An Oregon family wished a relative luck as he was whisked away to the operating room for what was supposed to be a routine procedure. Sadly, the 62-year-old man’s procedure did not go as expected. The man’s family is suing the anesthesiologist and his practice for wrongful death and medical malpractice.
The man was admitted for a routine procedure. The lawsuit asserts that the man was brain dead before the surgery began. This was the result of insufficient oxygen reaching the brain and is indicative of improperly administered anesthesia.
The family’s attorney noted that it’s the job of the anesthesiologist to ensure that the patient has sufficient oxygen going to his brain. In addition, the anesthesiologist is required to follow established safety procedures. The patient died three days after the surgery.
Surgeries are performed many times on any given day in Oregon and the outcomes of most of them are favorable, but no surgery is without its inherent risks. However, when a person passes away as a result of an apparent error on the part of a member of the medical team, the deceased’s family is likely to look for answers as to what went wrong. The family may benefit from seeking the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can review the circumstances of the case and advise the client as to whether a civil suit for medical malpractice is viable. A successfully litigated claim can provide compensation for medical costs, final costs and pain and suffering.