Anaesthetic Awareness

Modern techniques in anaesthesia have aimed to minimise the intensity of anaesthesia so as to reduce the risk of surgical errors and complications for the patient. This has in some cases led to the unfortunate result of the patient being paralysed, being unable to move or communicate, while still feeling sensation and pain. For example a woman having a Caesarean section, would suddenly be aware of everything going on, but unable to alert the staff around her. This type of surgical error is known as "anaesthetic awareness".

Increased Vigilance

A number anaesthetic awareness surgical error cases have of late received widespread publicity, and anaesthetists have become increasingly aware that these types of surgical errors really do exist. They are now careful to watch for telltale signs, such as sudden increases in the patients heart rate that would indicate pain. As a result doctors conduct extra tests in order to assess whether or not anaesthesia is the right type of medical action for the patient before going ahead with an operation.

Despite this, a few cases still occur, and Clear Answers' lawyers, Thompsons Solicitors, have been successful in pursuing surgical error compensation claims. They have obtained surgical error compensation both for the pain and suffering experienced by the patient throughout this nightmare experience, and also for any possible longer-term psychological effects as a result of this type of surgical error.

Compensation Claim