Surgical and Anesthesia Errors

Surgical and anesthesia errors are responsible for thousands of cases of injury, permanent disability, and death each year in the U.S. There are a large number of possible surgical and anesthesia errors, in part because of the thousands of different kinds of surgeries. However, some types of surgical and anesthesia errors are more common than others.

For example:

• The wrong surgical procedure is performed
• The wrong patient is operated on
• The wrong organ, limb, or body site is operated on
• Anesthesia mistakes — e.g., too much, too little, the wrong anesthesia, allergies not accounted for
• A scalpel or other instrument slips, cutting a blood vessel, organ, or other body tissue
• A surgical instrument or sponge is left inside the patient after surgery
• Unsanitary surgical instrument or conditions cause an infection
• A mistake in the surgical procedure itself
• Mistakes in the patient’s pre-operative plan

Consequences of Surgical and Anesthesia Errors

When a surgeon, anesthesiologist, or other member of the surgical team makes a mistake or provides negligent care, it may be deemed an instance of medical malpractice. Victims of medical malpractice may suffer short- or long-term health effects. In some cases, victims suffer death. For the damages they incur, victims and/or their families may be compensated.

Schedule an Attorney Consultation Today

Brett Oppenheimer is a Louisville medical malpractice lawyer who handles cases throughout the state of Kentucky. If a surgical error or anesthesia error has harmed you or a member of your family, contact the Louisville, Kentucky offices of Brett Oppenheimer to schedule a free consultation. Your concerns will be discussed, and your legal options will be explained.