What are anaesthetic negligence claims?

When mistakes are made by an anaesthesiologist the effects can be devastating. If you suffer a subsequent injury or illness or if you woke up during an operation, you may be entitled to claim anaesthetic compensation due to medical negligence.

What are the most common causes of anaesthetic negligence?

There are different scenarios, which can lead to an anaesthetic claim:

Anaesthetic awareness

Finding yourself awake during a surgical operation is extremely traumatic. Although it's quite rare, patients can not only suffer pain but also feel completely helpless. It can lead to serious psychological damage, such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Anaesthetic nerve and spinal cord injuries

Patients can suffer injuries when anaesthetics are mistakenly injected into the spinal cord or into nerves. Injections can damage nerves. These injuries can result in severe pain and serious disability.

Anaesthetic brain damage and stroke

Patients can suffer very serious injuries if anaesthetists make mistakes during operations. In the worst cases, people have suffered brain damage or strokes because their blood pressure was not regulated properly.

How much can I claim for anaesthetic negligence?

Every anaesthesia settlement case is different, and the final amount of compensation awarded will be based on the severity of the injury and the affect the injury has had on your life.

Additionally, you’ll also be able to claim for any lost earnings, any long-term care, rehabilitation and any necessary house adaptations to maximise the chance of recovery and independent living.

To establish your full legal position, call us on 0330 041 5869.

How much time do I have to make a anaesthetic claim?

If you believe you have a anaesthetic claim, it’s important that you seek advice from a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence cases as soon as possible, as there are time limits in place in England, Scotland and Wales.

Generally, a anaesthetic claim should be made within three years from the date the negligence occurred or the date you were first aware that you had suffered a significant injury or illness due to negligence. However, there are exceptions.

To read more about the time limits of making a anaesthetic claim, please read our medical negligence FAQs or our medical negligence claims guide.

How much does it cost to make an anaesthetic negligence claim?

The majority of our anaesthetic negligence claims are funded by a conditional fee agreement, otherwise known as a No Win No Fee agreement. This means if you lose your case, you won't have to pay any fees and therefore, there’s no financial risk to you. For further information, about No Win No Fee agreements, read our medical negligence fees page.

Why choose Slater and Gordon's anaesthetic negligence solicitors?

Not only do we have many years’ experience securing compensation for anaesthetic negligence claims, we also have the utmost sensitivity to handle your case with great care.

We offer home and hospital visits and provide immediate representation and rehabilitation support.

Contact us for a free consultation to help you understand whether or not you have a anaesthetic claim or call 0330 041 5869.

Can I change my solicitors to Slater and Gordon?

If you or a family member have been seriously impacted by medical negligence, and you feel that you're not getting the specialist legal advice you need from your current solicitor, we'll be happy to discuss switching your case to Slater and Gordon. Simply call our experts on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.