Anesthesia Errors and Chicago Medical Malpractice Claims

Before you head into surgery, a member of your surgical team should get vital information from you regarding your current and past health history and communicate your answers to the rest of the team.

Your surgeon, surgical nurse, anesthesiologist and others on the team should be well aware of your medical history before operating. Failure to read and act on your medical history and any other health answers you give is a violation of the standard of care all medical professionals must exhibit.

Such negligence can result in catastrophic injury, or even death. If your anesthesiologist fails to exercise the very high level of care necessary before or during your procedure, you may suffer injury due to anesthesia error.

One common cause of anesthesia error is a severe allergic reaction, especially with regard to local and topical anesthetics. This is often prevented by asking the patient a series of routine questions before the procedure.

Anesthesia errors may also occur during surgery, even when your surgical team is aware of your medical history. For example, if the anesthesiologist fails to maintain an adequate supply of oxygen to you during your operation, you may go into cardiac arrest or suffer a stroke.

Other errors may relate to overdoses or under-doses of anesthesia. Careless overdose of anesthetics can occur for a number of reasons, such as the anesthesiologist's failure to carefully assess the patient's medical history, properly evaluate the procedure or any combination of factors.

All anesthesiologists are required by professional standards to stay at the "head of the bed." This station allows for a maximized vantage point in monitoring vital signs. Leaving the head of the bed constitutes negligence should you suffer injury as a result.

To learn more about anesthesia errors, visit our medical malpractice article library.  

Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you, or a family member, have been seriously injured by anesthesia error, you have the legal right to hold the anesthesiologist, malpractice insurer, and/or hospital accountable for the physical and emotional damages you suffered.

At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C., we understand the complex legalities of medical malpractice cases in the Chicago area. Let us help defend your legal rights to seek compensation for your expenses, pain, and suffering caused by your anesthesia error injury. Contact us today for a no cost case evaluation on your anesthesia error medical malpractice claim at 312-263-1080.