Portland Anesthesia Error Attorneys
Trust is a common part of the doctor-patient relationship. But, in some instances, that trust can be broken, which can lead to significant suffering and injuries for medical patients. At the Law Office of Robert Beatty-Walters, we serve injured patients in the Portland community, including Multnomah County and those in Washington experiencing anesthesia complications.
Alongside our founder, Robert Beatty-Walters, who has more than 30 years of experience as a lawyer and over 40 years of experience as a registered nurse, our attorneys have effectively defended patients since we opened our doors in 2008. Together, our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience, and we are ready to take action whenever our services are required.
What Mistakes Can Occur During Anesthesia?
The administration of anesthesia is a safe procedure that countless patients receive on a daily basis. However, even the most routine medical procedures can result in devastating consequences for patients. One of the most common errors relating to anesthesia is when a doctor administers the incorrect dosage, which may lead to the patient suffering brain damage, being placed in a coma or passing away.
Doctors may also use the wrong drug when attempting to anesthetize a patient, which can lead to hazardous side effects. If the doctor fails to review the patient’s medical history for active prescriptions and allergies, they may also give the patient a drug that interacts with other medications they currently take or leads to an allergic reaction, including anaphylactic shock.
Doctors can additionally forget to regularly monitor the patient’s vital signs, which can result in cardiovascular or respiratory issues. Equipment malfunctions and a lack of communication between the anesthesiologist and other medical staff can additionally lead to avoidable errors that can compromise a patient’s health.
How Can Patients Identify Symptoms Of Anesthesia Errors?
Even though anesthesia errors are relatively uncommon, patients should still be aware of the common symptoms in order to protect themselves from the potentially fatal effects. Patients should be on the lookout for these symptoms when receiving anesthesia:
- Unexpected awareness during surgery
- Prolonged recovery
- Respiratory issues
- Cardiovascular problems
- Nerve damage
- Allergic reactions
Patients who experience any of these symptoms during or after a medical procedure may be at risk of developing long-term complications due to an anesthesia error. In this situation, searching for experienced legal counsel should be a patient’s priority.
What Legal Options Do Patients Have After An Anesthesia Error?
After experiencing the damage that often results from an anesthesia mistake, injured patients need to understand the legal options they possess. Typically, filing a lawsuit against the negligent anesthesiologist, or another party if they were deemed at fault, is the best option for victims. An accomplished medical malpractice lawyer can review the facts of the case to identify the party responsible for the mistake and assemble the available evidence to increase a patient’s ability to obtain compensation.
What Compensation Can Be Expected From An Anesthesia Error Lawsuit?
Medical patients who are suffering from the damages caused by an anesthesia error and a medical professional’s negligence may potentially have the ability to seek legal recompense. In relation to the patient’s economic losses, they can take legal action to obtain compensation for their medical expenses and lost wages.
A patient’s noneconomic losses can be more difficult to calculate; however, anesthesia error victims can secure compensation for their physical pain, emotional distress and psychological trauma.
Advocating For Victims Of Anesthesia Errors In Oregon And Washington
Mistakes need to be amended. When our clients have been impacted by the carelessness of a medical worker, we will fight until a resolution is reached to ensure they are made whole again. Email our office or call us at 503-688-9915 to learn how we handle medical malpractice and anesthesia error cases.