Anesthesia Errors II

Doctors typically provide patients with anesthesia prior to surgery to ensure their comfort and safety. While anesthesia is an essential component of care for people undergoing procedures, anesthesia administration is inherently risk, and if it is performed improperly, it can lead to severe harm or even be fatal. If you suffered injuries due to anesthesia errors, you should consult an attorney to determine if you can seek compensation from the responsible party. The capable Prince George’s County medical malpractice attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A., can craft compelling arguments to help prove your care provider's liability, and if you hire us, we will work diligently to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome.

Anesthesiologists are responsible for administering the correct dose of anesthesia and closely monitoring anesthetized patients, but unfortunately, anesthesia errors are common. For example, if an anesthesiologist fails to thoroughly review a patient's medical history and does not adjust the anesthesia type or administration method based on the patient’s risks, it can lead to devastating complications. Mistakes may also occur when too little anesthesia is given, leading to pain or conscious awareness during surgery. Conversely, administering too much anesthesia can result in breathing difficulties, brain damage, or, in extreme cases, death. Additionally, an anesthesiologist may accidentally injure a patient's esophagus, trachea, or mouth during intubation or extubation.

Cases involving anesthesia errors often involve claims against multiple parties. For example, the plaintiff may name both the anesthesiologist who gave them the anesthesia and the hospital where they underwent the procedure as defendants. To hold a defendant anesthesiologist liable for a plaintiff’s injuries, the plaintiff generally must demonstrate the defendant’s negligence. In Maryland, establishing negligence requires the plaintiff to prove four elements: first, they must show that the anesthesiologist had a duty to provide the same level of care that a competent doctor in the same field would provide under similar circumstances. Second, they must prove that the anesthesiologist breached this standard of care. Finally, they must show causation and damages, which means that they must establish that the defendant’s breach directly caused measurable harm to the plaintiff. Typically, the plaintiff will need to hire an expert to testify on the standard of care, the connection between the breach and the plaintiff’s losses, and the extent of the plaintiff’s harm.

The hospital's liability for anesthesia-related injuries often depends on the nature of its relationship with the anesthesiologist. Plaintiffs may seek damages from the hospital under a theory of vicarious liability, asserting that the hospital employed the defendant anesthesiologist and should be held accountable for any harm caused within the scope of employment. Alternatively, plaintiffs might argue that the hospital is directly liable due to negligent hiring or supervision of the defendant, claiming that the hospital failed to properly vet or oversee them. Similar to claims against an anesthesiologist, plaintiffs must establish the standard of care that applies to the hospital.

People injured by anesthesia errors can often recover compensation for their financial losses as well as their intangible harm. Financial losses usually include the cost of any medical care the injured party needed or will need in the future, out-of-pocket costs, and lost wages. Intangible harm, on the other hand, generally refers to the mental and emotional anguish, trauma, and physical pain caused by the defendant’s negligence.

Surgical procedures come with inherent risks, but patients should expect to undergo surgery without being harmed by improperly administered anesthesia. If you were injured due to an anesthesia error, it is important to consult an attorney to determine what damages you may be able to recover. The assertive Prince George’s County medical malpractice attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A., will advocate aggressively on your behalf to help you seek the maximum compensation allowed by law. We have an office in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we regularly represent people in medical malpractice lawsuits who live in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and other cities in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Charles County and all counties in the State of Maryland. You can arrange a confidential and free meeting by contacting us through our form online or by calling us at (301) 441-2022.