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Good anaesthetic care, technique, and skill is often taken for granted by patients who are more concerned about the surgical outcome of their operation. However, even a minor mistake by the anaesthetist, at any stage in the patient’s journey through surgery, can result in devastating injury.

If you or a loved one has suffered anaesthetic negligence, our expert medical negligence solicitors are here to help.

What is anaesthetic negligence?

Anaesthetic negligence occurs when a medical professional has failed to keep you safe in the choice and management of anaesthesia. Anaesthetic is given to a patient to numb the feeling when undergoing surgery - the more invasive the surgery, the stronger the anaesthetic will be.

There are generally three types of anaesthetic, as it depends on what type of surgery is required and whether the patient needs to be conscious. They include:

  • General anaesthetic = This is a combination of injections and gas which affects the central nervous system and places the patient in a controlled unconsciousness.
  • Local anaesthetic = This is delivered to a specific area of the body, which will numb and reduce pain. The patient is conscious, but they will not be able to feel that area of the body.
  • Regional anaesthetic = This is used for larger parts of the body which cannot be targeted with local anaesthetic alone.

How to make an anaesthetic negligence claim

If you have suffered anaesthetic negligence, you should contact us to help you start your claim as soon as you feel well enough to do so. We will help you gather the following:

  • Your medical records
  • Any hospital investigation reports
  • Your recollection of the advice you were given before treatment
  • Expert evidence considering the care you received and the consequences for you of any negligence

All of the above will help us prove that you were physically harmed (causation), but also that the medical professional failed in their duty of care (negligence).

You can also make an anaesthetic negligence claim on someone else's behalf. This applies to under 18-year-olds, those who do not have the cognitive capacity to manage their affairs and those who have died due to negligence.

Why choose Boyes Turner?

Our clients receive the highest standards of advice and representation and are always treated with compassion, outstanding care and understanding of the physical, emotional, psychological and financial impact that life-changing injury can have upon their lives.

Our medical negligence solicitors help individuals and their families who are left bereaved, disabled or seriously injured by medical negligence claim substantial sums of compensation.

Money cannot take away the injury, but compensation has helped hundreds of our clients pay for essential care and equipment, move into adapted accommodation, pay for private therapies and psychological counselling, and restore financial stability after a serious injury or devastating loss has affected their own and their family’s lives.

  • We are nationally acclaimed medical negligence lawyers. We are recognised as leading clinical negligence experts by Chambers Directory and Legal 500.
  • Our award-winning solicitors are accredited for our expertise by the Law Society, AvMA and APIL. We secure maximum compensation settlements for our clients which make the best provision for their current and future needs.
  • We have an extensive and highly experienced medical negligence team with proven skills to succeed in high value, complex claims involving catastrophic injury and severe disability.

Anaesthetic negligence claims frequently asked questions

What are the risks from anaesthetic?

The Royal College of Anaesthetists has published several leaflets on its website explaining the types of minor and major injury that can arise from having an anaesthetic.

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Who is at increased risk from anaesthesia?

It is part of the anaesthetist’s job to assess each patient’s individual risk before surgery.

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What does the anaesthetist do during surgery?

The anaesthetist keeps the patient in a state of controlled unconsciousness during surgery.

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What kind of mistakes lead to anaesthetic negligence claims?

There are many anaesthetic mistakes which often lead to successful compensation claims.

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What injuries can be caused by anaesthetic negligence?

Not all injuries during surgery or under anaesthetic are caused by negligence.

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How much compensation will I get for an anaesthetic negligence claim?

The amount of compensation depends on the type of injury, its impact on the patient’s life and their additional needs arising from the injury.

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Previous Cases

£13.3 million compensation for a teenager who suffered a neonatal brain injury in the days after his birth and permanent physical disability from cerebral palsy as a result of a hospital’s negligent treatment of necrotising enterocolitis and excessive ventilation (hypocarbia). The settlement followed a judgment providing our client with 100% compensation, as the negligent care made a ‘material contribution’ to his disability which the medical experts could not distinguish from any disability naturally caused by his condition. During the ongoing claim his urgent needs were met by an £875,000 interim payment.

