When undergoing surgery, patients trust their medical team, including the anesthesiologist, to provide safe and effective care. Whether a procedure is minor or major, the administration of anesthesia requires precision. Even a slight miscalculation can lead to severe complications, including brain damage, organ failure, or even death. Because anesthesia affects vital functions, any errors in dosage, monitoring, or administration can have life-altering consequences.
Beyond anesthesia-related risks, mistakes made by nurses or other medical professionals can also pose significant dangers. Errors such as incorrect medication dosages, failure to properly monitor a patient, or neglectful post-surgical care can all lead to devastating outcomes. In some cases, surgical errors, including incorrect incisions or operating on the wrong site, can result in permanent harm. Every member of a surgical team is responsible for maintaining a high standard of care to prevent these critical errors.
Common Types of Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia malpractice cases often involve serious mistakes that cause long-term injury or fatal complications. Determining liability can be complex, as multiple parties—including anesthesiologists, surgeons, and nurses—may share responsibility. The American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims Project has reported that surgical anesthesia incidents account for nearly two-thirds of anesthesia-related claims, with a significant portion resulting in patient fatalities.
Some of the most frequently reported anesthesia errors include:
- Failing to secure or maintain a patient’s airway, leading to brain damage or injuries to the throat, lungs, and other organs
- Administering an excessive dosage, which may cause a stroke, heart attack, or dangerously low blood pressure
- Inadequate monitoring of a patient before, during, or after a procedure
- Insufficient evaluation of a patient’s tolerance to anesthesia, leading to complications such as malignant hyperthermia
- Allowing oxygen near heated surgical tools, causing severe burns
- Failing to review a patient’s medical history, increasing the risk of adverse reactions
- Errors related to improper positioning, which can result in nerve damage
Potential Injuries from Anesthesia Malpractice
Mistakes in anesthesia administration can lead to a wide range of injuries, from mild complications to life-threatening conditions. Some of the most commonly reported injuries include:
- Anaphylaxis: A severe allergic reaction to anesthesia drugs
- Nerve damage: This may occur due to improper positioning or prolonged pressure on certain areas of the body
- Oral trauma: Damage to the teeth, lips, gums, or tongue during intubation
- Brain damage, stroke, or heart attack: Often caused by oxygen deprivation or incorrect anesthesia dosages
- Blindness: A rare but severe postoperative complication
- Paralysis and spinal cord injuries: Resulting from errors in epidural or spinal anesthesia administration
Do You Have an Anesthesia Malpractice Case?
Patients who suffer complications from anesthesia may believe these risks are unavoidable. While some surgical complications are inherent, many anesthesia-related injuries occur due to negligence. Medical professionals are expected to follow strict protocols to prevent these errors. When they fail to do so, they can be held accountable.
Some factors that may indicate negligence include:
- Lack of proper training or certification
- Improperly maintained or defective anesthesia equipment
- Failure to follow established procedures for patient safety
If you or a loved one has experienced harm due to an anesthesia error in Montana, you may have legal grounds to seek compensation. Identifying malpractice can be challenging, but a knowledgeable anesthesiology malpractice attorney in Montana can evaluate the details of your case and determine your options.
Contact an Experienced Montana Anesthesia Malpractice Attorney
Anesthesia-related injuries can have serious and lasting consequences. If you suspect medical negligence played a role in your injury, it’s important to seek legal guidance. The team at Conner Marr & Pinski has extensive experience handling medical malpractice claims and advocating for injured patients throughout Montana.