Anesthesia Error Attorneys in Las Vegas — Legal Help for Anesthesia Malpractice Claims

What Is an Anesthesia Error?

An anesthesia error is a preventable mistake that occurs during the administration of general, regional, or local anesthesia. The error can happen before, during, or after a surgical procedure. 

Anesthesia errors can occur because of negligence on the part of the anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetists, and other members of the care team. Unfortunately, these kinds of errors are not uncommon. 

In the United States, there are 20,000 to 40,000 cases every year of wakefulness under anesthesia. Anesthesia itself is also responsible for the death of one in every 200,000 patients who receive it. 

Throughout the country, anesthesiologists have a rate of paid claims of 11.7 per 1,000 physicians-years (annually). Over 10% of these claims reach over $1 million. 

Common Types and Causes of Anesthesia Errors

People who fight for anesthesia injury compensation in Las Vegas can experience issues such as:

• Dosage errors
• Intubation mistakes
• Failure to monitor vital signs
• Improper airway management 
• Incorrect drug administration
• Equipment malfunction
• Failure to review medical records

Informed consent anesthesia errors in Nevada are also an issue. This occurs when a provider fails to explain the risks associated with the procedure or doesn’t let a patient know that there could be an alternative. 

Anesthesia errors can come down to inadequate training or communication issues. If care team members don’t communicate effectively or don’t write down important information regarding the patient, all manner of mistakes could occur. 

Healthcare providers are also often overworked, so fatigue and multitasking can combine and lead to life-changing consequences. Even the equipment could malfunction.

Consequences and Serious Injuries From Anesthesia Mistakes

Anesthesia errors can have significant consequences. Some of the most serious involve brain damage. If the brain is deprived of oxygen for too long, irreversible injuries can occur. This type of harm can result in lifelong disabling conditions, coma, or death. 

Cardiac and respiratory arrest are also potential complications that could lead to an anesthesia error lawsuit in Las Vegas. If the anesthesiologist doesn’t monitor your vital signs, you could aspirate and suffer these serious issues. 

Errors in administering regional anesthesia could result in spinal cord damage, nerve damage, and even paralysis. There are numerous other types of less serious injuries, too, that can still leave you with medical expenses and losses. These range from aspiration pneumonia to allergic reactions and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Proving Medical Malpractice in Nevada Anesthesia Cases 

When filing an anesthesia malpractice claim in Nevada, you will need to prove that a duty of care existed between you and the provider, and that they breached that responsibility by offering substandard care. 

You will then have to establish causation, meaning that their conduct led directly to your injuries and that you can recover damages. 

These cases require a significant amount of evidence, including:

• Medical records
• Incident reports
• Surgical documentation
• Vital sign logs
• Anesthesia logs

Expert witnesses are also essential in these claims. Nevada’s medical malpractice laws require that you present an affidavit of merit when you file to ensure your legal action is valid. 

Filing an Anesthesia Error Lawsuit in Las Vegas: The Legal Process 

If you’re filing for medical malpractice anesthesia in Las Vegas, the first thing to do after learning of the injury is to get immediate medical care. Start keeping a record of your symptoms. 

Because of Nevada’s statute of limitations for these cases, which is generally three years from the injury date or one year from when you discover the injury, hire an attorney as quickly as possible. 

The next step will be an investigation and consultations with expert witnesses to establish that malpractice occurred. Your lawyer will then file the demand letter, leading to negotiations with insurers. 

When considering hospital vs. individual liability, it will be essential to establish that the defendant was an employee of the hospital to hold the facility responsible, too. 

The goal is to reach a settlement. If that’s not possible, your Las Vegas anesthesia malpractice lawyer can take the case to court. Throughout this entire process, you don’t have fees to pay unless you receive compensation. 

Typical Compensation in Anesthesia Malpractice Claims

Your anesthesia mistakes legal rights in Nevada allow you to receive damages to address medical expenses (including future needs), lost wages, as well as compensation for loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and losses you sustained because of the death of a loved one. 

The severity of the injury will play a significant role in the damages you receive. Additionally, Nevada has a cap on non-economic damages (currently $350,000), but there are no caps on economic damages. 

Why Choose Adam S. Kutner for Medical Malpractice Anesthesia Cases? 

Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, is a Las Vegas anesthesia negligence law firm with attorneys who offer more than 34 years of experience. We have access to some of the most trusted expert witnesses in the medical community, and we provide the personalized and compassionate support you need. 

With our team by your side, you have dependable and tenacious anesthesia error legal help in Las Vegas.

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