arrest or other heart issues
- Paralysis
- Patient awareness during surgery due to insufficient dosages or disruptions, leading to posttraumatic stress disorder and other long-term emotional disorders
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage due to lack of oxygen or overmedication
- Pneumonia
- Fatality
Organizations like the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists provide advocacy and continued medical education to anesthesiology professionals, helping lower the risk of these consequences for Michigan patients.
FAQs About Michigan Anesthesia Errors During Surgery
What Happens if Something Goes Wrong Under Anesthesia?
If something goes wrong under anesthesia, you need to be able to trust your medical team to act quickly to mitigate any negative outcomes. Various factors, such as the type of surgery being performed, will determine the standard of care required for anesthesia treatment.
What Happens if an Anesthesiologist Messes Up?
If an anesthesiologist messes up, they should be prepared to immediately correct their mistake to whatever extent is possible, and to be honest with their patient about the error afterward. If you’ve had a conversation of this nature, please contact an attorney for personalized legal advice about your unique circumstances.
What Is the Most Common Anesthesia Complication?
The most common anesthesia complication is nausea and vomiting, which impacts many anesthesia patients for hours, or even days, after their surgery. This can be a normal side effect of the surgical process.
What Anesthesia Error Is Most Common in Malpractice Claims?
This National Institutes of Health paper reports that the anesthetic procedure most likely to result in a malpractice claim for an ambulatory surgical provider is the injection of anesthesia into a peripheral nerve. Nerve damage is a severe yet common issue caused by these errors, resulting in a loss of sensation, chronic pain, or paralysis.
Harmed by Anesthesia? Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, Can Help
If you went to a hospital for surgery and ended up injured or sick due to an anesthesia error, you could have a legally actionable medical malpractice claim. Contact our top-notch medical malpractice team today to make an appointment for a confidential consultation session so we can discuss your case and talk more about your legal options going forward.
