Anesthesia Malpractice in New Jersey
Anesthesia is a critical component of many types of medical procedures. Major invasive surgery is not the only type that requires anesthesia. Outpatient procedures and other elective surgeries also require anesthesia to keep the patient comfortable and diminish the pain of the procedure. Just by the frequency of the use of anesthesia, it is likely that errors will be made, but it is no excuse for anesthesia malpractice. Surgeons and anesthesiologists must carefully scrutinize their patients‘ pulse, blood pressure, blood loss, and other vital signs to ensure their well being throughout any surgery or medical procedure.
TYPES OF ANESTHESIA COMMONLY USED
The three common types of anesthesia are local, regional, and general. General anesthesia is the riskiest because the person is fully unconscious. However, any type of anesthesia can be dangerous if it is not administered and monitored properly.
- Local anesthesia – This numbs a small, specific area of the body where the procedure will be performed. It’s typically administered through injection or topical application.
- Regional anesthesia – This type numbs a specific region or area of the body, rather than inducing unconsciousness. It can be administered as an injection near the nerves or as a continuous infusion through a catheter.
- General anesthesia – This induces a state of unconsciousness and total lack of sensation throughout the entire body. It’s typically administered through inhalation (breathing it in) or intravenous (IV) injection.
Each type of anesthesia has its own benefits and risks, and the choice depends on factors such as the type and duration of the procedure, the patient’s medical history, and their preferences. Which is why it is important for medical professionals and anesthesiologists to be vigilant when administering it and monitoring the patient’s vital signs.
Common Types of Anesthesia Error & Malpractice
Although the operating room could be the site for most common types of anesthesia errors and malpractice, it can also happen in a variety of other places including recovery rooms, during childbirth, etc. Here are the common types of anesthesia malpractice to be aware of:
- Intubation errors – During surgery, some patients need a tube inserted in their windpipe to ensure they are breathing properly. This process is called intubation. If this tube is not placed properly it can lead to injuries.
- Dosage errors – Administering the incorrect dosage of anesthesia can cause severe issues. This can happen due to anesthesiologist error or mistakes on the label.
- Failure to monitor the patient – Monitoring the patient’s reaction to anesthesia is an essential part of an anesthesiologist’s job. Mistakes here can, and does, cause serious harm.
- Problems with oxygen – While a patient is anesthetized it is important to keep track of their oxygen levels. Series errors can arise if oxygen levels fluctuate without the anesthesiologist regulating them.
Surgery is risky, but if it is handled professionally and correctly, there is little to fear. However, the slightest error can inflict catastrophic injuries on the patient and untold expense and sorrow on the patient’s family. Anesthesia errors and malpractice are too common in operating rooms in New Jersey. A rigorous standard of care must be observed.
COMMON INJURIES CAUSED BY ANESTHESIA MALPRACTICE
Any doctor, anesthesiologist, or other medical professional can be deemed negligent if they make a mistake while they are conducting an operation. They must apply the same level of care and professionalism used by others in their profession to carefully perform the medical procedure under the same or similar circumstances. Catastrophic results can surely be expected if anesthesia is administered improperly or without proper monitoring. There is a standard level of competence that is not only expected, but demanded, by an anesthesiologist. Patients can, and do, suffer major injuries, paralysis, disabilities or death when anesthesiologist malpractice is committed. The list of possible injuries from anesthesia malpractice is particularly alarming:
- Stroke.
- Heart attack.
- Respiratory failure.
- Brain injury.
- Kidney failure.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Damage to the spine, including paralysis.
- Blindness.
- Infection.
- Birth Injuries.
- Death.
However, because the patient is unaware of their surroundings while under anesthesia, malpractice can be very difficult to prove. That is why you need the services of a qualified team of anesthesia malpractice attorneys like the New Jersey law firm of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman to sort things out for you if you or a loved one suffers anesthesia malpractice. We specialize in all types of medical malpractice cases and we can give you the kind of aggressive representation you deserve if you feel you were victimized by an anesthesiologist. Our anesthesia malpractice attorneys have had great success in collecting millions of dollars for our clients who are victims of anesthesia malpractice.
HOW TO PROVE ANESTHESIA MALPRACTICE
As discussed above, proving anesthesia malpractice can be tricky because the patient is not always aware of their surroundings. However, that is why it is so important to get an experienced anesthesia malpractice lawyer involved to help with your case.
To prove an anesthesiologist committed medical malpractice the patient and legal team will need to provide evidence of two things:
- The anesthesiologist failed to meet the standard of care.
- This failure caused the patient to be harmed.
To successfully prove this, evidence will need to be collected, analyzed, and presented by a capable anesthesia malpractice lawyer. This evidence can be commonly found within the patients file. Each file should have:
- An informed consent form.
- Transfer notes.
- A pre-anesthesia exam, including all vital signs and the patient’s medical history.
- The surgeon’s notes on the patient.
- The operative record.
- Post-anesthesia records, including all vital signs before, during and after the surgery.
These records could prove that an error was made by the anesthesiologist during the procedure. A qualified New Jersey anesthesiology malpractice attorney can look at these records for confirmation of improper or uncommon treatment.
New Jersey Anesthesiologist Malpractice Lawsuits & Settlements
At the New Jersey law firm of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman, our anesthesia malpractice attorneys have extensive experience in all facets of medical malpractice lawsuits. Read about the $5.5 million settlement we won for a true hero — Derrick Nelson — who died due to anesthesia malpractice while donating his bone marrow to a child with cancer. The case resulted in nationwide news coverage. You can also read about our $1.75 million malpractice settlement against an anesthesiologist on behalf of a New Jersey woman who was partially paralyzed as a result of anesthesia errors and malpractice. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
ANESTHESIA MALPRACTICE LAWYERS IN NEW JERSEY
If you or a loved one were seriously injured, paralyzed, or killed during a procedure involving anesthesiologist malpractice, contact the New Jersey anesthesia malpractice attorneys at Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman. We will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your medical malpractice case. We will aggressively fight for your rights to collect damages caused by medical malpractice. Nobody deserves to suffer due to the errors of an anesthesiologist or recovery room nurse. We make it our business to make sure nobody suffers without receiving just compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Anesthesiologist Malpractice
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How common are anesthesia errors?
Anesthesia error cases in New Jersey fall under the umbrella of medical malpractice and can result in serious injuries or even death. While exact statistics are not readily available, our firm alone has consulted on numerous anesthesia malpractice cases.
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What is anesthesia awareness?
Anesthesia awareness, also known as accidental awareness during general anesthesia (AAGA), occurs when a patient becomes conscious during surgery while under general anesthesia. It is a rare but serious complication, with the Cleveland Clinic reporting an incidence of approximately 1 to 2 cases per 1,000 patients undergoing general anesthesia.
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How does anesthesia awareness cause harm?
Patients experiencing anesthesia awareness may recall events from the surgery, such as conversations, sensations of touch, or in some cases, pain. While most episodes are brief and do not involve pain, anesthesia awareness can potentially lead to long-term psychological effects like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in some patients.
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When can I file a lawsuit for anesthesia malpractice?
In New Jersey, you can file a lawsuit for anesthesia malpractice if you or a loved one has suffered harm due to negligence in the administration of anesthesia. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases in New Jersey is generally two years from the date of the injury or from when you reasonably should have discovered the injury. It’s crucial to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your case and ensure you meet all legal requirements for filing a lawsuit.
