Anesthesia Malpractice

The Maine anesthesia malpractice attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates are leaders in medical malpractice law. We are dedicated to defending the rights of patients injured by the improper administration of anesthesia and other types of negligence. Our firm provides stellar legal representation to clients throughout Maine.

Anesthesia malpractice generally refers to the negligent administration of anesthesia, causing harm to the patient. General anesthesia, which induces full unconsciousness, is typically administered through a laryngeal tube that allows the patient to inhale the gas. Local anesthetics, such as epidurals, may be injected into the patient to numb a certain part of the body, without inducing unconsciousness. “Monitored” anesthesia may be used to create varying degrees of sedation according to the patient’s needs. While essential to modern medicine, anesthesia requires careful administration to avoid potentially lethal complications.

Complications caused by the negligent administration of anesthesia can include:

• Anaphylactic shock
• Malignant hyperthermia
• Allergies and drug reactions
• Nausea, vomiting, or shivering
• Awareness under anesthesia
• Lip or dental injury, sore throat
• Muscle aches, bruises, or swelling
• Nerve injuries and organ dysfunction
• Heart attack, stroke, or metabolic reaction
• Increased risks for patients with various medical conditions

Recent celebrity news has highlighted the risks associated with anesthesia malpractice and abuse. If improperly administered or given in the wrong dose, anesthesia can severely repress the central nervous system and cause permanent damage or death. Physicians who negligently give patients anesthetics may be held civilly and criminally liable for the resulting injury or death. In order to prove anesthetic malpractice, the patient or surviving family member must show that the doctor breached a legal duty of care. The required level of care is determined by professional practice and community standards. The improper administration of anesthesia clearly falls below this standard of care. Physicians are legally liable for any injuries caused by their negligence.

Maine medical malpractice laws provide a legal remedy for individuals and families harmed by anesthetic malpractice. Unfortunately, doctors and hospitals do not make it easy to detect preventable mistakes. Patients who suffer allergic or abnormal reactions to anesthesia should ask their doctors about complications during recovery. If they are not satisfied with the answers, patients should consult a qualified medical malpractice attorney. A team of medical consultant experts and legal professionals can review the patient’s records to determine if there was negligence or an attempt to cover up the mistake. Sometimes, the adverse effects of anesthesia malpractice do not manifest themselves until weeks after recovery.

Victims injured by anesthesia malpractice are entitled to several forms of damages. First, they are entitled to compensation for medical expenses, from the treatment they received at the time of the operation to any extended hospital stay or nursing care required during recovery. They are also entitled to future medical costs for rehabilitation or therapy as the injury requires. Second, injured victims may recover any income lost from their inability to work. If the injury causes permanent damage, they may recover future earnings. Finally, the victim is entitled to damages for pain and suffering. Surviving family members may also recover compensation related to the loss of relationship with the deceased. This includes damages for lost companionship and care.

If you were injured by negligently administered anesthesia, the experienced Maine anesthesia malpractice lawyers at Peter Thompson & Associates can help. We use state-of-the art technology and the most qualified medical consultants to thoroughly analyze each case. We focus not only on the present injury, but the future impacts that anesthesia malpractice has on the client’s life. By providing a comprehensive case showing financial loss and diminished quality of life, we can usually obtain a favorable settlement without accruing expensive court fees. Our firm has recovered substantial awards for injured patients and families across Maine. for a free consultation, call 800.804.2004 or contact us online.