A lot of people become anxious after being told that they will need surgery. That’s because most people have heard, at one time or another, a story about a medical mistake that occurred while in a surgery room. From horror stories about medical instruments being left inside patients to gruesome tales of a surgeon removing something they weren’t supposed to, it’s no wonder these stories terrify people so much. Most people don’t want to suffer the same fate.
But while most people are fearful of surgery because of the two examples above, some are more concerned about anesthetic than anything. That’s because anesthesiology mistakes are one of the more common medical mistakes made in hospitals across the nation, resulting in serious injuries or even death in some cases.
When negligence leads to injury or death
From small-town clinics to large, well-known hospitals, anesthesiology mistakes can happen anywhere. That’s because all nurses, doctors, and anesthesiologists are human beings; and if there’s one thing that they all have in common, it’s that they can all make mistakes.
Unfortunately, these mistakes come at the cost of patient safety. Some mistakes may include failing to monitor vital signs, administering too little or too much anesthetic, or failing to check a patient’s medical history before putting them under. As you can imagine, all of these missteps could lead to complications during surgery, possibly even resulting in serious or fatal injuries.
Your right to compensation for a medical mistake
As we have said before on this blog, hospitals and their staff should be held accountable for their negligence. One reason is that it acts as a deterrent for future mistakes. But above all else, holding negligent staff or institutions responsible for their actions also gives victims and their families peace of mind.
Settlements awarded after a medical malpractice claim not only to help cover expenses associated with the error, they can also quell financial concerns, especially if the error resulted in catastrophic injury or death. Speaking to a lawyer before filing a claim is a good way to not only make sure that a victim or family has a legitimate claim, it can also ensure that the right amount of compensation is being requested as well.