DC Anesthesia Error Lawyer

Washington D.C. Anesthesia Errors Attorneys

It only takes a moment for an anesthesia mistake to occur, but the consequences of that mistake can last a lifetime – or end a life. Victims of anesthesia mistakes may suffer from long-term brain damage, PTSD, heart attack, and other serious conditions.

Were you recently harmed by an anesthesia error? You might be able to recover financial compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering, and other expenses.

At Bertram & Murphy, we’ve helped victims of anesthesia mistakes obtain significant settlements against negligent doctors. Compensation can help you move on with your life. You can focus on your recovery without the weight of financial strain.

To learn more about how an anesthesia errors lawyer in D.C. can help you, contact us today for a free consultation.

Ways Our D.C. Medical Malpractice Lawyers Help People Harmed by Anesthesia Errors

Bertram & Murphy is led by Catherine D. Bertram. She is an attorney who has advocated for victims of medical negligence for over 25 years. Previously, she served as Director of Risk Management at Georgetown University Hospital.

While in this position, Bertram gained valuable insight into the issues surrounding patient safety. She also learned how medical negligence can be avoided. Bertram uses her insight and legal knowledge to build the strongest case possible in medical malpractice claims. She vigorously fights for her clients’ legal rights.

When you choose our firm to handle your anesthesia errors lawsuit, you can expect:

• A case review for free by our legal and medical team
• Our aggressive and creative legal strategies have resulted in millions in recovery for medical malpractice victims and their families
• Access to top medical, nursing and hospital experts to review your case and potentially testify on your behalf

Types of Anesthesia Errors That Commonly Occur in Washington, D.C.

Anesthesia mistakes are typically caused by human error, such as incorrect intubation or incorrect dosage. Other common anesthesia errors we see include:

• Inadequate communication within the surgical team, leading to serious and sometimes deadly mistakes
• Incorrect dosage of anesthesia (either too much or not enough of the various anesthesia drugs)
• Improper oxygen administration either during the surgery or after the surgery
• Faulty anesthesia equipment, which causes incorrect data about a patient’s key vital signs or results in a delay in the administration of anesthesia or too large of a dose of anesthesia, which can also be deadly

Do you believe you or your loved one was harmed or died as a result of an anesthesia mistake? You have the right to file a lawsuit to try to obtain compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence. This is important not only for you but also to keep other patients in our community safe.

Take a step today toward justice. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how our anesthesia error lawyer in Washington, D.C., can help.

Who Could Be Liable for Harm Due to an Anesthesia Error?

Multiple parties – and not just the anesthesiologist – may have been negligent for your anesthesia error. When determining fault, several factors should be considered, including these examples:

• Did the anesthesiologist fail to meet the standard of care? If so, did this cause harm to the patient?
• Did another member of the surgical team, such as another doctor or a nurse, act negligently?
• Was the hospital negligent in enforcing rules and procedures to ensure patient safety in the operating room and the recovery room?
• Was the anesthesia mistake caused by faulty equipment?

Potential defendants in anesthesia error lawsuits may include:

• The anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist and/or other doctors on the surgery team
• The hospital
• Other healthcare professionals who assisted with the procedure or in the recovery room
• The manufacturer of faulty anesthesia equipment or the hospital engineers who failed to check the equipment

During your case review, your attorney, with the help of medical experts, can identify whether the care you received was below the national standard of care and who was most likely liable for your injuries.

Examples of Injuries Due to Negligent Medical Mistakes Involving Anesthesia

Victims of anesthesia mistakes can be harmed in a number of ways. The most common injuries we see include:

• Brain Damage or Death – Medication errors during surgery or in the recovery room after surgery are a common type of anesthesia error we see. These medication errors can cause a patient to have a cardiac arrest (heart attack) that can result in lack of blood flow to the brain causing permanent brain damage or death.
• Brain Damage or Coma – Brain damage is one of the most serious injuries related to an anesthesia error. Brain damage is typically caused by hypoxia, or lack of sufficient oxygen. During surgery, patients sometimes vomit, then accidentally inhale the vomit into their lungs. This can decrease or prevent the flow of oxygen to the patient’s brain, and oxygen in the patient’s blood and brain, resulting in brain damage. Patients should be adequately monitored and safety steps should be taken to prevent this tragic preventable harm.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Three different drugs are usually administered to fully anesthetize a patient. One induces sleep, and the second one is a painkiller. The last one is a paralytic, which ensures the patient doesn’t move during surgery. However, patients who receive an improper dosage might wake up during surgery while being unable to move. Patients might also be able to feel pain. This terrifying experience can cause lasting psychological effects and require long-term therapy.
• Tracheal Damage – During the intubation process, the doctor inserts a tube down the patient’s throat. The tube assists with breathing. Improper intubation can cause physical trauma, including damage to the trachea and vocal cords.

Calculating Compensation for Anesthesia Error Victims

You might be wondering how much compensation you or the family of a patient who died is entitled to after anesthesia negligence. The amount of compensation depends on the extent of your injuries and many other factors that are outlined in the law.

During settlement negotiations or at trial, these are some of the factors that may be considered:

• The cost of your medical care related to the anesthesia error
• The cost of future medical care
• Whether your medical condition will require home health care, rehabilitation, assistive medical devices, or other costly services throughout your lifetime due to the anesthesia error
• Whether you had lost income or had to stop working entirely

Victims of anesthesia errors can also be compensated for non-financial losses, such as pain and suffering. A spouse may also be entitled to compensation for losses to the marriage, commonly called loss of consortium, especially if the anesthesia error was fatal.

Discuss Your Anesthesia Errors Claim with an Experienced D.C. Attorney

If you or a loved one was harmed due to an anesthesia error, you have the right to file a claim to hold responsible parties accountable. You have a limited time to file this type of case to protect your rights.

Take the right step to protect your rights today by scheduling a consultation with Bertram & Murphy. We will review your case without any charge to you. We can answer your questions and explain your potential options.

Contact us today by phone or online to speak with a dedicated member of our team.