Anesthesia is an important element of surgery and many different medical procedures. Without it, most patients would not be able to tolerate the pain or the process of a surgical procedure. You could even argue that anesthesia has saved lives.

Unfortunately, it has claimed lives as well. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 46.6 percent of all anesthesia deaths were related to an anesthesia overdose. Overdoses usually arise from anesthesia errors.

Patients who were injured by anesthesia or suffered the loss of a loved one due to anesthesia may find some solace in hiring a compassionate Troy anesthesia error lawyer. A qualified medical malpractice attorney may be able to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Anesthesia Injuries in Troy

Patients who were seeking to improve their health through a surgical procedure are usually blindsided if the opposite occurs. No matter what type of injuries a patient suffers from an anesthesia error, a skilled anesthesia error lawyer in Troy may be able to help.

While anesthesia complications and injuries are rare, they are generally serious when they do occur. As reported in 2014 in the Journal of Health Risk Management, the most serious complications from anesthesia are:

  • Death, accounting for 26 percent of all complications
  • Nerve injury, accounting for 22 percent of all complications
  • Permanent brain damage, accounting for 9 percent of all complications

Other potential complications from anesthesia errors include:

  • Teeth damage
  • Pain
  • Organ damage
  • Cardiac arrest

No Anesthesia Error Damage Caps

Some states have laws limiting the amount of compensation victims of anesthesia can receive, but New York is not one of them. There are currently no laws in this state that limit or cap how much money a plaintiff can receive in these types of cases. Potential plaintiffs should discuss the amount of compensation they might be able to receive for their own damages with a knowledgeable Troy anesthesia error lawyer.

Certificate of Merit Filing Requirement

As detailed in New York Civil Practice Law & Rules §3012-a, a certificate of merit must be filed with any civil medical claim. This law helps prevent unnecessary lawsuits that can often clog the legal system and delay the processing of legit claims. If complying with the statute of limitations does not allow time to file a certificate of merit, state law allows an additional 90 days to file one after the original claim is filed.

A certificate of merit must state that the attorney for the plaintiff has contacted at least one licensed medical professional to review their case and that they believe there is merit to the claim. Alternatively, the certificate can state that the lawyer was not able to comply with a medical professional’s review of the case, even though three individual attempts were made in good faith to do so.

How a Troy Anesthesia Error Attorney Could Help

Anesthesia error injuries can rob you of your physical and financial comfort. In fact, they can impact nearly every area of your life. You may need to quit your job or see your relationships can after such an injury. Worst of all, you may have lost a loved one due to an anesthesia error.

The law in New York provides for victims to seek justice through the compensation of their damages. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your anesthesia error injury or the legal process after an injury, a Troy anesthesia error lawyer may be able to help. To learn more, call today to set up an initial meeting with a dedicated attorney.