Many of us will undergo a surgical procedure involving the use of anaesthetic at some stage in our lives. It will always be administered by a trained anaesthetist and in the vast majority of cases will be entirely successful in allowing us to have a pain free operation. However mistakes can be made and the consequences for the individual can be dramatic and life changing.

Types of Anaesthetic

There are two types of anaesthetic:

• Local, where the area of the body being treated is numbed and
• General, where the patient is rendered unconscious.

Common Types of Anaesthetic Injury Claims

Some errors made by anaesthetists during operations can be very minor but have very serious consequences for the patient and can include:

• Brain damage/strokes caused because of a failure to keep the airwaves open leading to a lack of oxygen.
• Anaesthetic awareness where the patient has not been given enough anaesthetic and still experiences pain suffering the pain and psychological disturbance such as depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Nerve damage caused by epidurals.

Recent Cases for Anaesthetic Injury Compensation

In a recent case reported in the press a 14 year old girl was paralysed from the waist down when an anaesthetic used in an operation for gallstones was left in her spine for 2 days causing damage to the spinal cord.

A case a few years ago where a gentleman was awake during an operation that involved major surgery to his leg including drilling of the bone resulted in an award of compensation which at today’s rates would be over £26500.

Obviously, the more severe cases like the young lady rendered a paraplegic after routine gall bladder surgery will attract significant compensation.

Can I make a claim for Anaesthetic Medical Negligence?

In order to pursue a claim for medical negligence you have to be able to show that the surgeon involved did not perform his job as a competent anaesthetist would have done and that you have been injured as a result. These sorts of cases can prove difficult and medical evidence in your support will have to be sought.

How much Compensation can I expect?

If you can prove medical negligence and that it has occurred in the last three years then you may be able to claim for the injury, pain and suffering and any attendant losses such as loss of earnings, adaptation to living accommodation and medical care (in the more serious cases). Amounts of compensation can be significant and you should always seek the services of a specialist lawyer.

Making Anaesthetic Injury Medical Negligence Compensation Claim

Medical negligence claims due to anaesthetic can be very lengthy and expensive. You should therefore ensure that you have a specialist solicitor acting on your behalf.