When a family member has surgery, you trust the medical professionals to prioritize their safety. Anesthesia ensures a painless and secure surgical experience.
Errors in administering anesthesia can have fatal consequences. Understanding your legal options in the face of these devastating outcomes is important.
Anesthesia oversights
A study showed that 70% of anesthesia error incidents happened due to ineffective communication. Other anesthesia mistakes include:
- Dosage errors
- Failure to monitor vital signs
- Allergic reactions
- Equipment malfunctions
- Inadequate preoperative assessment
- Delayed response to complications
Errors in administering and monitoring anesthesia can put a patient’s life at risk. They can result in complications such as respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.
Wrongful death claim
You have the right to pursue compensation for the emotional and financial burdens inflicted by the loss of a family member. A wrongful death lawsuit can hold the medical team accountable and prevent similar incidents from happening again. You must file a medical malpractice case in New Mexico within three years of the negligent act.
During the legal process, you need to prove that the anesthesia mistake was a direct cause of your loved one’s death. Show how the anesthesiologist breached the expected duty of care. Establish that the injury was a result of negligence and demonstrate how that injury led to death.
Crucial evidence
You can gather proof of your wrongful death claim by getting copies of your loved one’s medical records before, during and after the procedure. Have medical experts review the records to assess the standard of care. Get witness statements or testimony from other health care professionals present during the surgery. In some cases, an autopsy can reveal anesthesia errors as well.
Mistakes with anesthesia can have irreversible consequences. It is important to seek justice for your family.
