For many years anesthesia has been used to take away the sensation and overall feeling of pain for someone who is going through a physically traumatic experience. Doctors use this painkiller to allow their patients to undergo surgeries and other procedures, both common and uncommon, without feeling a great deal of pain. The term anesthesia itself has been defined as “reversing the lack of awareness,” which is done by blocking the nerves.

These days, the term general anesthesia can often be heard around hospital and other medical centers. General anesthesia is commonly used to put patients into a semi-conscious state, to prevent memory formation and to relax the body during a procedure. However, more and more cases of anesthesia malpractice are arising due to the wrongful administering of the medication, a mistake that has led to cases of cerebral palsy, stroke and even death.

Anesthesia Malpractice Is a Common Occurrence

Research shoes that anesthesia medical malpractice accounts for a large number of medical malpractice cases across the United States. This life-altering problem is documented as being the twelfth highest medical specialty in terms of the percentage of physicians who have been forced to pay claims for mistakes involving the drug.

For many, the fact that anesthesia malpractice is so common is surprising due to the well-known fact that proving negligence or any wrongdoing by an anesthesiologist or part of his or her staff is thought of as the most difficult malpractice to prove. Anesthesia malpractice is often hard to prove because during the time of the malpractice, the patient usually either unconscious or heavily sedated. Therefore, minimal medical records are available as a source of reference in the case. However, as the research proves that hasn’t stopped citizens from taking legal action when either they or their loved ones have been wronged against their will.  

How Does Anesthesia Malpractice Happen?

Many anesthesia malpractice cases have occurred due to the fact that hospitals and out-patient clinics aren’t careful enough and don’t keep anesthesia notes in a patient's chart. According to reports, every hospital and outpatient clinic should keep a chart on each patient that includes:

• A Pre-Anesthesia Exam
  
• Informed Consent Form
  
• Operative Record
  
• Transfer Notes
  
• Physician Notes
  
• Post-Anesthesia Record

This is essential in the case that anesthesia malpractice does occur because such a chart could reveal what mistake was made or if any alterations to the patient’s surgery were taken.

Most people tend to think that anesthesia malpractice only takes place in the operating room; however, this isn’t always the case. Anesthesia malpractice has been known to happen while the patient is being prepared for surgery, after surgery and even while patients are in the recovery room. It can also take place during childbirth and during even the simplest of dental procedures.

Do you have a loved one who has been the victim of anesthesia malpractice? If so, please contact us today to speak with an experienced medical attorney who will evaluate the case and ensure that you and your loved ones receive the legal guidance you deserve.

Three ways to Contact Us:

    --  Fill out the Contact Us form in the Upper Right part of this page.

    --  Use the Contact Us form located on the Instant Answer Page

    --  Call us:  1-800-838-0800

 
 See Also:

    * Medical Negligence Compensation
    * Medical Malpractice Negligence

Cerebral Palsy Law Blog