Types of Anesthesiology Mistakes Common in Washington State.

Anesthesiology is generally considered to be risky, due to the many errors that can be made during the administration of anesthesia. An instance in which any of the following types of errors are made can potentially lead to brain injury, paralysis, and even death. Some of the most commonly reported anesthesiology mistakes across Washington State include:

Overdose or Underdose

An overdose of anesthesia is a dangerous error that can lead to fatal consequences. When a patient is given higher doses of anesthesia than are appropriate, he or she can enter a coma state, sustain brain damage, experience organ failure, or die. If a patient is given an insufficient amount of anesthesia, the patient may wake up in the middle of the surgical procedure, and worse yet, be incapacitated to the point where he or she can not alert the doctors of the situation.

Allergic Reactions to Anesthesia

It is the responsibility of the anesthesiologist to ensure that the patient will not have an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the anesthetic drugs. As many people have severe and even life-threatening allergies to chemicals found in common drugs, it is crucial that anesthesiologists make no mistakes in selecting the type of chemicals that are administered.

Reactions with Other Drugs

Sometimes, anesthesiologists fail to check all of the medications that a patient is taking before administering anesthesia. Certain anesthetics can become harmful and even fatal if they are administered in combination with other drugs.

Failure to Monitor the Patient

When a patient is administered anesthesia, the anesthesiologist must keep a watchful eye on the patient’s vital signs in the event that complications arise. When the patient’s status is ignored or overlooked, resulting injuries or complications may escalate to the point of serious injury or death.

Failure to Properly Inform the Patient of Pre-operative Requirements

Doctors are obligated to tell their patients that the stomach must be empty of food and water within 24 hours of surgery in order to minimize the potential for complications. If a patient is not notified of this critical requirement, the doctor can be held liable for any resulting injuries.

The team of medical negligence lawyers at our Seattle and Tacoma, Washington-area offices can help you build a medical malpractice case if you have been injured or a loved one has been killed due to anesthesiology mistakes. Under the law, you are entitled to compensation for any physical and emotional damages caused by the negligence of medical professionals.

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Injuries Caused by Anesthesiology related Medical Malpractice

Injuries that occur as a result of mistakes made during the administration of anesthesia can range from subtle to fatal. Some of the most common anesthesia-related injuries include:

• Birth injury
• Brain injury
• Paralysis
• Coma
• Nerve damage
• Pressure sores
• Blindness
• Organ failure
• Pneumonia
• Death

If a loved one has passed away as a result of the negligent actions of an anesthesiologist or an anesthesiologist assistant, you may be able to file a wrongful death suit to obtain compensation. The medical negligence lawyers of Phillips Law Firm have offices in and around Seattle and Tacoma, Washington and can assist you in pursuing justice for the harmful actions of medical professionals.

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Contact Medical Malpractice Lawyers Serving Seattle and Tacoma, Washington

Injuries that are caused by anesthesiology mistakes can be avoided if caution and vigilance are exercised. When these mistakes do occur, we believe that you are entitled to compensation for any damages sustained. Our medical malpractice lawyers serve clients from Tacoma , Seattle, and throughout Washington, and will actively and diligently pursue your rights and entitlements. Our attorneys are well-versed in every aspect of medical negligence and can advise you on thestatute of limitations governing medical malpractice lawsuits filed in Washington.