The anxiety and fear that many people feel before surgeries often stem from knowing they will be put under anesthesia. Patients should be able to trust an anesthesiologist to safely administer anesthesia and monitor them throughout the procedure, but this is not always the case.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Healthcare providers and physicians take an oath to promote overall health in practice and do no harm to their patients. However, mistakes happen in medicine, and when they do they can be catastrophic for the patient. Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers perform below the standard of care intentionally or through negligence. An anesthesiologist can be held liable if they make a preventable mistake or fail to meet the proper standard of care, directly resulting in serious harm or injury to a patient.
Common Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia plays a significant role in medicine by allowing healthcare providers to perform life-saving operations without the patient being conscious of any pain. Patients should still be aware of the risks that come with these drugs being administered for surgery. Serious complications from anesthesia can occur when:
- Anesthesiologists deliver the incorrect dosage
- Patients are not monitored properly before, during, and after the procedure
- Healthcare providers fail to recognize negative drug reactions or other complications
- Patients are not educated on proper care before or after surgery
- Patient is intubated incorrectly
Long-Lasting Effects of Anesthesia Malpractice
The gravity of these errors can vary depending on each patient’s situation. Some of the consequences listed in anesthesia malpractice claims include:
- Dental damage from improper intubation
- Nerve injury and/or brain damage
- Heart attack or stroke
- Anesthesia awareness
- Death
How the Leav & Steinberg Team Can Help
If you or your loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice in New York, our team of professional attorneys at Leav & Steinberg LLP can assist you in understanding your legal options. We have worked with our clients to secure impressive settlement results when it comes to injuries caused by health care provider negligence. Contact us today to learn more about your rights as a patient in a medical malpractice case.
