Intubation Errors and Ventilator Injuries
During surgery or in an emergency situation in which a patient’s airway is compromised, it may be necessary for a medical provider to intubate the patient, or insert a breathing tube through the patient’s mouth or nose and into the lungs to allow for adequate ventilation. Intubations are routinely performed on surgical patients by anesthesiologists. Emergency room doctors, nurses, and EMTs are also trained to intubate patients in emergencies.
Proper airway management is critical to a patient’s health. Oxygen deprivation can cause brain damage and/or death in minutes. Medical providers must follow specific protocols when intubating patients. Any mistake could cause permanent or fatal injury to a patient. Specific procedures must also be followed during extubation, or removal of a ventilation tube, to prevent injury to the patient. Complications such as stroke, hemorrhage, and lung damage may occur if hospital nurses and doctors fail to properly monitor a patient on a ventilator. Intubation injuries often occur because the doctor or medical provider performing the procedure is inexperienced, incompetent, or negligent. Airway management errors can result in the following injuries:
- Mouth, lip, or teeth injury
- Bruising or perforation of the esophagus
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Lung injury or collapsed lung
- Stroke
- Arrhythmia
- Nerve damage
- Cervical spine injury
- Pneumonia or infection
- Scarring from premature extubation
- Brain damage
- Death
Some minor complications from intubation are treatable, and patients will fully recover; however, some preventable intubation injuries may cause permanent disability or death. Even a slight deviation from intubation and airway management protocols can have devastating consequences. Patients who suffer permanent injury, or families who have lost a loved one due to intubation errors or ventilator mistakes, may have grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor, nurse, or hospital responsible for causing their injury or loss.
New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP Represent Patients Injured by Intubation Errors
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious intubation injury, New Jersey hospital mistakes lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your intubation and airway management to determine what parties may be liable for your injury or loss. Our New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers fight to ensure that negligent medical providers are held accountable for their mistakes and our clients receive full and fair compensation for their injuries or loss. Call Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP at 732-777-0100 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Our offices are located in Edison, Toms River, and Red Bank, and we represent clients throughout New Jersey.
Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP has purposely remained small in size, because it is important to us that we get to know our clients and their needs. Larger NJ injury firms may churn out case after case, but that’s not how we operate. Partners Barry Eichen, William Crutchlow, and Daryl Zaslow have created a firm with the resources to handle complex litigation, and a team that takes your case personally.
Find out more about Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP