Philadelphia Anesthesia Error Attorney

When we think about the wonders of modern medicine, most will agree that we’ve come a long way since the days of bloodletting. Technology allows us to transplant organs and perform life-saving procedures. But even with all of our scientific advancements, surgery can still be a dangerous affair. Anesthesia, in particular, is an area where a procedure can go dangerously wrong. So how do you know if you’ve been a victim of an anesthesia error? at Ciccarelli Law Offices our Philadelphia injury attorneys can help you answer any questions you may have, call our office today for a free consultation at (215) 515-7732.

Why Choose A Philadelphia Anesthesia Error Lawyer From Us? 

After sustaining an injury or illness caused by the negligent actions of a medical provider, Ciccarelli Law Offices is ready to step in and help you through this entire process. 

• When you expect results, turn to the team with extensive experience handling complex medical malpractice claims throughout Pennsylvania.
• We have built a reputation of success by securing major settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of injury victims, and we know what it takes to stand up to at-fault parties every step of the way.
• Our team has no problem taking a case all the way to trial if that is what it takes to ensure our clients are treated fairly.

Contact our Philadelphia Anesthesia Error Lawyer

• Free Consultations
• No Fees Unless We win
• Success in over 95% of Cases
• Award-Winning Legal Representation

Types of Anesthesia and Potential Complications

There are various types of anesthesia that may be used, and this will all depend on the type of procedure an individual needs to undergo.

• Local anesthesia. This type of anesthesia is used specifically on parts of the body where a procedure is going to occur. Using local anesthesia, individuals undergo a procedure while conscious. However, large doses of local anesthesia can lead to trauma if the body absorbs too much in the bloodstream. This can lead to system toxicity that can impact blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and other bodily functions.
• Regional anesthesia. Regional anesthesia is administered by injection near a nerve or bunch of nerves or even in the spinal cord. This type of anesthesia numbs an entire area of the body but typically leaves the patient conscious. Improper use of regional anesthesia could lead to damaged nerves. 
• General anesthesia. This type of anesthesia is what individuals typically think of when they think of surgical procedures. General anesthesia does render a person unconscious, and this can significantly affect bodily function. This type of anesthesia affects the natural throat functioning of the body, can alter blood pressure and heart rate, and can lead to various other complications that must be addressed.

Some of the more serious complications resulting from anesthesia can include heart attack, stroke, and brain damage.

What Kinds of Complications Can I Expect from Anesthesia?

Everyone responds to anesthesia differently, so it’s hard to know what your reaction will be until you’ve had it. Anesthesia can cause complications such as:

• Nausea
• Postoperative pain
• Mental confusion
• Brain damage
• Difficulty breathing
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Allergic reaction

Causes of Anesthesia Errors In Philadelphia

Anesthesiologists are highly trained medical professionals. They are doctors, but they have specialized in the process of anesthetizing individuals for various medical procedures. However, the anesthesiologist is not the only individual involved in the process of using anesthesia. There are other members of the team. Even though the anesthesiologist is primarily responsible for the patient when administering and monitoring anesthesia medications, there may be nurses, pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, and even other doctors or surgeons involved in this process for the patient.

Anesthesia errors can occur if any person on the medical or surgical team disregards their basic duties to the patient. Any medical professional working on a patient, particularly for a surgical or anesthesia procedure, owes a certain standard of medical care to the patient. If a medical professional does not uphold the standard of medical care required, this could lead to serious injuries occurring.

Some of the most common causes of anesthesia errors include:

• Medication errors. This can include giving too much or not enough of a specific medication, failing to check to see if the patient has adverse reactions to a specific anesthesia medication, or failing to check for contraindications between a patient’s medications and the anesthesia medications.
• Failing to review patient history. Any medical professional should review a patient’s medical history before performing any procedure, including anesthesia.
• Failing to monitor a patient’s vitals. Any patient undergoing anesthesia must be continually monitored. This includes monitoring before the procedure, during the procedure, and during the recovery period after a procedure.
• Prolonged sedation. Leaving a patient under anesthesia for too long can lead to significant internal health consequences.
• Failing to respond to complications. It is one thing to continually monitor a patient during an anesthesia procedure, but medical professionals must also respond to any complications that arise that could harm the patient. 
• Faulty equipment. All of the equipment used during an anesthesia procedure or other medical procedure where anesthesia is used must work properly in order for the patient to remain safe.

Damages Available In A Philadelphia Anesthesia Errors Claim 

Individuals who sustain an injury or illness caused by anesthesia errors may be able to recover various types of compensation if their medical malpractice claim is successful. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our team works diligently to recover both economic and non-economic damages for medical malpractice victims because we know how important this compensation is for the recovery process:

Economic damages revolve around more calculable expenses that individuals will likely incur as a result of an anesthesia error. The most common types of economic losses associated with an anesthesia error case include the following:

• Additional medical expenses are rising due to the error
• Any necessary in-home or follow-up medical care
• Surgical expenses
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Lost income for a person who cannot work
• Various household out-of-pocket needs

Non-economic damages involve less calculable expenses than the types of economic damages we just mentioned. These are more immeasurable because this compensation seeks to provide money for more unseen injuries individuals experience, including their emotional pain and suffering, physical pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the injuries and any disability they sustain.

Who Is Liable In A Philadelphia Anesthesia Error Claim?

As we mentioned before, there are various medical professionals involved in any anesthesia process. However, the anesthesiologist has overall control of the patient during an anesthesia procedure. If an anesthesia error did indeed occur, it is likely that the anesthesiologist will be held responsible, but only if it can be shown that they neglected the medical standard of care for the patient.

Briefly defined, the medical standard of care revolves around whether or not a similarly trained medical professional would have responded in the same way in a similar situation. Determining whether or not an anesthesiologist or any other type of medical professional violated the medical standard of care involves listening to testimony from similarly trained physicians about the steps and procedures that may have been violated and what should have happened. It will be up to a jury to make a decision about whether or not an anesthesiologist disregarded their medical standard of care.

 When Does a Simple Mistake Become Negligence?

An anesthesiologist’s mistake becomes medical malpractice when your legal team can prove that the anesthesiologist failed to achieve a reasonable standard of care. What does this mean? Simply, your doctor would have to act in a way that a more competent physician wouldn’t. Your lawyer will elicit an expert opinion from another doctor, who will illustrate what they would have done differently to the court.

I Want To File a Claim for Anesthesia Error in Philadelphia

The first step to securing your deserved settlement is deciding on your legal representation. Look to a law firm with experience in dealing with anesthesia errors. Don’t let the hospital’s attorneys bully you into accepting a settlement that’s any less than what you deserve.

Contact a Philadelphia Anesthesia Error Lawyer

Seek the help of our Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Ciccarelli Law Firm for your anesthesiology claim. We’ve been in the business of helping Philadelphia residents achieve fair settlements for their malpractice claims for years. If you’d like us to review the specifics of your case, contact us for a case evaluation. Backed by the power of our firm, you’ll have the opportunity to receive compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, additional bills, and lost wages. Call us today!