Compensation settlement for a woman who suffered a psychological injury after residual anaesthetic drugs from earlier surgery were flushed through her cannula. The drugs left her unable to breathe, move or communicate her distress to the nursing staff. She believed she was going to die, and eventually passed out. Following the incident she required treatment for anxiety and flashbacks

Compensation settlement for a woman who underwent surgery whilst still conscious but unable to breathe or move or communicate her pain or awareness to the anaesthetist who had negligently administered her anaesthetic drugs in the wrong order. She suffered a severe psychological injury with PTSD.

Compensation settlement for a client who suffered a severe psychiatric injury including PTSD when she was left conscious and in excruciating pain but paralysed and unable to communicate with the anaesthetist who had negligently given her the wrong dosage of anaesthetic drugs.

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Meet your specialist team

Our specialist Anaesthetic negligence claims team are considered leaders in the field and have a significant amount of expertise.
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Susan Brown

Partner

Julie Marsh headshot

Julie Marsh

Partner

Richard Money-Kyrle headshot

Richard Money-Kyrle

Partner

Sita Soni headshot

Sita Soni

Senior Associate - solicitor

Vanessa Wand photo

Vanessa Wand

Senior associate - solicitor

Rachel Makore headshot

Rachel Makore

Associate - solicitor

Tara Pileggi-Byrne photo

Tara Pileggi-Byrne

Associate - Solicitor

Alpa Rana headshot

Alpa Rana

Associate - solicitor

Fran Rothwell

Fran Rothwell

Associate solicitor

Ben Ireland headshot

Ben Ireland

Solicitor

Alice Carley headshot

Alice Carley

Paralegal

Audrey Elmore headshot

Audrey Elmore

Medical records coordinator

Nicky Melville headshot

Nicky Melville

Professional support assistant

Susan Brown photo
Julie Marsh headshot
Richard Money-Kyrle headshot
Sita Soni headshot
Vanessa Wand photo
Rachel Makore headshot
Tara Pileggi-Byrne photo
Alpa Rana headshot
Fran Rothwell
Ben Ireland headshot
Alice Carley headshot
Audrey Elmore headshot
Nicky Melville headshot

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Anaesthetic negligence claims cases

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Awards & accreditations

Our medical negligence and personal injury teams have been nationally recognised for over 20 years because of their expertise, empathy and commitment to securing maximum compensation for our clients.

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What our clients say

"Amazing support"

Fran has been an amazing support through a very difficult time for me and my family. Always available to speak and kept me in the loop with anything happening, she has been so kind, and I thank her so much for helping and getting my mum the justice she deserved.

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What has to be some of the most testing horrible times was dealt with in a dignified, honest, approachable and truly empathetic manner. I could not begin to do Susan justice for her handling of our case.

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I approached Boyes Turner after my claim was turned down by one of the Medical Negligence Claim company. My wife was a victim of medical negligence.

Boyes Turner have acted so efficiently on our behalf and was able to win our case. Anytime we contact them, their customer service was very good as they kept us fully informed of every level our case has developed. They are very friendly and approachable and great in their professional advise. I would strongly recommend anyone approach them for their legal and medical negligence services.

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I came to Boyes Turner desperate after searching the web for a firm to use for my sons case. He was only a few months so my mind was all over the place, but from the very first point of contact I felt a sense of relieve and belonging. I was welcomed and looked after by amazing staff who always communicated everything so well and went the extra mile to explain things and ensure I understood what was happening every step of the way (THANK YOU SUSAN BROWN). Susan was amazing I felt like I not only had a solicitor but someone who understood my emotions as a mother and always handled me with so much compassion and that was all I needed to keep me going for the 6 years of the case. Years went by in a breeze because of how professional Boyes Turner was. I am so greatful I went through it all with them and mananged to get my son a good compensation. We look forward our new life where my sons needs are priority after struggling for so long. Thank you Boyes Turner and thank you Susan Brown. My family and I are ever indebted.

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