Anesthesia Errors During Surgery and Lasting Harm in Reading, PA
An anesthesia error can have an array of consequences, including brain injuries, paralysis, overdose, or even death. Victims of these errors have the right to pursue a legal case against the medical professional who caused them harm. If you’ve experienced an anesthesia error during a surgery, you need the help of medical malpractice lawyers in Reading at Fanelli, Evans & Patel to protect your legal rights.
What Are Anesthesia Errors?
Anesthesia errors occur when a medical professional makes a preventable mistake before, during, or after administering anesthesia. These errors may involve:
- Giving too much or too little anesthesia
- Failure to monitor oxygen levels or heart rate
- Administering anesthesia to a patient with known allergies
- Failure to review a patient’s medical history
- Waking during surgery, known as anesthesia awareness
Even a brief mistake can lead to severe consequences, as anesthesia directly affects critical bodily functions. Potential long-term physical impacts can include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A lack of oxygen during surgery can cause brain damage. Patients may experience memory loss, difficulty concentrating, speech problems, or permanent cognitive impairment.
Nerve and Organ Damage
Improper positioning during surgery can lead to chronic nerve pain, numbness, or paralysis. Anesthesia complications may also affect major organs. In severe cases, patients may require lifelong treatment or additional surgeries.
Emotional Trauma
Patients who experience anesthesia awareness may suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, develop sleep disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Many individuals become scared of future medical procedures or lose faith in healthcare providers altogether.
Steps to Take After Experiencing an Anesthesia Error
If you believe you were harmed by an anesthesia mistake, taking immediate action can help protect both your health and your ability to seek accountability.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
Your health should always come first. If you experience unusual symptoms after surgery, such as breathing difficulties, severe pain, numbness, confusion, or memory problems, seek medical attention right away. A second opinion from another healthcare provider can help identify complications.
Step 2: Request Medical Records
Obtain copies of all medical records related to your procedure, including:
- Surgical reports
- Anesthesia records
- Medication logs
- Monitoring records
- Discharge instructions
These documents may help identify what went wrong during treatment.
Step 3: Document Your Symptoms
Keep detailed notes about your symptoms, emotional distress, and how the injury affects your daily life. This can provide key evidence during your future legal case.
Step 4: Consult a Medical Malpractice Attorney
An experienced medical malpractice attorney can review the unique details of your case, explain your legal rights as a Pennsylvania resident, and determine whether negligence may have occurred. They can then help you gather and preserve all relevant evidence to your case to help bolster your legal claim.
Our Reading Medical Malpractice Attorneys Are Ready to Take On Your Case
Trying to take on a malpractice case while recovering from your injuries can quickly become overwhelming. Our Reading medical malpractice lawyers at Fanelli, Evans & Patel understand what you are experiencing and can provide the legal knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your case. Don’t hesitate to contact us online today or call our firm at 484-869-2113 to schedule an appointment with our team.