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According to reports, a majority of the malpractice cases in the United States are anesthesia malpractice cases.  Anesthesia malpractice has been reported as being the twelfth highest medical specialty in terms of the percentage of physicians within the specialty who have had to pay claims for their own negligence. Since anesthesia is such a strong drug, when an error is made it can oftentimes be life changing or even life threatening in more severe cases. Anesthesia malpractice cases are usually filed because some type of permanent injury has been done to an innocent victim. For example, anesthesia malpractice cases often involve paralysis, brain damage and death.

Although anesthesia malpractice cases are increasing in number, they are still among the hardest to prove. When it comes to proving an anesthesiologist was negligent, the plaintiff's testimony isn't always considered credible since victims are often unconscious when the incident took place. In many situations, the medical staff involved in a wrongdoing discards or "misplaces" the patient's medical records after the error occurs.

Taking Preventative Measures to Avoid Anesthesia Malpractice Cases

Unfortunately, mistakes are bound to happen at some point, but there are preventative measures that, you as a patient, can take in order to ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones while under anesthesia. Keeping detailed medical history files that contain information on health conditions, allergies, etc. is always important when you're undergoing surgery. It’s also important that the hospital or medical clinic you are having the operation at also has this updated information. This way you'll have the proof to back you up just in case anything happens, and nobody can blame your own health for someone else's negligence.

The following information should also always be documented for yourself and your physician before you’re put under anesthesia to avoid an anesthesia malpractice case:

·         Results from a pre-anesthesia exam

·         Your signed consent form

·         Operative records

·         Any transfer notes that are taken

·         Any physician notes that are taken

·         A post-anesthesia record

It is the responsibility of malpractice insurers and professional medical societies to warn medical practitioners not to alter any of their medical records. But after what is typically a traumatic surgery involving a potentially deadly or life altering mistake, professional and ethical advice is sometimes avoided and forgotten. Because of this, the families of those unfortunate enough to have been victims of this negligent and unethical behavior have no other choice but to file an anesthesia malpractice case. 

 

 

Where Does Anesthesia Malpractice Occur?

The majority of people often think that anesthesia medical malpractice only happens in on the operating table in a hospital or other medical facility. This isn't always the case, however, because injury can occur both prior to and following a patient's surgery. Some anesthesia malpractice cases have even occurred in dental offices. This kind of negligence has been seen in a range of different situations. For instance, anesthesia malpractice can happen during childbirth, dental procedures and plastic surgery.

A patient who has been a victim of an anesthesia mistake can suffer from a variety of side effects. Among the most common side effects that have resulted from an anesthesia mistake and have caused an anesthesia malpractice case to be filed are:

·         Cerebral palsy

·         Brain damage

·         Nerve damage

·         Paralysis

Are you thinking about filing an anesthesia malpractice case? If so, please contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your case and ensure that you and your loved ones receive the legal support and advice you need and deserve.

Tags: anesthesia, anesthesia malpractice, anesthesia malpractice cases, anesthesia medical malpractice, medical malpractice