Anesthesia Errors

California Anesthesia Error Attorney

A Skilled Lawyer Fighting for Patients Harmed by Anesthesia Errors in San Francisco

Anesthesia plays an important role in modern medical procedures by allowing doctors to perform complex surgeries while minimizing pain and discomfort for patients. Skilled anesthesiologists are supposed to carefully administer and monitor anesthetic agents to manage the patient’s level of consciousness, vital functions, and pain perception during an operation. Errors in the administration or management of anesthesia can lead to serious consequences, including complications like respiratory distress, allergic reactions, or prolonged recovery times.

If you suffered pain or health complications as the result of an anesthesia error, Peterson Injury Law can help you seek justice. Our founding attorney, Erik L. Peterson, has successfully resolved numerous medical malpractice claims throughout his over 30 years in practice. He has been named to the prestigious Super Lawyers® Magazine every year since 2006 and can put his experience to work for you. We can fight to hold the responsible party or parties responsible for the suffering you have endured and pursue full and fair compensation for your damages. You owe no legal fees unless we help you secure compensation.

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our California anesthesia error lawyer today by calling (415) 630-2913 or contacting us online. A member of our team is available 24/7, so don’t wait to reach out!

How Long Do I Have to File an Anesthesia Error Lawsuit in California?

Under California law, you typically only have one year from the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered injuries or damages to file an anesthesia error lawsuit, but no more than three years from the date the incident occurred. This means that if an anesthesia error in your case led to immediately obvious complications following the procedure, you likely only have one year to bring a claim.

Waiting too long to take legal action will likely result in your forfeiting your right to pursue a case and recover compensation. Unfortunately, if you discover anesthesia error-related damages more than three years after the procedure, for example, you will most likely be unable to bring a claim, no matter the severity of your injuries or the strength of your case.

This is why getting legal advice as soon as possible is extremely important if you think you may have been harmed by an anesthesia error. At Peterson Injury Law, we can review your rights and legal options and help you understand the deadlines that apply to your case.

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Types of Anesthesia Errors

Administering anesthesia requires precision, expertise, and complete attentiveness from healthcare professionals. The delicate nature of anesthesia means any error can result in severe, life-altering consequences for the patient. While advancements in medical science have increased the safety of anesthesia, it remains a high-stakes area in medicine where negligence or mismanagement can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Types of anesthesia errors that can cause significant patient harm include:

Dosage errors. Administering the wrong dosage of anesthesia, either too much or too little, poses significant dangers. An excessive dose can lead to complications like breathing difficulties, brain damage, or even fatality. Conversely, an insufficient dose might result in the patient remaining partially conscious or experiencing pain during the procedure. Proper preparation, vigilance, and accurate calculations by the anesthesiologist are crucial aspects of delivering the right amount of medication.
Failure to monitor vital signs. During surgery, medical professionals must continuously monitor the patient’s vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and respiratory function. Any lapse in observation can lead to severe repercussions, as anesthesia affects key bodily functions. Real-time monitoring allows healthcare professionals to detect and address issues as they arise. Neglecting this duty jeopardizes patient safety and increases the likelihood of avoidable complications.
Intubation errors. Anesthesia sometimes involves intubating the patient to maintain an open airway during a procedure. Errors like improper placement of the breathing tube or delayed insertion can result in oxygen deprivation, aspiration of stomach contents, or trauma to the throat and lungs. These mistakes can cause long-term health issues and even life-threatening situations if not addressed promptly.
Failure to review patient medical history. Administering anesthesia requires a thorough understanding of the patient’s medical history, including allergies, previous reactions to anesthetics, current medications, and chronic conditions. Neglecting to evaluate these factors increases the risk of adverse reactions or harmful drug interactions. A detailed pre-operative assessment is an important step that should never be overlooked in medical care.
Use of contaminated or defective equipment. Anesthesia equipment, such as ventilators, monitoring devices, and drug delivery systems, must function flawlessly during procedures. Using contaminated or malfunctioning tools can expose patients to infections, mechanical failures, or improper medication delivery. Regular maintenance, sterilization, and testing of equipment are integral to ensuring patient safety and reducing the risk of preventable errors.

Do I Have an Anesthesia Error Claim?

To successfully pursue a claim and recover compensation, you must be able to demonstrate several elements. Our California anesthesia error attorney can review your circumstances, advise whether you have a strong case, and help you gather the evidence needed to establish these elements.

First, you must show that the healthcare professional who harmed you owed you a duty of care. An anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist, or any medical professional administering anesthesia has a legal obligation to provide care that meets established medical standards. This duty of care arises from the doctor-patient relationship, which serves as the foundation for any claim of medical malpractice. In practice, you can show that a duty of care existed by providing documentation that you were a patient and underwent a procedure involving anesthesia when the incident occurred.

Next, you must present evidence of a breach of that duty of care. This involves showing that the medical professional acted in a manner that deviated from the accepted standard of care. For example, failing to properly review a patient’s medical history, administering the wrong dosage of anesthesia, or neglecting to monitor vital signs during a procedure could constitute breaches of the duty of care. Establishing this breach often requires testimony from qualified medical experts who can clarify how the care provided fell short of professional standards.

You must also prove causation to succeed in an anesthesia error claim. Put another way, you need to show that the breach of duty directly caused you harm. It is not enough to show that the anesthesiologist made a mistake. You must directly link the error to your injuries or damages. Proving causation may involve reconstructing the sequence of events through medical records, expert analysis, and other evidence to establish how the error led to your injuries.

Finally, a successful claim requires proof of damages. You must establish that the anesthesia error resulted in specific harm, such as physical injury, prolonged recovery, additional medical expenses, lost wages, or emotional suffering. Documentation of medical bills, employment records, and evaluations from mental health professionals can serve as evidence to substantiate these damages.

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Types of Compensation Available in California Anesthesia Error Cases

A successful anesthesia error claim allows you to secure compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are quantifiable losses that can be established through clear documentation, while non-economic damages refer to more intangible losses like pain that are more difficult to quantify.

Our California anesthesia error lawyer can fight to get you just compensation for all economic and non-economic damages, including:

Medical expenses arising due to the anesthesia error, including long-term treatments, prescription medications, medical devices, and physical therapy
Lost income from missed work caused by the anesthesia error
Lost earning capacity if the consequences of the anesthesia error prevent you from returning to work or doing the same type of work
Physical pain and suffering resulting from the anesthesia error
Emotional suffering resulting from the anesthesia error
Loss of quality of life caused by the anesthesia error

We can help hold the party or parties responsible for your anesthesia error accountable. Call (415) 630-2913 or contact us online today.

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