Anesthesia plays a vital role in surgery, allowing patients to undergo medical procedures without experiencing pain. However, errors in anesthesia administration can result in serious complications, even long-term harm. In Pennsylvania, patients affected by anesthesia errors have certain rights and options that they should be aware of.
Learn what to do if an anesthesia error occurred during your surgery.
Documenting the error
The first step after suspecting an anesthesia error is documenting all related information. This includes the type of anesthesia used, the anesthesiologist involved and any side effects or complications experienced. Thorough documentation helps build a comprehensive picture of the situation and can be essential for future steps.
Seeking medical attention
Seek immediate medical attention. Early intervention can help mitigate the potential harm caused by anesthesia errors. It is essential to inform healthcare providers about the suspected anesthesia error to ensure appropriate treatment.
Exploring a medical malpractice claim
In Pennsylvania, an anesthesia error could potentially be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. To pursue a claim, the patient generally needs to prove that the anesthesiologist failed to provide a reasonable standard of care, that this failure directly resulted in harm and that you suffered damages as a result.
The process of making a medical malpractice claim in Pennsylvania can be complex. It usually involves collecting evidence, drafting a complaint and potentially going to trial. Although it can be a challenging process, successful claims can result in compensation for damages, which can cover medical bills, loss of earnings and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Following these steps can help patients manage the aftermath of anesthesia errors during surgery.