Michigan Anesthesiology Malpractice Lawyer

Like all medical providers, anesthesiologists owe a duty of care to their patients. When a negligent healthcare provider fails to conform to leading medical standards, they can be held liable for any injuries the patient suffers. 

At the medical malpractice law firm of Sommers Schwartz, we work with patients and their families to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. Our dedicated attorneys can help you receive the compensation you need to recover from your injuries.

How Anesthesia Works:

Doctors generally administer anesthesia through an IV or inhalable gas. The medication limits the brain’s nerve signals, causing patients to enter a sleep-like state. 

When the patient falls asleep, the anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist may place a breathing tube down the patient’s throat. The tube ensures the patient receives enough oxygen while anesthetized. 

Anesthesia is a generally safe procedure when performed by a skilled provider. However, serious injury can result if an anesthesiologist makes a dosage error or fails to consider unique patient risk factors. 

Common Anesthesia-Related Injuries:

When improperly performed, anesthesia can cause a variety of serious and potentially life-threatening complications, including:

  • Brain damage – Most often, anesthesia-related brain damage results from oxygen deprivation to the brain. This can occur if a patient suffers a stroke while under anesthesia or the anesthesiologist negligently places the breathing tube. 
  • Respiratory problemsRespiratory problems are widespread in patients with a history of other respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Common forms include lung collapse or injuries caused by incorrect breathing tube placement.
  • Dental damage – When anesthesiologists use specific devices or tools to open a patient’s airway, dental injury can result, including dislodged crowns and bridges. 
  • Heart problems – Anesthesia places added stress on a patient’s heart. Patients can suffer heart attacks or other long-term heart problems in some cases. Before surgery, anesthesiologists have a duty to ensure the patient is healthy enough to withstand the medication. 

Bringing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Following an Anesthesia Error:

Medical malpractice claims are extraordinarily complex, as they involve the intersection of complicated legal and medical principles. For this reason, courts require patients to obtain an affidavit of merit signed by a healthcare provider practicing in the same area as the defendant. The affidavit must identify the relevant standard of care and explain why, in the expert’s opinion, the defendant-provider failed to meet that standard. They must also explain how the provider’s negligence caused the patient’s injuries. 

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the dismissal of the patient’s case. This is one of many reasons that working with a dedicated medical malpractice lawyer can significantly increase the chances of a favorable outcome.

Contact the Anesthesia Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C.

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

A Trusted Authority

Our attorneys have been featured on local and national media outlets, including:

sommers-media-compressor

A Client With a Wrongful Death Case

My family and I would like to thank Matt Turner, Mickey McCullough, Janice Koehler, and your entire law firm for your dedication to my wife’s wrongful death case. We realize that we had the best law firm to successfully help us. We appreciate the obviously hard work and the efforts…

Praise for Albert Asciutto

Shout out to Albert Asciutto for being a fantastic attorney & walking me through the entire process of fighting for my wages! He made the process quick and easy. In the end we won the case!! Thank you again for taking my case on, you are awesome! I would absolutely…

Praise for Jesse Young and Alana Karbal

Alana Karbal and Jesse Young did an excellent job fighting a giant for my wages. They pushed me to get what they needed from me and were amazing at communicating with me at all times. I won my arbitration and was so excited when I got more than what I…

Praise for Wage & Overtime Pay Attorney Jesse Young

Jesse Young worked an employment case for me that ended with almost 700 people getting their unpaid wages back. He and his team are incredible. From the first communication to the last, they never missed a single beat – consistent and clear communication, quickly replying to my communication, and always making…

A Client’s Gratitude for Tad Roumayah

Tad, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your unrelenting advocacy on my behalf throughout this process. It’s a shame that this sort of thing is still happening to new moms in 2023 and at an institution that prides itself on diversity, equity, and inclusion, no less. Knowing there…

Comments about Matthew Curtis from an Appreciative Client

Your efforts have changed my life, Matt. I’m forever grateful. My wife has tons of upcoming medical expenses, and we had both been working hard to make ends meet. I can’t thank you and your staff enough.

Praise for Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller and Matthew Curtis

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your hard work and dedication in handling my case. I appreciate your professionalism, your compassion, and your perseverance throughout this challenging process. You have gone above and beyond to protect my rights, to defend my interests, and to secure a favorable…

A Client Talks about Andy Dragovic

My wife had an accident, tripping over a cable line that wasn’t buried. Andy represented us and were very pleased with the outcome. Andy was very professional, personable, and quick to respond to us, answering any of our questions or concerns. The whole firm was responsive to our concerns, and…

Our Clients Say It Best

googlereviews
70 5-star reviews on Google