Anaesthetic Errors and Anaesthesia Negligence Claims for Compensation

If you believe you or a loved one has suffered harm or been injured as a result of the neglectful administration of an anaesthetic during a medical procedure, then you may be entitled to pursue a claim for injury compensation.

Surgical procedures often require some form of anaesthetic to ensure the patient feels no pain. This can either be a local anaesthetic (where the patient is awake during the procedure) or a general anaesthetic (where the patient is put to sleep).

Thankfully most medical procedures run smoothly and there are no complications. However, in some cases, patients can suffer injury as a result of negligence on the part of the treating Anaesthetist(s). The administration of anaesthetic is a highly complex procedure which poses risk for the patient if not done correctly.

As experienced and highly regarded medical negligence solicitors in Manchester, we fully understand and appreciate the lasting trauma that can result from Anaesthetic Negligence and the range of physical and mental consequences that can result from problems surrounding Anaesthetics being administered.

Errors in anaesthetic administration can be devastating. The consequences can be lifelong or even fatal. Securing compensation can, therefore, prove vital for the injured patient and/or close family members in dealing with any associated financial loss.

If you are seeking advice to establish whether you have grounds to pursue a claim for compensation related to an anaesthesia error, speak to one of our team today. We offer a free initial consultation and will be able to advise with a high degree of certainty whether you are entitled to pursue a claim for financial compensation.

Problems that can result in Anaesthesia errors

Anaesthetists are highly trained professionals who play a crucial role in the success of any surgery. Being anaesthetised is often the most dangerous part of any surgery for the patient. As such it is imperative that the anaesthetist employs proper care and attention to the task. Some common errors which can occur are:

• Incorrect dosage administered – too much or too little
• Failure to detect complications during anaesthesia
• Administering anaesthetic to a patient who is allergic
• Incorrect monitoring during anaesthesia i.e. blood pressure

Any of these errors can result in serious and sometimes fatal consequences for the patient. Common examples of consequences suffered by patients are:

• Pain: as a result of too little anaesthetic being administered or the effects of the drug wearing off too soon the patient feel pain during surgery
• Anaesthetic awareness: this is extremely rare but very serious. It renders the patient paralysed but conscious during surgery. The psychological impact of such an experience can be devastating.
• Temporary or permanent paralysis: as a result of nerve or spinal damage during the administration of drugs.
• Brain damage: as a result of a failure to detect a lack of oxygen to the brain during surgery or a failure to clarify an existing respiratory issue prior to administration of the anaesthesia
• Death: although very rare a wrongly administered dose of anaesthesia can result in the patient falling into a coma and in the worst-case such an error can result in death

Types of Anaesthetic

The type of surgery required determines the type of anaesthetic administered. There are a number of different types, each of which poses different risks for the patient. In general, the purpose of anaesthetic is to block the signals to the brain that result in pain, so, in other words, it is intended to stop the patient feeling any pain during the surgical procedure.

General Anaesthetic

Normally administered via a liquid injected intravenously, or a gas which is inhaled. Patients under general anaesthetic are unconscious and therefore feel no pain. This type of anaesthetic is used for serious operations or procedures which would otherwise be too painful to bear.

Local Anaesthetic

Administered to a specific area of the body to numb any sensation and block any pain. The patient stays awake during the procedure. There are different types of local anaesthetic which are:

• Regional Anaesthetic: used to numb a large area of the body, such as an entire limb. Normally injected into a specific nerve.
• Spinal anaesthetic: also known as a spinal block is used to numb the lower half of the body. It is administered by injecting a liquid into the subarachnoid space near the spinal cord and results in both a loss of sensation, including pain and a loss of muscle control.
• Epidural Anaesthetic: also used to numb the lower half of the body, but without the loss of muscle control. It is administered by placing a small plastic tube, called a catheter into your lower back, which is then used to deliver numbing agents into the epidural space around the spinal cord.

Problems that can occur as a result of Anaesthetic errors

General Anaesthetic errors

• Anaesthetic awareness:  retention or recovery of consciousness resulting in the patient being able to feel pain or being awake during surgery.
• Permanent nerve damage: this can result in long-term tingling, numbness or even paralysis
• Anaphylactic shock: an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic resulting in a life-threatening medical emergency.
• Death: according to NHS statistics the risk of death is roughly 1 in 100,000 so it is a very rare occurrence.

Local Anaesthetic errors

Some problems that can occur during a local anaesthetic procedure include:

• Tingling or numbness of the tongue
• Dizziness
• Blurry vision
• Muscle twitching

Whilst not immediately serious these symptoms should not be ignored as they can point to the risk of more serious complications such as heart attack and / or seizures.

Time limits on making a Medical Negligence Claim

If you are considering making a claim for Medical Negligence compensation you should be aware that all claims must be made within the correct deadline. The deadline is 3 years from the date the incident occurred (although a longer period can be considered by the Courts where the mental capacity of the victim is questioned). This means that court proceedings must commence within 3 years. Call to speak with one of our Medical Negligence team if you need further advice on this.

Why choose SDS Solicitors for making an Anaesthetic Negligence Claim?

Established in Manchester in 1997, Sheldon Davidson has become one of the leading specialist Personal Injury & Medical Negligence claim Law Firms in Greater Manchester.

Having gained vast experience and enjoyed much success acting for victims of non-fault incidents we feel confident to be able to provide you with sound legal advice pursuant to your specific circumstances. We specialise in no win, no fee injury claims, which means if you don’t win, you won’t have to pay anything.

We have acted for many clients who have suffered errors during anaesthesia and who have gone on to make a claim for medical negligence. Our track record of success speaks for itself. In the first place, we will seek to validate whether you actually have grounds to pursue a claim for financial compensation. Secondly, if you should select Sheldon Davidson to represent you, we are confident that our knowledge and expertise will ultimately secure you the best result.

The first step is to speak with one of our Medical Negligence Solicitors for a free initial consultation. You will find our approach to be both professional and compassionate. The law is our business and justice is our passion and you can be assured that Sheldon Davidson will put every effort into ensuring you receive both the justice and the financial compensation you deserve.

Contact the expert Medical Solicitors today

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.

Our Medical Negligence Lawyers, act regularly for clients across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield.

We can support your needs wherever you live in Wales, England & Northern Ireland. 

We specialise in No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Claims, which means if you don't win, you won't have to pay.

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are a Lexcel accredited law firm. The Lexcel standard is only awarded by the Law Society to firms who meet the highest standards of practice management and customer service.

With Sheldon Davidson's Medical Negligence Solicitors in Manchester, you can be confident that your claim is in safe hands