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Anesthesia complications can become apparent in the recovery room or after returning home. When unusual symptoms suggest a preventable complication, the medical team may have made an error.
If you or a loved one suffered a severe post-surgical injury in Westchester County, you need a legal advocate to investigate the operating room records. At Fiedler Deutsch, LLP, an experienced White Plains medical malpractice lawyer can help you hold negligent medical providers accountable and secure the compensation you need to recover.
Warning Signs of an Anesthesia Injury
Temporary nausea, grogginess, and a sore throat are common following general anesthesia. More serious symptoms that become warning signs include:
- Breathing problems: Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty getting air, or blue lips can signal inadequate oxygen or excessive sedation.
- Trouble waking: A patient who remains unusually difficult to awaken may need immediate evaluation.
- Neurological changes: Seizures, new weakness, or difficulty speaking can indicate a serious complication.
- Severe reactions: Throat swelling, trouble breathing, or a rapid fever with muscle stiffness can require emergency treatment.
Let hospital staff know of these symptoms immediately or call 911 for life-threatening symptoms if you are at home. Once you receive necessary care, you can investigate why the complication developed and whether providers could have prevented it.
Evidence of Anesthesia Errors
It is critical to collect and review the following records that can potentially be evidence:
- The medications you received, your doses, and when staff administered them.
- Medical records or notes may also reveal whether providers considered allergies, other medications, or medical conditions that increased your risks of complications.
- Monitoring records can reveal changes in oxygen levels, breathing, and blood pressure.
Some complications occur despite appropriate treatment, so it is necessary to have an expert review the circumstances of your case. A White Plains anesthesia errors attorney has the connections and resources to hire an anesthesiology expert to compare changes in your monitoring records with the team’s response. For example, if records show that your breathing deteriorated well before staff recognized the problem or provided treatment.
What Mistakes Can Cause an Anesthesia Injury?
Errors in administering anesthesia or managing its effects can cause preventable injuries. These mistakes may include:
- Medication errors: Giving the wrong drug or a dose inappropriate for the patient’s condition.
- Missed allergies or drug interactions: Overlooking known allergies or other medications that affect anesthesia safety.
- Poor breathing support: Failing to maintain an open airway or provide adequate breathing assistance.
- Monitoring failures: Missing dangerous changes in oxygen levels, breathing, or blood pressure.
- Delayed treatment: Failing to respond promptly to breathing problems, severe reactions, or other complications.
More than one provider may share responsibility when an anesthesia mistake and a delayed response both contribute to the injury.
What if My Doctor Dismissed My Symptoms?
Postoperative care can become part of a malpractice claim when providers overlook signs of an anesthesia injury. For example, if a patient repeatedly reports worsening weakness after discharge, yet receives reassurance without being told to go in for an examination or further testing. The missed opportunity for treatment could have contributed additional harm to the original anesthesia complication.
Who Can I Contact About a Possible Anesthesia Error?
Discuss a possible anesthesia injury with Fiedler Deutsch, LLP during a free consultation. Call (914) 993-0393 or contact us online to arrange a conversation about your case.