Many Pennsylvania parents know how hard it is to see their own child go through labor. When everything does not go smoothly, it can be even more trying. In one case, a girl had complications during her labor and received anesthesia so the baby could be delivered Caesarian, and the medication error led to a disabling level of brain damage to the young woman and an increased responsibility for her family to care for her and her child.

In this lawsuit, the consequences of the medication error stretch far, as the girl suffered respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, as well as permanent brain damage. Her disability limits her income potential, and creates a possible hardship situation for her family.

The suit doesn't end with the claim that the girl received too much anesthesia. It also claims that her care afterward fell short of expectations causing additional mental anguish as well as pain and suffering for the family. Loss of income and earning capacity are also things to consider, as well as future medical costs that she could incur due to her disability.

Of course not all medical malpractice suits are so involved. Many errors are caught early and corrected resulting in a slightly longer hospital stay, the necessity to take an extra week or so off work, or attend physical therapy sessions. But regardless of the level of illness or injury it is important that patients hold doctors, nurses, and other medical staff responsible for quality work because the alternative could change their life.

Source: The Southeast Texas Record, "Malpractice suit claims teen suffered brain damage from too much anesthesia," Michelle Keahey, Dec. 30, 2012

Medication errors such as those that occur in the operating room can lead to serious injuries. We handle cases that arise out of the type of issues discussed in this post. For more information on these types of claims, please visit our Pittsburgh anesthesia errors page.