Michigan Brain Damage From Anesthesia Lawyer

The thought of going under general anesthesia is anxiety-inducing for many people. While relatively safe when properly administered, anesthesia problems can result from inexperienced or negligent practitioners making careless mistakes. One of the most severe injuries that can occur is anesthesia-related brain damage. 

How Does Anesthesia Work?

To better understand the dangers of anesthesia, it helps to understand more about the process. Anesthesia interrupts the nerve signals between the brain and the body. When these signals are blocked, the body does not process pain, and the patient may not remember the procedure or surgery. 

Anesthesia is administered through an IV placed in a patient’s hand or arm. Patients can also absorb the medication through inhalable gas. After the patient falls asleep, the anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist sometimes places a breathing tube down the patient’s throat to ensure the patient receives enough oxygen while unconscious. 

How Can Anesthesia Cause Brain Damage?

Anesthesia-induced brain damage is almost always due to blood or oxygen deprivation in the brain. Two common examples include:

Suffering a stroke while under anesthesia: A stroke occurs when the brain’s blood flow is restricted or interrupted. Strokes often result from a blood clot slowing blood flow to the brain. The lack of blood causes the brain’s affected cells to die or become damaged. 

Problems with the breathing tube placement: Breathing tube insertion ensures the constant flow of oxygen while the patient is anesthetized. Unfortunately, improper insertion can cause severe problems. For example, the patient may be deprived of oxygen while an unskilled anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist struggles to insert the tube. If the oxygen deprivation lasts too long, brain damage can result.

What Can Anesthesiologists Do to Prevent Brain Injuries?

Anesthesiologists should obtain all necessary information from patients to assess their risk and create a detailed plan to prevent adverse events. A proper health survey should request:

• The patient’s general health.
• The patient’s current medications.
• Any patient allergies.
• The patient’s body mass index.
• Whether the patient smokes.
• Whether the patient regularly exercises.
• Whether the patient has a history of diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, or breathing problems.

If an anesthesiologist fails to ask these critical questions or mixes up patient charts, the risk of an anesthesia-related brain injury increases substantially. 

Contact the Anesthesia Brain Damage Lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C.

If you or someone you love recently suffered brain damage after undergoing anesthesia, call the attorneys at Sommers Schwartz. Our medical malpractice lawyers have extensive experience handling complex brain injury claims. We can help you understand your options and make the best decision for your family and you. To learn more, call 800-783-0989 or reach us through our online form.