Anesthesia Errors During Surgery

When a Preventable Mistake Causes Catastrophic Injury or Death

Anesthesia is one of the most powerful—and dangerous—tools in modern medicine.

When administered properly, it allows safe surgery.
When administered improperly, it can cause brain damage, permanent blindness, organ failure, or death within minutes.

These injuries are often preventable.

Girards Law represents patients and families harmed by anesthesia errors during surgery, including cases involving:

Free Consultation • No Fee Unless We Win
Call toll free 833-5GIRARDS or 214-346-9529 or reach us on our Contact Page

Seconds Matter

Anesthesia directly affects:

  • Breathing
  • Oxygen delivery
  • Blood pressure
  • Brain function

Even a short disruption in oxygen supply can result in permanent brain injury.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and patient safety organizations emphasize that anesthesia care requires continuous monitoring and rapid response to changes in patient condition.

Understanding the Context of Risk

General Anesthesia

Used to render a patient unconscious.

Regional Anesthesia (Spinal/Epidural)

Blocks sensation in a specific part of the body.

Sedation / Monitored Anesthesia Care

Used for less invasive procedures.

Each type carries risks—and errors in any category can be catastrophic.

How These Mistakes Occur

1. Failure to Monitor Oxygen Levels

Failure to detect:

  • Airway obstruction
  • Respiratory depression
  • Equipment malfunction

This can lead to brain damage within minutes.

2. Improper Intubation or Airway Management

Errors in securing the airway can result in:

  • Oxygen deprivation
  • Aspiration
  • Cardiac arrest

3. Medication Errors

Including:

  • Overdose
  • Underdose
  • Wrong drug
  • Incorrect timing

4. Equipment Failure or Misuse

Examples include:

  • Ventilator malfunction
  • Oxygen supply interruption
  • Monitor failure

5. Failure to Respond to Warning Signs

Warning signs may include:

  • Falling oxygen saturation
  • Blood pressure changes
  • Irregular heart rhythm

Delays in response can be fatal.

6. Anesthesia Awareness

A patient may:

  • Regain consciousness during surgery
  • Experience pain but be unable to move

This can cause severe psychological trauma.

The Consequences Can Be Permanent

Brain Injury

Lack of oxygen can cause:

Blindness

Improper positioning, blood pressure drops, or oxygen issues during surgery can lead to:

  • Ischemic optic neuropathy
  • Permanent vision loss

Cardiac Arrest

Medication or oxygen errors can cause:

  • Heart rhythm disturbances
  • Cardiac arrest

Stroke

Improper management of blood pressure or oxygen can result in:

  • Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke

Death

In the most severe cases, anesthesia errors result in:

Strict Safety Protocols Exist

Modern anesthesia care includes:

  • Continuous monitoring of oxygen levels
  • Capnography (carbon dioxide monitoring)
  • Blood pressure and heart monitoring
  • Trained anesthesia providers

Organizations such as ASA and AHRQ emphasize that adherence to these protocols significantly reduces risk.

Not Every Complication Is Negligence—But Many Errors Are

An anesthesia error may constitute malpractice when:

  • Monitoring was inadequate
  • Airway management failed
  • Medication errors occurred
  • Warning signs were ignored
  • Equipment was misused

These cases often turn on whether:

The injury could have been prevented with proper care.

What Evidence Matters

A strong case typically involves:

  • Anesthesia records
  • Operative reports
  • Vital sign monitoring data
  • Equipment logs
  • Expert anesthesiology review

The goal is to determine:

  • What went wrong
  • When it went wrong
  • Whether it should have been prevented

Early Action Is Critical

You should seek legal guidance if:

  • A patient suffered brain injury during surgery
  • There were complications related to anesthesia
  • There was unexpected vision loss after surgery
  • A loved one died during or after anesthesia

Even if you are unsure:
👉 Early investigation can preserve critical evidence.

Speak With an Anesthesia Error Lawyer

If you or a loved one were harmed by an anesthesia error, you may have legal options.

We offer a confidential, no-cost consultation.

Call toll free 833-5GIRARDS
Or contact us online at our Contact Page