Representing Anesthesiology Error Victims In Chicago
If you or a loved one has experienced an anesthesiology error, you might be feeling overwhelmed, frightened and unsure of what to do next. Working with a medical malpractice attorney can guide you through the complex legal process and help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on healing and moving forward.
The Deratany Law Firm LLC takes the time to find the facts and build the strongest possible legal case for clients in Chicago on medical malpractice, like anesthesiology errors. Voted top Chicago, Illinois, personal injury lawyers for 13 years, and with over 100 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys are relentless litigators who comprehensively analyze every aspect of a case.
What Are Anesthesiology Errors?
Anesthesiology errors occur when a mistake is made during the administration of anesthesia before, during or after a medical procedure. These errors can happen in hospitals, outpatient surgical centers or dental offices.
How Often Do Anesthesiology Errors Happen?
Anesthesiology errors are more frequent than many patients realize. Despite advances in medical technology and training, mistakes during anesthesia administration continue to pose serious risks.
A 2019 analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database revealed over 17,000 anesthetic errors between 2007 and 2014, resulting in 131 deaths, underscoring the importance of vigilance and accountability in surgical settings.
In a separate observational study conducted by Harvard researchers, 124 operations were reviewed, uncovering 153 medication errors and 91 adverse drug events during 3,675 medication administrations. Notably, nearly 80% of these incidents were preventable.
The study also found that almost 70% of the errors were classified as serious and 30% were deemed significant. These findings suggest that anesthesiology errors are not only common but also often avoidable with proper care and stringent oversight.
Patients undergoing surgery rely on anesthesiologists to make precise decisions under pressure. When those decisions fall short, the consequences can be life-altering. Understanding the prevalence of errors helps patients and families recognize the importance of legal recourse when harm occurs.
Types Of Anesthesia And Possible Complications
It is often important to be aware of what can happen when someone is administered with anesthesia. The following includes the three types of anesthesia and the possible complications that can arise:
● Local anesthesia affects a specific part of the body, is minimally invasive and does not cause a person to lose consciousness. It often only lasts for a few minutes. Side effects of local anesthesia are usually minor, but severe complications can arise due to overdoses, central nervous system damage, cardiovascular effects and accidental intravascular injections.
● Regional anesthesia provides a patient with pain relief for a larger part of the body. A doctor can administer anesthesia with an injection to a specific part of the body near the spine. Regional anesthesia is typically used for an epidural or spinal block. The consequences of a regional anesthesia error may include bleeding, nerve damage, infections, seizures, cardiac arrest, neurological problems and death.
● General anesthesia is used to keep a person unconscious during surgery while providing pain relief. The anesthesia may either be inhaled through a mask or injected by a needle. It is typically decided by doctors that putting a person under general anesthesia is the safest option to avoid complications during surgery. Once the anesthesia takes effect, some people will remain awake while others can lose consciousness. Pain relief can last for a few hours to days after the anesthesia is administered. General anesthesia mistakes could lead to permanent neurological problems, brain damage, strokes, respiratory arrest, heart attacks, severe allergic reactions and death.
Suffering from complications after an anesthesiology error can be difficult for families and victims. Our attorneys can help you build your legal case.
Common Types Of Anesthesiology Errors
Anesthesiology errors can take various forms, but some of the most common include:
- Dosage errors like administering too much or too little anesthesia.
- Failure to monitor a patient’s vital signs can result in undetected complications like oxygen deprivation.
- Incorrectly inserting a breathing tube can lead to severe injuries, such as airway damage.
- Delayed or improper response to complications can result in serious harm to the patient.
The recovery process can take time, and additional medical care costs can quickly add up. So, working with an anesthesiology error attorney can be helpful.
How To Prove An Anesthesiology Error
For a successful anesthesiology error case, it must be demonstrated that a doctor or medical practitioner breached their duty of care and caused harm to a patient. This can be done by gathering evidence showing that a practitioner used the wrong dosage of anesthesia, failed to properly monitor the patient’s vital signs or did not respond to improper medical techniques, for example.
What Compensation Is Available For Anesthesiology Error Injuries?
Those harmed by anesthesiology errors in Illinois may be entitled to compensation for a range of damages. These mistakes can lead to long-term medical complications, emotional trauma and financial hardship for patients. A successful claim can help offset these burdens and support recovery.
Common forms of compensation include:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, corrective procedures and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages due to missed work or reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering caused by physical and emotional distress
- Rehabilitation costs for therapy or specialized care
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to permanent disability or impairment
Since each case is unique, the amount awarded typically depends on injury severity and its impact on the victim’s life. An experienced Illinois medical malpractice attorney can help ensure all damages are properly documented and pursued. This can make a critical difference in securing the compensation needed to move forward with life confidently.
Why Work With The Deratany Law Firm LLC?
Choosing to handle a claim alone can be overwhelming, especially when recovering from a medical error. At The Deratany Law Firm LLC, our legal team has the experience and resources to fight for you.
Our attorneys will handle every aspect of your claim, helping ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been affected by an anesthesiology error in Chicago, The Deratany Law Firm LLC can offer the legal help you need.
Call 312-748-3378 or contact us online to book a free consultation today to get started.