There is a reason there are special doctors in charge of administering anesthesia. It is a dangerous drug that can lead to serious brain damage and cardiac arrest when not administered properly. If a negligent anesthesia error has led to serious medical concerns for you or your loved one, a Charlotte anesthesia error lawyer can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
At Elam & Rousseaux, PLLC, our medical malpractice attorneys fight for compensation on behalf of anesthesia error victims throughout North Carolina. Our team makes it our focus to give victims and loved ones the attention their case deserves, focusing on offering individualized quality legal services and support.
In most hospitals, the anesthesiologist will rotate between several operating rooms at once. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is often the only one who stays to monitor the patient during the operation. If the CRNA fails to properly monitor vital signs or call the anesthesiologist in time, major problems can ensue. Other times, anesthesia errors occur when a patient has been given an improper dosage.
We protect victims who have suffered a variety of injuries due to anesthesia errors, including:
Many cases of anesthesia errors occur during intubation or extubation, which are the processes of inserting or removing the breathing tube. The breathing tube is administered in order to make sure a patient can breathe properly. When it is taken out too soon, patients are not able to breathe on their own because the paralytic has not yet worn off.
We once represented the family of a two-month-old child who did not get proper resuscitation drugs in time. The child had a heart rate that was too slow, and it was not recognized for 28 minutes. By the time proper treatment was administered, the child had already suffered a serious brain injury.
A medical malpractice claim can be filed against any healthcare provider who committed an error. Under North Carolina General Statutes 90-21.11, a healthcare provider is defined as:
You may be able to pursue financial compensation against the doctor or hospital for any errors in the administration of anesthesia. Any malpractice performed by the doctor, anesthesiologist, or hospital could lead to a legal case in Charlotte. They have a duty to administer care to their patients, and any violation of that duty could be considered malpractice. If you have been the victim of errors or malpractice related to anesthesia, speak with an experienced attorney for help.
To prove anesthesia malpractice, you must prove that the anesthesiologist failed their duty to provide reasonable care and that this failure directly caused injuries or damages. There are typically four elements involved: duty, breach, injury, and causation. Duty is the established relationship between the patient, a breach is the failure to uphold that duty, injury is the direct harm from the damages, and causation is that the injury was caused directly because of the breach of duty.
If you experience a surgical error during your surgery, you should seek immediate medical attention. You should contact your surgeon promptly and explain the issue. It’s critical that you document everything. This includes the date, time, and details of what happened. Document all forms of communication. Write down everything that happened as you remember it. Finally, you should speak with an attorney experienced in these types of cases.
There are multiple forms of evidence you could use in an anesthesia error case in North Carolina. One simple form of evidence is medical records. This is where the anesthesia process and any errors that occurred should be documented. Another form would be witness statements. Anyone who witnessed the incident or how it damaged you could be called to testify in your case. Additionally, any surgical or clinical notes taken by the surgeon or physician could be used.
An anesthesia error attorney can help you in several ways. Of the many services they can provide, they can investigate your claim, interview key witnesses, file a claim on your behalf, negotiate with the other party, consult with medical professionals to strengthen your case, and answer any legal questions. An attorney is often needed to help prove negligence or breach of duty. Engaging an attorney gives you the greatest chance of receiving financial compensation.
Talk to the Charlotte medical malpractice lawyers at Elam & Rousseaux, PLLC, now to share the details of what happened to you or your loved one. We are here to pursue justice and seek compensation for the wrongs done to you. Call 704-343-0000 now to schedule your free consultation with our team.
“*“Indicates Required Fields
"*" indicates required fields