When patients have unexpected and catastrophic outcomes after undergoing surgery, some of these bad outcomes can be linked to improper anesthesia care. Anesthesia errors can cause cardiac or respiratory arrest,  brain injury, paralysis, vision loss, and death. Bill Maddix, your Minnesota medical malpractice lawyer, has handled numerous anesthesia malpractice cases.

Examples of anesthesia malpractice include:

• Failure to adequately resuscitate patient before clearing for surgery

• Improper intubation leading to respiratory arrest and brain injury or death

• Inadequate anesthetic causing patient to be awake during surgery (anesthesia awareness)

• Medications errors causing unsafe drop in blood pressure or heart rate

• Inadequate replacement of blood lost during surgery 

• Inadequate replacement of platelets and other clotting factors lost during surgery

• Transfusion errors

• Surgical fires or burns

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the anesthesia provider's lack of vigilance is a contributing factor in 79% of malpractice claims. MacRae, Closed Claims Study in Anesthesia, AANA Journal, Aug. 2007, Vol. 75, No. 4, 267-75.

If you or a family member have suffered a catastrophic injury or loss due to medical malpractice, contact Bill Maddix, your Minnesota medical malpractice lawyer, for a free consultation.