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Even a routine surgery can turn tragic if anesthesia is not handled properly. One mistake by the anesthesiologist or sedation team can leave a patient with devastating, long-term injuries or worse. If this happened to you or a loved one, don’t wait. Speak to a legal professional to explore your options and hold the responsible party accountable.
The aftermath of such a traumatic event cannot be erased, and yet, to cope with it, financial compensation makes the difference. At Gallardo Law Firm, you can contact one of our anesthesia error lawyers in Miami to evaluate the merit of your case and file a lawsuit that also allows you to defend your rights.
A study found that between 2007 and 2014, a total of 17,116 errors occurred in the United States related to drugs used for sensory blockade, resulting in 131 deaths. In addition to fatalities, the slightest error during the preparation, application, or recovery from anesthesia can cause irreversible brain damage, lack of oxygen, and coma.
In Florida, anesthesia errors, while no are as frequent as other medical malpractice cases, can have serious consequences. A study of office-based surgical procedures in Florida over 10 years revealed 309 adverse incidents, with 46 resulting in death and 263 leading to complications or hospital transfers. A separate report highlights that anesthesia errors can affect around 2,140 patients annually in Florida, with approximately 130 fatalities, although the number of deaths has decreased over time.
For example, if the dose is not properly calculated, a phenomenon known as intraoperative awareness may occur, in which the patient wakes up before the surgery is completed, experiencing pain, cardiac stress, and sudden movements.
Depending on the procedure and the patient's medical history, the anesthesiologist must select the most appropriate medication and follow a strict protocol to minimize complications. Anesthesia can be general when the goal is a total loss of consciousness, regional when a specific area of the body is blocked, or local if it is designed to reduce sensitivity in small areas such as the jaw or eyes.
Florida laws allow victims of preventable errors, including anesthesiologist mistakes, in the administration of anesthesia to seek financial compensation for their injuries. Some of the ways these costly errors can occur include:
When an anesthesia error occurs, multiple parties may be held responsible, including the anesthesiologist, the primary surgeon, the attending nurses, and the hospital where the procedure was performed. However, a mistake in this step of the intervention does not always constitute negligence since sometimes unforeseen factors that have no relation to the work of the specialists influence it.
To demonstrate that there was a foreseeable failure, having a lawyer with experience in these cases is essential. If our team represents you, we will help you gather solid evidence that proves the relationship between the negligence of the medical staff during the surgical procedure and the damages that you or your family member suffered due to an incorrect administration of anesthesia.
The hospital may also be liable if it employs these professionals. Even if the anesthesiologist is an independent contractor, the facility can still be found negligent for equipment failures, inadequate staff supervision, or improper hiring practices.
Errors in anesthesia administration can lead to serious consequences, including:
Any of these terrible outcomes also come with devastating emotional and financial effects, as victims struggle to cope with and adapt to the new limitations caused by their injuries.
Post-traumatic stress must also be taken into account. If the patient woke up in the middle of surgery and could see their body cut open, it is very likely that considerable psychological trauma will occur, which may require consultation with mental health experts.
Navigating a medical malpractice case is nearly impossible without experienced attorneys in this highly specialized and complex area of law. With so many factors at play, only a highly skilled professional can help you win and obtain the compensation you deserve, placing you in a better position to navigate the changes caused by your injuries.
At Gallardo, we will answer every question and keep you informed of every step, including the agreements we reach in conversations with insurance agencies or during litigation if the case reaches its resolution in court. Likewise, we can support you in communication and negotiations with the responsible parties and their lawyers.
We will stand by your side and fight for the compensation you deserve. At our firm, we are so committed to your defense that we will work on a contingency fee basis and will not collect a cent until we achieve victory.
The compensation you may be entitled to depends on the specific circumstances of your situation because even though there are standard parameters, no two cases are the same. In general, victims of an anesthesia error can recover damages for:
In the unfortunate event of a wrongful death following the incorrect administration of anesthetics, the compensation received may also cover funeral expenses, the loss of companionship or spiritual support, and the financial help that the deceased offered to their closest relatives.
A Head-On accident can change your life or your relatives forever and not for the better. These incidents stand out due to the severity of the injuries they cause, their impact on the psychological health of victims, and their ability to generate income. Fortunately, with the help of one of our lawyers, you can navigate the intricate waters of a legal process, which is necessary to restore at least the financial stability the crash also managed to weaken.
Pick up the phone and call us today at (305) 261-7000 to schedule a completely free consultation at any of our offices located close to you in Miami and Hialeah.