Chicago Anesthesiology Injury Lawyers

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Assisting With Anesthesia Errors in Chicago, IL

Many medical procedures are inherently risky, but doctors have developed practices meant to minimize potential harm when a patient receives treatment. Unfortunately, one area that often causes concern is anesthesia, which is used to prevent a patient from feeling pain during a procedure. Mistakes made by an anesthesiologist can cause serious injuries to patients, and they may even result in death. Patients and their families should take steps to understand their legal options when an anesthesiology error causes them harm.

The medical malpractice lawyers of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, LLC are dedicated to protecting the rights of those who have been injured by the negligence of doctors, surgeons, anesthesiologists, or other medical personnel. We work to help victims achieve justice and receive fair compensation that will help them recover from their injuries.

Potential Complications When Using Different Types of Anesthesia

Anesthesiologists must take a variety of considerations into account when administering medication to a patient, and they must closely monitor the patient's condition and respond quickly to any changes which may cause anesthesia to have a negative effect. A patient may be seriously harmed if the wrong dosage of anesthesia is used, if there are interactions with other medications, if the patient's medical history or allergies were not properly considered, if a patient was not properly informed of the steps to take prior to a procedure, or if equipment malfunctions during the procedure.

There are three types of anesthesia, each with their own risks and possible complications that can harm a patient:

• Local anesthesia - This type of anesthesia is used to numb the pain felt in a certain part of the body while a procedure is being performed. These procedures are generally safe, but when larger doses of anesthesia are used, system toxicity may occur, affecting a patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.
• Regional anesthesia - This type of anesthesia is typically used to block parts of the body from feeling pain. For example, an epidural administered to the spinal cord can numb the lower half of the body during labor and delivery, or an anesthetic may be used to numb an arm or leg. Regional anesthesia has the risk of system toxicity if the dosage is too high, and when administered incorrectly, it can lead to nerve damage, pulmonary issues, or infections.
• General anesthesia - For major surgical procedures, patients are typically put to sleep, but this type of anesthesia can be risky. General anesthetics affect the functions of the throat, and intubation is often required to avoid gagging and ensure that the patient continues breathing. Improper intubation can result in choking, lack of oxygen, or damage to the mouth, throat, and respiratory tract. General anesthesia can also cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure or heart rate.

Contact a Cook County Anesthesiologist Negligence Attorney

Anesthesiology errors can have serious consequences for a patient, causing damage to the brain, heart, or other major organs and leading to coma, paralysis, strokes, seizures, disability, or death. At TKK, we understand the effects these types of injuries can have on a family, and we work to ensure that victims receive financial compensation that addresses their needs, including the costs of ongoing medical care, the loss of income caused by disability, and the pain and suffering they have experienced. To learn more about how we can help you recover damages from negligent doctors or medical staff, contact our Chicago law office at 312-605-8800 to arrange a free consultation.