Anaesthetic Negligence Claims

Anaesthetic mistakes can cause serious psychological and physical trauma. Is it time to make a claim?

If an anaesthetist accidentally damages the nerves or spinal cord whilst administering an epidural it can result in severe pain or even serious disability. The spinal cord is a vital part of our nervous system. If it is damaged it can lead to debilitating pain and in some instances, paralysis.

Anaesthetic awareness can occur if the patient is awake during a surgical procedure, but unable to move or communicate. This can cause serious psychological trauma including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Even if the anaesthesia is carried out successfully, a failure to regulate blood pressure during the operation can lead to a stroke or brain damage.

We understand the impact these errors can have both physically and emotionally on an individual. Our highly experienced, friendly team will help you through every step of the claims process.

Failure to monitor anaesthetic performance

Even when the preparation and application of an anaesthetic is handled correctly, its effects on the patient can still be unpredictable. It is critically important that the reaction of the patient is monitored intensively at all stages of the process – induction, maintenance and emergence – for signs of distress.

This is done through a variety of devices which measure heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, temperature and the levels of anaesthetic agent in the patient’s bloodstream. Monitoring of the patient after emerging from anaesthetic is also very important. The failure to monitor or respond to these key indicators can have serious consequences and is one of the major causes of death and serious injury in the operating theatre. It frequently gives rise to medical negligence claims. Read more>> how to sue for medical negligence