Problems during intubation commonly lead to medical malpractice claims. Many errors can result during the intubation and anesthesia processes, including delay in intubation, improper patient monitoring, incorrect dosage, and failure to take note of complications or faulty equipment.
Every year hundreds of patients experience improper surgical care; some of these cases lead to malpractice suits. If you are faced with a potential lawsuit, it is wise to consult an attorney as early as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence pertinent to the case.
Potential Outcomes of Delayed Intubation
The following complications can result if insertion of a tube needed to maintain respiration is delayed:
- Death
- Brain Damage
- Airway Injury
- Aspiration
Any of these complications may be cause for a malpractice suit. Malpractice suits often settle outside of court, but whether they go to trial or settle, there is generally a large amount of money at stake.
Who Can Be Sued?
A lawsuit for medical malpractice will likely include all medical professionals involved in the procedure and any institutions. The following individuals and organizations may be named in a lawsuit:
- Doctors
- Anesthesiologists
- Hospitals
- Nurses
- Supervisors
- Administrator
This list is not all-inclusive. Anyone can be named in a lawsuit if they were in some way party to the incident. Institutions such as hospitals as well as staff will almost always have insurance which covers them to a certain degree under malpractice claims. The insurance company will often also be a party to the lawsuit, and their attorneys may in fact handle the claims for parties under them.
Preservation of Records
Hospitals and doctors generally follow detailed procedural processes and records. These records will likely include information about patient monitoring throughout all procedures.
Patient records are an essential component of any medical malpractice case, including cases resulting from delayed intubation. At the first hint that a lawsuit may be or has been filed, gather and preserve any records possible that relate to the case. The more comprehensive the records, the easier it will be for the court and attorneys involved to handle the case and advise you of potential outcomes.
Getting Legal Help
To protect your rights and assets in a medical malpractice case, it is vital to get the assistance of an experienced malpractice attorney in your state. An attorney will know the best way to handle your case, and can provide you information about how to properly proceed in and out of court.
