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Anesthesia is an important and indispensable tool for many surgeries and other medical procedures. By sedating a client with anesthesia, doctors can perform invasive, sensitive tasks that would otherwise be excruciatingly painful for a patient if they were awake and alert. But bringing a patient to such a deep state of unconsciousness requires powerful medication, and that medication needs to be selected, administered, and monitored with the utmost care.

Too little anesthesia can cause severe trauma, while too much can lead to catastrophic, even fatal, consequences.  An unexpected reaction to anesthesia can also cause serious harm to a patient if not recognized and addressed quickly.

When a patient suffers adverse health effects or dies because surgeons, anesthesiologists, and operating room staff fail to meet the applicable standard of care when using anesthesia, it can be the basis of a medical malpractice claim for compensation. Our experienced and skilled Tampa anesthesia error attorneys help individuals and families recover needed financial resources to help them heal and compensate them for the losses they have incurred as a result of such medical malpractice.

Types of Anesthesia Errors

The mistakes that can be made with anesthesia are numerous, and given the power of these medications, the harm to a patient can be catastrophic. Surgeons and anesthesiologists can hurt patients by:

• Administering too much anesthesia
• Administering too little anesthesia
• Delayed delivery of anesthesia
• Improper placement of breathing tubes and IV lines
• Administering incorrect anesthesia
• Failing to prevent adverse anesthesia interactions with other drugs
• Failing to identify potential allergies
• Failing to properly instruct patients before administering anesthesia, such as limiting food or liquid intake
• Failing to administer oxygen during surgery
• Failing to monitor the patient for adverse reactions properly
• Defective medical devices and equipment used during anesthetic administration

Harm Caused by Anesthesia Errors

Mistakes involving anesthesia can lead to an array of tragic health problems. An insufficient dosage of anesthesia can lead to a patient becoming conscious during the middle of surgery, causing not only severe pain but understandable psychological trauma. Additionally, anesthesia errors can result in:

• Seizures and unconsciousness
• Heart arrhythmia
• Paralysis
• Confusion, dizziness, tinnitus and blurred vision
• Loss of heart function and cardiovascular collapse
• Malignant hyperthermia
• Death

Contact Our Tampa Malpractice Attorneys Today

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered because of an anesthesia error, or you think you have been a victim of other forms of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Recovering such compensation requires the filing of a medical malpractice lawsuit. Such suits are extremely complicated, and many investigatory steps need to be taken before you can file a claim for compensation.

Our experienced Tampa medical malpractice lawyers are Board-certified trial attorneys and have been recognized by the legal community for their experience and knowledge in litigating claims for patients who have been victims of serious medical errors, including anesthesia errors. Please call us at (800) 840-0977 or contact us online to arrange for your free case evaluation.