New York City Anesthesia Error Attorney

Anesthesia Malpractice Attorney in NYC

In both routine and complex procedures, medical professionals will often use anesthesia to prevent pain during surgery. Typically, anesthesia is administered for the duration of the surgery. It normally wears off soon after. Since anesthesia is an incredibly powerful drug, it can have serious implications, even fatal results if administered improperly. If you or a loved has been the victim of an anesthesia error in New York City, it is essential that you speak with an attorney. The experienced attorneys at Mark L. Bodner, P.C. can determine if negligence was a factor in your illness or injury. Our firm is ready to take on your case and recover damages to aid in the costs related to the error. Contact our firm to discuss your situation and see if you have a valid case. Our consultations are free and come with no obligation.

An anesthesiologist’s obligation to the patient

An anesthesiologist has the same obligation to the patient as any other doctor, nurse, or health care facility. He or she must meet the medical standard of care. This does not mean perfection in practice, but the standard established by competent peers in the same field.

An anesthesiologist must be very careful and monitor the patient to make sure there are no signs of complications. An anesthesiologist should regularly monitor a patient’s blood pressure, heartbeat, and oxygen levels to confirm that the anesthesia is not having an adverse effect. However, an anesthesiologist can make a life-threatening mistake in an instant if he or she administers the wrong amount of anesthesia or fails to conduct regular monitoring.

Types Of Anesthesia & Associated Risks

An anesthesiologist should use a patient’s medical history, as well as their height and weight to determine the right dosage and which type of anesthesia is appropriate for the patient and the surgery. There are three different categories of anesthesia, including:

  • Local anesthesia: Local anesthesia is limited to the area that is undergoing surgery. It is often used in minor procedures and can be administered via injection to the site of surgery.
  • Regional anesthesia: Regional anesthesia is administered to numb a certain part of the body, whether for surgery or otherwise. There are two forms of regional anesthesia, epidural and spinal, each with its own function to numb an area. Some procedures that use regional anesthetic include childbirth, c-sections, and some orthopedic procedures.
  • General anesthesia: General anesthesia is used to put a person to sleep during surgery. This type causes a patient to lose consciousness for the duration of the surgery. This is usually saved for the most invasive, complicated surgeries.
  • Conscious sedation: Medication that relaxes the patient and makes them less aware of the procedure.

Unfortunately, issues with anesthesia can result in grave complications. In the most severe cases, anesthesia errors can be fatal. Some other complications may include:

  • Brain damage
  • Stroke
  • Allergic reactions
  • Heart attacks

These situations can occur because of numerous, potentially negligent actions, including, but not limited to:

  • Poor communication among medical teams
  • Improper dosage
  • Improper monitoring
  • Failure to assess a patient’s health and medical history
  • Mixing up patients’ charts

Contact An Experienced Anesthesia Errors Attorney

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an anesthesia error, the result can be devastating.  After an anesthesia error, it is important to determine who should be held accountable. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can assess your case and effectively represent your needs. If you need strong legal representation for a medical malpractice case, contact Mark L. Bodner, P.C. today.

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