Every surgery has inherent risks associated with it. While many patients are concerned about medical malpractice, any complications that result from surgery are not automatically caused by medical malpractice. It is necessary to prove that a medical provider was negligent in some way in order to successfully claim damages. It is entirely possible to claim medical malpractice for an anesthesia error.
While it is true that negligence and causation need to be explicitly shown, any significant anesthesia error points to likely negligence. This is because it is the duty of the anesthesiologist to administer the appropriate amount of anesthesia, and they do this through a series of precise calculations and observations.
What mistakes might lead to an anesthesia error?
The anesthesiologist and the surgeon need to have good communication in order to minimize risks. Mistakes can often occur when the anesthesiologist is given incorrect information.
In addition, if an anesthesiologist mistakes the identity of the patient or fails to read the patient’s medical paperwork, serious issues can arise. The patient’s chart will include important allergy information and health conditions. Disregarding this information can lead to administering medicine that causes a severe allergic reaction.
How can I prove that my medical provider was negligent?
You should be able to pinpoint the actions that your medical provider took or failed to take that were negligent. For example, suppose the anesthesiologist looked at the wrong papers. They likely failed to verify the patient’s identity, which could constitute negligence. You will also need to clearly link this negligent behavior with the causation of damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured by an anesthesia error in Michigan, it’s important to take action. Contact our Southfield medical malpractice attorneys at Lipton Law.