When a patient is taken to the operating room, the onus is on the surgical team to prepare them for surgery in a safe and controlled manner, adhering to established protocols and guidelines to minimize risks and optimize outcomes. However, despite diligent preparation, anesthesia errors can still occur, potentially resulting in harm to the patient.
Victims of anesthesia errors may be able to seek recourse through legal channels to pursue compensation for their injuries. Common injuries as a result of anesthesia errors include the following.
Nerve damage
Improperly administered anesthesia can lead to nerve damage, which may manifest as numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis in the affected area. This can occur due to several factors such as excessive pressure on nerves during positioning, improper injection techniques or the use of anesthesia agents that are toxic to nerves. Nerve damage can have significant implications for the patient’s quality of life, potentially causing long-term disability and chronic pain.
Anesthetic awareness
This is a situation where a patient regains consciousness or remains conscious during surgery, despite being under anesthesia. It can result in the patient experiencing sensations, sounds or even pain while being unable to move or communicate. Anesthetic awareness can be profoundly distressing for the patient and may lead to psychological trauma, including symptoms of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Brain damage
Anesthesia errors can also result in brain damage, which can occur due to various factors such as prolonged hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), inadequate blood flow to the brain or adverse reactions to anesthesia medications. Brain damage can lead to a range of neurological impairments including cognitive deficits, memory loss, motor dysfunction, seizures and even coma. The severity of brain damage can vary depending on factors such as the duration of oxygen deprivation and the patient’s overall health status.
If you suffered injury as a result of anesthesia error, seeking legal guidance can help you understand your options for recourse.