When you undergo a major medical procedure or a surgical operation, your doctor or an anesthesiologist may administer anesthesia. These drugs block pain signals from reaching your brain, so you don’t feel any discomfort while under their effects.
Anesthesia is widely used before medical procedures and is considered to be safe. However, it can cause complications for some people, especially when not properly administered. If you’ve experienced complications after receiving anesthesia, you should seek legal counsel.
Our team at Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers is committed to helping victims of anesthesia errors in Oklahoma City get the compensation they deserve. We encourage you to contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can help with your medical malpractice case.
Common Types of Anesthesia
Here are the most common types of anesthesia that your doctor is likely to use and why:
- General Anesthesia: With this type of anesthesia, you experience a complete loss of consciousness. General anesthesia is used for many major surgical procedures, but it has the highest risk for complications.
- Regional Anesthesia: This type of anesthesia, which includes spinal blocks and epidurals, blocks pain in a specific region of the body. You don’t lose consciousness with this anesthesia, but rather the feeling in a specific region of your body.
- Local Anesthesia: Doctors use local anesthesia to numb a small, specific area of your body. While this category has a low risk of complications, there’s still a chance for injuries.
- Conscious Sedation: Under this kind of anesthesia, which is used for minor procedures, you remain conscious but relaxed. This is often called “twilight sedation.”
Common Anesthesia Complications
After a medical procedure in which anesthesia was used, you may experience one of several common complications.
- Respiratory issues, such as pneumonia, respiratory arrest, and malignant hyperthermia, can happen and be severe or life-threatening.
- Cardiovascular complications, including blood pressure fluctuations, a heart attack, or a stroke, can occur.
- Nerve damage is another serious complication from anesthesia that can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis or peripheral nerve injuries.
Other complications associated with anesthesia include:
- Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
- Awareness during surgery
- Postoperative cognitive dysfunction
- Dental damage during intubation
- Death in severe cases
Risk Factors for Anesthesia Complications
It’s important to consult your health care provider about the risk factors you face when under anesthesia. Your physician can provide you with guidance and details about what’s best for your health when undergoing a medical procedure.
These are some risk factors that could make you more susceptible to anesthesia complications:
- Preexisting health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease, obesity, and diabetes
- Age 65 and older
- History of smoking or alcohol use
- Previous adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Certain medications
- Family history of anesthesia complications
Medical Negligence in Anesthesia Administration
If medical negligence was a factor in the administration of your anesthesia, you deserve compensation. Here are some examples of medical negligence that can lead to anesthesia complications in Oklahoma City:
- Failure to review a patient’s medical history
- Incorrect dosages of medications
- Inadequate monitoring during the procedure
- Errors in intubation or airway management
- Equipment failures and maintenance issues
- Inadequate oxygen supply
- Poor communication between medical team members
- Inadequate training or experience for medical staff
- Failure to respond promptly to complications
- Defective anesthesia medications or equipment
Standards of Care for Anesthesia in Oklahoma
There are standards of care for medical providers when administering anesthesia in Oklahoma. For instance, anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists require proper training and certification to perform their duties. Your doctor should do a pre-anesthesia evaluation to ensure it’s safe for you to receive anesthesia before your procedure.
While you’re under the influence of anesthesia, medical staff are required to monitor you according to preexisting standards. A medical team should follow recovery protocols and continue monitoring you after your procedure.
Everything about your procedure needs to be properly documented, including your anesthesia dosage, time of administration, and any reactions you have. A medical team must know and perform emergency response protocols promptly if you experience complications during your procedure. If your doctor or medical team fails to follow the guidelines in Oklahoma for the use and administration of anesthesia, they can be held liable for your injuries or complications.
Pursuing an Anesthesia Complication Claim
To pursue a claim for an anesthesia complication, you must determine whether medical negligence occurred. Evidence that can support your anesthesia error case includes:
- Medical records
- Anesthesia logs
- Medication administration records
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
Medical experts can help build your case by providing statements that make it clear that negligence was a factor in your anesthesia complication. Our team at Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers investigates anesthesia complication claims by gathering evidence and talking to experts in the medical field.
Potential liable parties for your medical malpractice case include:
- Anesthesiologists
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists
- Hospitals
- Surgery centers
- Equipment manufacturers
Compensation for Anesthesia Complications
If you’ve been injured or experienced complications from the administration of anesthesia for a medical procedure, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses, such as emergency care, additional surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages for families
- Long-term care needs
Why Choose Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers for Your Anesthesia Complication Case
At Parrish DeVaughn, we have years of experience handling complex medical malpractice claims in Oklahoma City. Our lawyers can speak with qualified medical experts who understand anesthesia standards and use our resources to thoroughly investigate your unique medical case.
Our team has a strong track record of successful medical malpractice settlements and verdicts and a solid understanding of Oklahoma medical malpractice laws and procedures. We’re committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable for their errors, and we’ll fight for your rights.
Contact Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers Today
Get the help and support you need with your medical malpractice case by contacting Parrish DeVaughn today. Our team of anesthesia complication lawyers is standing by to help you.
