Anesthesia Injuries

Anesthesia has become significantly safer over the past 80 years and is viewed today as generally safe. However, the use of anesthesia still comes with risks, particularly the use of general anesthesia on patients with an increased risk of complications.

Anesthesia is only safe when it’s used and monitored properly. Many anesthesia injuries are caused by errors made by anesthesiologists, hospitals, and doctors. These injuries are sometimes minor, but they can also be life-changing.

If you or someone you love has suffered an anesthesia injury after a medical procedure in Dallas, TX, you may have a claim for damages. Here is what you should know about anesthesia injuries and your right to compensation.

What Is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is used to perform medical procedures on patients while blocking pain sensations. Most types of anesthesia are administered by anesthesiologists. The type and dosage are tailored to the patient and the procedure.

Anesthesia works by temporarily interrupting the body's ability to perceive pain. Depending on the drugs used, anesthesia can also cause sedation. A nerve block works by blocking nerve signals at a specific location from reaching the brain. Anesthesia can also work by suppressing the central nervous system and inducing unconsciousness.

Types of Anesthesia

There are three types of anesthesia that may be used during a medical procedure.

Local Anesthesia

This type of anesthesia blocks only nerve sensations. You remain awake and retain motor control of the area that’s anesthetized. The best-known example of a local anesthetic is Novocaine (procaine), which is used during dental procedures.

Regional Anesthesia

This type of anesthesia blocks all sensations from an area of the body without sedating you. It involves administering the anesthetic to a nerve root that carries nerve signals to and from a specific region of the body.

A peripheral nerve block may be used for procedures on limbs or joints during orthopedic surgery, for example. The most common use is an epidural block used to block nerve signals from the lower body during childbirth.

General Anesthesia

A general anesthetic combines a sedative with a nerve-blocking agent. This causes temporary paralysis and sedation while blocking pain signals.

General anesthesia is used for procedures that are:

• Invasive
• Painful
• Time-consuming
• Require you to remain very still

General anesthesia requires that your vital signs be monitored carefully by the anesthesiologist. You must be sedated enough to not wake up before the procedure is over, but not over-sedated. Your heart rate and oxygen rate must be monitored during the procedure. Appropriate action must be taken if there are any signs of complications.

Types of Anesthesia Injuries

While anesthesia is generally considered safe, it can cause complications. These may range from minor to serious injuries.

Potential complications or injuries from anesthesia may include:

• Respiratory complications like aspiration pneumonia if stomach contents enter the lungs
• Cardiovascular complications like arrhythmias or cardiac arrest
• Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
• Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) or cognitive decline and memory loss after anesthesia is most common in older patients.
• Spinal headaches can be caused by puncture of the dura, which allows cerebrospinal fluid to leak out
• Hematoma and infection at the surgical site
• Systemic toxicity, which is a potentially life-threatening condition, happens when local or regional anesthetic enters the bloodstream.
• Nerve damage can be caused by improper drug administration or monitoring, causing hypoxic injury
• Anoxic brain injuries can be caused by improper monitoring or administering the wrong dosage. These injuries occur when the brain is deprived of oxygen, causing permanent brain damage.
• Overdose can lead to anoxic injuries, respiratory distress, and wrongful death
• Underdose can allow you to remain conscious during your procedure and can lead to severe mental trauma and pain

Physical injuries to the mouth, throat, or teeth while receiving general anesthesia. This is one of the most common types of anesthesia injuries. It happens when you are intubated to assist with breathing. About half of patients undergoing general anesthesia experience these injuries.

What Causes Anesthesia Injuries?

Anesthesia-related injuries can be caused by many factors. Sometimes, injuries are unavoidable. For example, very young or elderly patients are at an increased risk of adverse events. Obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions can also increase the risk of complications.

Anesthesia injuries can even be caused by defective or dangerous drugs.

Unfortunately, sometimes, anesthesia injuries are caused by mistakes made by anesthesiologists or other medical providers.

These medical errors may be caused by:

• Incorrect dosage of anesthetic agents
• Improper monitoring of the patient’s vital signs
• Intubation errors
• Failure to take a complete patient history
• Poor communication among medical team members
• Failure to recognize and treat complications

Miscommunication is a factor in 30% of medical malpractice claims. One study found poor communication is the primary cause of more than half of all serious adverse effects in accredited hospitals.

However, not all adverse effects of anesthesia rise to the level of medical malpractice, even if they are the result of a medical error.

What Is My Anesthesia Injury Case Worth?

Every personal injury case is unique. To estimate what your case may be worth, a personal injury attorney will consider the unique circumstances of your case, how your injury happened, and the severity of your injury.

Cases involving serious or catastrophic injuries often require expert testimony from economic and medical specialists. Our attorneys collaborate with experts to estimate the cost of any future medical needs and the impact of your injury on your earning capacity.

Contact our law office today to discuss your case. We will help you understand what you may be entitled to recover and the many factors that may affect your claim.

What Compensation Can I Recover For My Anesthesia Injury In Dallas, Texas?

Personal injury victims in Texas are entitled to recover compensatory damages from the parties at fault for their injury. These damages include economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover financial losses or losses you suffered with a monetary value. Non-economic damages cover your losses with no intrinsic financial value.

Damages you may recover include:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost earnings
• Diminished earning capacity if you are left disabled
• Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
• Physical pain
• Mental and emotional suffering and anguish
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Reduced quality of life

An experienced personal injury lawyer can assess the value of your anesthesia injury claim.

How Long Do I Have To File An Anesthesia Injury Lawsuit In Texas?

If your anesthesia injury was caused by medical malpractice, you generally have a two-year deadline to file a lawsuit. This statute of limitations begins from the date of the error or when you discovered (or should have discovered) the malpractice. The statute of repose means your case must be filed within 10 years of the date of the malpractice, no matter when it was discovered.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Have you suffered a serious anesthesia injury after receiving treatment in the Dallas area? Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC is here to help you. We will help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you need from the negligent parties. Call our law office today for a free consultation with a Dallas personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.