When undergoing surgery or medical procedures, patients place their trust in a carefully coordinated team of healthcare professionals, especially anesthesiologists. The proper administration of anesthesia is critical to ensure patient comfort, safety, and survival. But when mistakes are made during the administration of anesthesia, the results can be devastating, leading to serious injury, permanent disability, or even death.
If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to an anesthesia error, you may be entitled to compensation. At McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, our experienced medical malpractice attorneys help South Carolinians hold negligent medical providers accountable when avoidable anesthesia mistakes occur. We have the knowledge and resources to pursue justice for victims and their families.
What Are Anesthesia Errors?
Anesthesia errors occur when anesthesiologists, nurses, or other medical professionals fail to follow proper protocols in the administration or monitoring of anesthetic drugs. These drugs affect the body’s central nervous system and are used to induce unconsciousness, eliminate pain, or sedate patients before and during procedures.
Errors can happen at various stages, including:
- Preoperative Evaluation: Failing to assess the patient’s medical history, allergies, or medications
- Dosage Errors: Administering too much or too little anesthesia
- Delayed Administration: Failing to deliver anesthesia at the right time
- Equipment Failure: Malfunctioning or improperly calibrated machines
- Monitoring Errors: Not properly observing a patient’s vitals during surgery
- Post-Anesthesia Complications: Failing to recognize and treat adverse reactions
Types of Anesthesia
There are several types of anesthesia, each with its own risks:
- General Anesthesia: Renders the patient unconscious and is used for major surgeries. Errors here can lead to coma, brain damage, or death.
- Regional Anesthesia: Numbs a specific region of the body (e.g., spinal or epidural anesthesia). Mistakes can result in paralysis or nerve damage.
- Local Anesthesia: Numbs a small area for minor procedures. Although less risky, complications still occur if not properly administered.
- Sedation (Monitored Anesthesia Care): Often used for outpatient procedures. Over-sedation or poor monitoring can result in respiratory failure.
Common Consequences of Anesthesia Mistakes
Anesthesia errors can cause a wide range of serious outcomes, including:
- Brain damage due to oxygen deprivation (anoxic injury)
- Heart attacks or strokes
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Paralysis or nerve injury
- Seizures
- Awareness during surgery (anesthesia awareness)
- Coma or wrongful death
Even if the physical injury is temporary, many victims experience emotional trauma, PTSD, or lifelong anxiety related to medical treatment.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Depending on the circumstances, one or more parties may be responsible for an anesthesia error:
- Anesthesiologists who fail to follow accepted standards
- Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) who improperly administer medications
- Surgeons who fail to communicate or coordinate effectively
- Hospitals or surgical centers for inadequate staffing, training, or equipment
At McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, we conduct thorough investigations to identify the source of the error and hold all responsible parties accountable.
Legal Requirements for a Malpractice Claim
To successfully pursue a medical malpractice claim in South Carolina, your attorney must prove:
- A provider-patient relationship existed.
- The provider breached the accepted medical standard of care.
- The breach caused injury to the patient.
- The patient suffered damages as a result.
We work closely with medical experts who can testify about how the error occurred and how it deviated from accepted practices in anesthesiology.
Recoverable Damages
If you’ve been injured due to an anesthesia error, you may be entitled to recover:
Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and reduced earning potential
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
In the event of a wrongful death, the victim’s family may also be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the financial support the deceased would have provided.
Why Choose McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates In South Carolina?
At McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that anesthesia errors can take on patients and their families. Our team has decades of experience handling complex medical malpractice cases, and we fight to ensure our clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
When you work with us, you get:
- AÂ free, no-obligation consultation
- Access to qualified medical experts
- Representation from attorneys who understand both the legal and medical sides of your case
- No fees unless we win your case
We have seven convenient office locations across South Carolina and are proud to serve clients throughout the state.
Contact Us Today
If you or someone you love was injured due to an anesthesia error, don’t wait to get legal help. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can begin gathering evidence and building a strong case on your behalf.
Call McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates today. It won’t cost you anything to see if we can help.
