Maryland Anesthesia Malpractice Attorneys

Lawyers for Injuries Caused by Anesthesia Errors in Baltimore, MD

The use of anesthesia is commonplace in operating rooms across the United States. The administration of anesthesia allows physicians to place a patient into an unconscious or semi-conscious state so that a surgical procedure can take place without exposing the patient to pain. As with most medical procedures, however, serious mistakes can occur during the administration of anesthesia. When negligence by anesthesiologists or other anesthesia providers leads to harm to patients, the medical malpractice attorneys at Silverman Thompson can help hold these parties responsible for the injuries that have occurred.

Problems With Anesthesia

Because anesthesia is designed to "affect" the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) during a surgery, when errors occur, the results can be devastating to the patient. They may include, but are not limited to:

• Loss of motor function (walking, moving arms/legs)
• Paralysis
• Nerve damage
• Loss of vision
• Brain damage
• Wrongful death

In today's highly specialized medical community, the administration of anesthesia is no longer only occurring in hospitals, but it also routinely takes place in physicians' offices, outpatient centers, surgicenters, dental offices, and cosmetic surgery clinics, to name a few. This frequency increases the chances of potential errors.

Some common types of anesthesia errors include:

• Failure to monitor the condition/vital signs of a patient who has been placed under anesthesia
• Improper placement of breathing tubes that causes physical injury to the throat or lungs
• Improper placement of breathing tubes that prevents an adequate flow of oxygen to the brain, resulting in brain damage
• Inadequate anesthetic levels that cause a patient to awaken during surgery and/or feel conscious pain
• Improper positioning of a patient under anesthesia that results in disabling nerve or muscle injuries
• Allergic reactions to anesthetic drugs
• Administration of the wrong anesthetic drug or administration of the correct anesthetic drug via the wrong point of access (e.g., spinal catheter vs. intravenous line)
• The use of improperly functioning anesthetic equipment

Risk Factors Related to Anesthesia

Generally speaking, most people do not experience problems with general anesthesia during surgical procedures. Risk factors that can increase a patient's risk of developing a complication include, but are not limited to:

• Co-morbidities involving the heart, lungs, or kidneys
• Medications that increase bleeding, like aspirin or Coumadin
• Heavy alcohol use
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Sleep apnea
• A prior history of adverse reaction to anesthesia

Adverse reactions to anesthesia may include temporary paralysis, stroke, infection of the lungs, heart attacks, and death. Recent studies suggest that the incidence of complications stemming from the administration of anesthesia is roughly 1-2 for every 1,000 patients.

Anesthesiologists must fully inform patients of the possible complications associated with anesthesia. Prior to surgery, a person may be asked to stop taking medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), ibuprofen, aspirin, or any other drugs that may affect the ability of blood to clot if they start bleeding.

Contact Our Baltimore, MD Anesthesia Error Lawyers

Because of the serious risks that patients can face if anesthesia is not administered correctly, medical professionals are required to take all appropriate steps to protect patients from harm during surgery or other procedures. At Silverman Thompson, our lawyers can help patients understand their options if they have suffered injuries related to anesthesia. Attorneys Andrew G. Slutkin and Ethan S. Nochumowitz provide legal help for people who have suffered harm due to medical negligence. To get legal help with these issues, contact our Baltimore anesthesiologist error attorneys at 410-385-2225 and arrange a free consultation.