Any medical procedure that you undergo is likely to be conducted with the use of anesthesia. The type of anesthesia that is administered depends on the severity of your medical procedure, and most anesthesia errors tend to happen with general anesthesia and occasionally regional anesthesia.
What are the Types of Anesthesia?
There are four different types of anesthesia.
- Local Anesthesia
You are fully awake and alert when you receive local anesthesia. It is used for minor, common procedures and only numbs the small area of your body where the procedure is taking place.
- IV/Monitored Sedation
Your level of alertness and consciousness depends on the procedure you are having done and the amount of sedation your doctor believes is necessary. Also known as conscious sedation, this type of anesthesia is used for minimally invasive procedures.
- Regional Anesthesia
You are fully awake and alert when you receive regional anesthesia. This anesthesia is used for complex procedures that involve numbing the arms, legs, or abdomen.
- General Anesthesia
You are completely unalert and unconscious when you receive general anesthesia. It is the riskiest type of anesthesia and is used for highly complicated surgeries.
Brain Damage
Because of the complexities of regional and general anesthesia, a simple doctor error can have grave consequences on you as a patient, with the worst case being partial or total brain damage resulting in a lack of oxygen reaching your brain. Common doctor errors that increase your risk of brain damage include:
- Your complete medical history not being taken
- You not being adequately examined to determine if complications are likely to occur
- Administering too much anesthesia resulting in lack of oxygen to your brain
- Administering too little anesthesia resulting in unintended intraoperative awareness
- Administering the incorrect anesthesia drug, leading to complications and allergic reactions
- Failing to properly monitor your vital signs during the procedure
- Using faulty medical equipment and devices that are outdated and/or have not been trial tested
- Failing to notice you’ve vomited during surgery; causing anesthesia aspiration
- Improper intubation resulting in lack of oxygen to your brain
Legal Matters
Anesthesia and anesthesiology is an incredibly complex medical discipline which can result in an array of anesthesia errors. Your best point of action is to consult with a qualified medical malpractice lawyer if you wish to open an anesthesia error medical malpractice lawsuit. This consultation is paramount, as the law differs between states. If you are an NYC resident, then you need to consult with a qualified NYC medical malpractice attorney who is familiar with the medical malpractice law specific to the state.
Once you have consulted with your lawyer, they will be able to tell you whether your case is viable or not and advise you further. If your case is viable, then they will represent you and guide you through the steps of a medical malpractice lawsuit and see that you have the best chance of receiving compensation for the damage that was done to you.
Contact
If you believe that you or a family member may have experienced complications due to an anesthesia error, please contact the medical malpractice lawyers of Rosenburg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff LLP in NYC today and speak to one of our medical malpractice attorneys.
When you are ready to talk, we are ready to listen. Call 212-344-1000 for a free, confidential consultation.
