Legal Support for Serious Surgical Mistakes
Anesthesia is a vital component of modern medicine, allowing patients to undergo surgeries without pain. Yet, when administered improperly, it can lead to catastrophic results. At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we provide experienced legal representation for individuals in Tulsa who have suffered from anesthesia errors. These preventable medical mistakes can cause life-altering injuries or death, and our attorneys are here to help victims and their families seek justice.
Why Anesthesia Errors Are So Dangerous
Despite the advancements in safety and monitoring protocols, anesthesia mistakes still occur due to human error, negligence, or equipment failure. Unlike other surgical risks, anesthesia errors often happen silently and escalate quickly. Even a small lapse in attention or dosage can result in severe consequences.
Common types of anesthesia mistakes include:
- Overdose or underdose of anesthesia leading to coma, brain damage, or awareness during surgery.
- Failure to monitor vital signs, resulting in hypoxia, respiratory failure, or cardiac arrest.
- Delayed intubation or improper airway management, which may cause organ failure or death.
- Allergic reactions or dangerous drug interactions when medical history is ignored.
- Errors in pediatric or obstetric cases, putting newborns or mothers at severe risk.
Injuries caused by these mistakes can include:
- Brain damage
- Cardiac arrest
- Respiratory arrest
- Death
- Stroke or permanent disability
Causes of Anesthesia Errors in Tulsa Hospitals and Clinics
Many anesthesia-related injuries occur in non-hospital surgical centers where monitoring and emergency preparedness may be lacking. Some common causes of errors include:
- Inadequate training among staff administering anesthesia outside traditional operating rooms
- Failure to conduct a thorough pre-op evaluation, including a patient’s drug history and allergies
- Breakdowns in communication between anesthesiologists, surgeons, and nurses
- Poor equipment maintenance or failure of monitoring devices
- Neglect in following emergency protocols when complications arise
These are not simply "complications." They often stem from a breach in the standard of care and can constitute medical negligence.
The Unique Legal Challenges of Anesthesia Malpractice
Establishing a claim for anesthesia error involves proving that a provider deviated from the accepted standard of care and that this deviation caused the injury. At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we work with nationally recognized medical experts to:
- Analyze anesthesia logs and operative records
- Review monitoring data
- Identify failures in airway management, dosage calculation, or emergency response
- Determine whether negligence played a role in the injury or death
Tulsa families facing these situations deserve clear answers and aggressive representation. We understand that the legal process can feel overwhelming—especially when you're coping with the physical, emotional, and financial toll of a preventable injury.
Birth Injuries and Anesthesia Errors
Administering anesthesia during childbirth or pediatric surgery requires additional care. Failure to manage oxygen levels during cesarean sections or pain management procedures can lead to severe neonatal brain injury or maternal death. Our team has represented families whose children suffered lifelong harm due to anesthesia mistakes at birth.
Seeking Compensation for Anesthesia Errors in Tulsa
Victims of anesthesia errors may be eligible to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses (including long-term rehabilitation)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death (for family members of deceased patients)
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we pursue every possible avenue to ensure our clients receive the full compensation they are entitled to under Oklahoma law.
Tulsa’s Trusted Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Our firm stands out because we focus exclusively on catastrophic medical malpractice cases. Led by board-certified trial lawyer Kay Van Wey, we bring more than 50 years of combined legal and medical knowledge to every case we take. If you or a loved one has suffered due to an anesthesia error in Tulsa, you don’t have to face this alone. Our attorneys are here to provide support, guidance, and legal strength when you need it most.
