Anesthesia Medical Malpractice: Zero Room for Error
When an anesthesiologist is negligent in his/her care for a patient and that negligence causes permanent injury (including death) to the patient, that is anesthesia medical malpractice. Anesthesiologists are responsible for much of the “behind the scenes” work in the operating room and therefore must be skilled and vetted as much as your surgeon.
Anesthesiologists are responsible for intubating (installing a breathing tube through the mouth, down the trachea to the lungs) and monitoring vital signs during the procedure. Failure to properly intubate the patient or react to a change in the patient’s vital signs that causes lasting injury can be medical malpractice in the state of Connecticut.
Other areas where an anesthesiologist can be held liable are:
- Pre-operation prep
- Post-operative treatment
- Failure to notify the patient of dietary and medication restrictions before the surgery
- Operating with defective equipment
Anesthesiologists are responsible for a substantial portion of patient care during surgery, which is why their medical malpractice insurance is some of the highest in the healthcare field. If he or she is negligent in their duties, injuries can be catastrophic, including:
- Brain damage
- Collapsed lungs
- Stroke
- Death
If your loved one suffered a catastrophic injury during a surgery and you are questioning the level of care, contact Bob Messey, MD/JD and Gayle Sullivan, RN/JD immediately. They will draw upon their years of medical and legal experience to investigate your claim.