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Kentucky Anesthesia Error Lawyers
Strong advocacy when medical malpractice causes anesthesia mistakes
Anesthesia helps patients endure surgical procedures while their doctors focus on their surgical techniques without worrying whether the patient will feel pain. Local and regional anesthesia numbs specific body parts. General anesthesia puts patients to sleep (makes them unconscious) so doctors can perform more invasive surgeries. At Crandall & Pera Law, we hold hospitals and doctors accountable when they administer the wrong dosages, fail to monitor their patients, or commit other mistakes. Our Kentucky anesthesia error lawyers demand compensation (financial and personal) for any injuries or fatalities that occur. Call us now to discuss your rights or legal options if a loved one dies due to anesthesia errors.
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Table of Contents
- What are the different types of anesthesia?
- Who administers anesthesia in Kentucky?
- What types of medical mistakes can occur during the administration of anesthesia?
- What injuries can anesthesia errors cause in Kentucky?
- How much is my anesthesia error claim worth?
- Do you have a Kentucky anesthesia error lawyer near me?
What are the different types of anesthesia?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are four types of anesthesia:
- Local anesthesia.This type of anesthesia is used for minimally invasive procedures like cataract surgery or a skin biopsy. The patient is awake during the medical procedure. The anesthesiologist generally administers local anesthesia by injection.
- Sedation. This type of anesthesia is similar to a nap, where the doctor can wake you. While you’re not unconscious, you’re not likely to remember the procedures. Sedation is used for procedures such as removing wisdom teeth, colonoscopies, setting a broken bone, and cardiac catheterizations.
- Regional anesthesia.This anesthesia “blocks pain in a larger part of your body, like a limb or everything below your chest.” Examples of regional anesthesia include blocking an arm to operate on a hand and an epidural to ease the pain of childbirth. Medical professionals may administer regional anesthesia in addition to sedation or separate from sedation.
- General anesthesia.This treatment renders patients unconscious and “insensitive to pain or other stimuli.” General anesthesia is used for invasive procedures. The anesthesiologist generally administers the anesthesia intravenously or by using a breathing mask. General anesthesia carries the most risk of complications.
Who administers anesthesia in Kentucky?
For simple procedures, the doctor/medical provider (such as a dentist) may numb a small area. According to the Cleveland Clinic, for more complicated procedures, the people who administer the anesthesia (and should monitor your pain before, during, and after the surgery) include:
- A physician anesthesiologist
- Fellows or residents – physicians in training
- A certified registered nurse anesthetist
- A certified anesthesiologist assistant (CAA)
What types of medical mistakes can occur during the administration of anesthesia?
Our Kentucky anesthesia lawyers hold anesthesiologists, doctors, and hospitals accountable for the following types of anesthesia mistakes that cause harm or death:
- Not taking a complete medical history. The type and the amount of anesthesia depend on the patient’s weight, age, medical history, allergic reactions, and other medical factors that medical providers need to review and account for.
- Not giving the patient proper instructions before surgery. The Cleveland Clinic states that patients should be told to:
- Avoid certain food and liquids for eight hours prior to surgery.
- “Quit smoking, even if it’s just for one day before the procedure, to improve heart and lung health. For best results, stop smoking two weeks before your appointment.”
- Stop taking any herbal supplements for a week or two prior to surgery.
- “Stop taking Viagra® or other medications for erectile dysfunction at least 24 hours before the procedure.”
- Take certain (but not all) blood pressure medications as your doctor instructs.
- Improper anesthesia type or dosage. Too much anesthesia can cause cardiac arrest, brain damage, or death. Too little anesthesia can cause a patient to wake up (and experience a lot of pain) or be unable to talk or walk. The wrong type of anesthesia can cause serious complications. As we’ve written, three key reasons for anesthesia dosing errors include failing to pay attention, a lack of familiarity with the equipment, and a lack of experience.
- Not monitoring the patient. During surgery, the person administering the anesthesia should monitor your blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, blood oxygen level, and other vital signs. These medical professionals should be able to identify and manage any allergic reactions and provide pain management instructions for any pain you have after the surgery is completed.
What injuries can anesthesia errors cause in Kentucky?
Our Kentucky anesthesia error lawyers understand the types of complications and injuries that can occur if your healthcare providers fail to follow proper medical standards. Possible complications from anesthesia, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include back or muscle pain, chills, problems urinating, tiredness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, itching, a sore throat, and pain or tenderness at the injection site.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, more severe complications of anesthesia errors include:
- Being aware when you should be unconscious or sedated
- A collapsed lung, which can occur (during general anesthesia or when a breathing tube is used) when “air sacs in the lung deflate or fill with fluid.”
- Malignant hyperthermia. This is a dangerous reaction to the anesthesia that can cause “fever and muscle contractions during surgery.”
- Nerve damage. This complication may be temporary, but it can also cause “permanent neuropathic pain, numbness, or weakness.”
- Postoperative delirium. The elderly are more susceptible to this condition, which can cause long-term memory loss and learning issues.
Other possible complications include:
- The inability to complete the surgery you need for your underlying conditions
- Respiratory difficulties
- Pain and suffering
- Blood clots
- Seizures
- Coma
- Paralysis
- Birth defects
- Death
How much is my anesthesia error claim worth?
At Crandall & Pera Law, we work with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other medical professionals to determine what mistakes your medical providers made and why your medical providers should be held accountable.
Our Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers demand compensation for all your current and future damages, including the following:
- Medical expenses for any surgeries or treatments, hospitalizations, rehabilitative care, assistive technology and devices, medications, and psychological counseling
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of income including wages, benefits, temporary disability, and permanent disability
- Loss of bodily function
- Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
- Loss of consortium (enjoyment of marital relations)
If a parent, spouse, or child dies, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family members. Wrongful death damages in Kentucky include the funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of personal support (love, guidance, and comfort).
Do you have a Kentucky anesthesia error lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet clients at our Lexington, Kentucky, office located at 201 E Main St., Suite 530. Our lawyers also consult with clients by phone and through online video calls. If your injuries or illnesses prevent you from coming to our office, we’re prepared to make arrangements to see you at a healthcare facility or your home.
We understand how upset and frightened you are. Your doctors took your health away from you. We can fight to restore your health and your future.
Contact our experienced Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers today
We’ve helped many patients obtain strong recoveries due to medical negligence. At Crandall & Pera Law, we’re here to answer your questions and guide you through each step of the claim. Our Kentucky anesthesia error lawyers have obtained numerous strong verdicts and settlements when doctors and hospitals make mistakes. Please call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle anesthesia error cases on a contingency fee basis.