Anesthesia is very common and is used in all sorts of medical procedures, from sedation dentistry to heart surgery. Since anesthesia began getting widespread use in the 1970s, millions of Americans have been exposed to the risks and dangers associated with its use.

Anesthesia is a very difficult medical device to monitor because every person reacts differently to it. Presently, doctors use special monitors to track the oxygen level in the blood, placement and function of breathing tubes, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and circulation.

Anesthesia blocks pain receptors so that a patient who is under the effects of anesthesia will no longer be able to feel pain. Often times, doctors use anesthesia in combination with other drugs to control any number of bodily functions.

Side effects of anesthesia are very widespread because of the differences in reaction to the drug. Some surgery patients report that they have become aware of their surroundings during the surgical procedure, paralyzed and unable to signal a problem to the surgeon. Other patients are unable to recover from the effects of anesthesia for a long period of time.

Although anesthesia related deaths have significantly dropped in frequency since the 1970s, deaths still occur in about 1 out of 250,000 anesthesia-induced patients. Anesthesia, like almost all other drugs, has associated risks that include:

• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Allergic Reaction
• High Blood Pressure
• Sore Throat
• Pain
• Death
• Nausea
• Brain Damage

With over 20 million surgical procedures performed each year involving anesthesia, adverse effects and serious side effects can arise any time a patient is put under anesthesia. If you or a loved one has been a victim of the adverse or serious side effects of anesthesia, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim.

A medical malpractice claim holds the surgeon, hospital staff, or other medical professional liable for the injuries you have suffered as a result of being administered anesthesia. Through a medical malpractice claim, you may be able to recover medical malpractice damages, such as:

• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
• Medical Bills
• Future Medical Bills
• Lost wages
• Future Lost Wages
• Permanent Disability
• Loss of Companionship

If you would like to file a medical malpractice claim because you or a loved one has been the victim of the effects of anesthesia, contact Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, L.L.P. ® for your free initial consultation.