General and local anaesthetics are used in many medical procedures and are supposed to stop you from feeling pain and make the surgical process easier. But what happens when it goes wrong?
In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about claiming compensation for anaesthetic negligence. We’ll explore the criteria in place for making a valid medical negligence claim and discuss how anaesthetic can be administered negligently.
Then, our guide will go over some common questions surrounding the medical negligence claims process. For example, we’ll discuss how long you have to start a claim, and what types of compensation you could potentially receive from a successful case.
Finally, we’ll talk about claiming compensation with the help of a specialist solicitor. A medical negligence solicitor can bring a number of benefits to the table, and our solicitors are experts in claiming compensation on a No Win No Fee basis.
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If you’re ready to start your medical negligence claim, contact our team today by:
- Starting your claim online.
Can I Claim For Anaesthetic Negligence?
To make any kind of medical negligence claim, including anaesthetic negligence, you need to prove that:
- A medical professional owed you a duty of care
- They breached this duty
- You suffered avoidable harm as a result
Every medical professional owes their patients a duty of care, from general practitioners to anesthesiologists. To fulfil this duty, they are expected to provide treatment that meets a minimum standard.
If your anesthesiologist failed to meet this standard, and you suffered avoidable harm as a result, you could potentially make a claim.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Anaesthetics?
Anaesthetics are used in a variety of medical settings, from major surgeries in hospitals to simple procedures in a doctor’s surgery. There are a number of different kinds of anaesthetics, including:
- Local anaesthetic: This kind numbs a specific area, and often allows you to be alert and awake while it happens. It can be applied topically or as an injection.
- General anaesthetic: This is often used in major surgeries, as it renders the patient unconscious and unfeeling.
- Epidural: An epidural involves injecting anaesthetic into the sac surrounding the spinal cord, numbing the back and lower limbs.
To learn more about when you could potentially make a claim for anaesthetic negligence, contact our team today.
What Are The Consequences of Anaesthetic Negligence?
If anaesthetic is administered with substandard care, this can cause a range of serious and avoidable consequences. For example, these could include:
- Infection: If anaesthetic is applied locally with a needle or a cannula, but the area isn’t properly disinfected, this could cause infection. Infections can have serious consequences, including sepsis, kidney failure, and paralysis.
- Nerve damage: Anaesthetics can cause nerve damage in several ways. For example, if an epidural is incorrectly applied, it can damage the spinal cord, causing serious nerve damage. Similarly, if the patient is positioned incorrectly, it can stretch and damage nerves.
- Brain damage: An overdose of anaesthetic can cause severe brain damage, which can result in paralysis, epilepsy, and loss of language function.
- Fractures: In some cases, anaesthetic is administered through a breathing tube. If this is applied negligently, the patient can suffer fractures to the nose and jaw, as well as tooth damage.
- Psychological injuries: If you aren’t given enough anaesthetic, you may wake up during surgery or still feel pain. This can cause significant psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These are only a few examples of how anaesthetic negligence could affect you. Contact our team today to learn more, or keep reading to learn about the steps you can take to support your claim.
How Long Do I Have To Claim For Medical Negligence?
You’ll usually have three years to start a medical negligence claim, as per the Limitation Act 1980. It’s important to note that this only applies to starting your claim; you don’t need to finish it in this time.
The three-year time limit begins either on the date that the harm occurs or on the date that you connect the harm you suffered with anaesthetic negligence.
Claim For Anaesthetic Negligence On A No Win No Fee Basis
So, why should you make a medical negligence claim with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors? There’s no obligation to work with a legal expert on your claim, but if you choose to instruct a solicitor, it can help make the process seem easier and less stressful.
For example, our solicitors could help you:
- Support and strengthen your claim by gathering evidence
- Communicate with the defendant
- Understand legal jargon and explain terminology
- Negotiate a settlement that covers all of your losses
- Stay updated throughout each step of the claim
And they can do all of this without taking their usual hourly fee, or charging you for it upfront. This is because they work with clients through the terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which means they don’t charge you for their services.
If you successfully claim for medical negligence, then your solicitor will take a success fee. This is a percentage capped by law, and taken directly from your compensation.
Contact Us
Get in touch with one of our expert advisors today to learn more about making a claim with the assistance of one of our expert solicitors by:
- Starting your claim online.
