Trusted Anesthesia Error Attorneys in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Anesthesia is supposed to protect patients from pain and awareness during surgery—not place their lives at risk. When anesthesiologists, CRNAs, or hospitals make preventable mistakes, the consequences can be catastrophic, including brain injury, cardiac arrest, permanent disability, or death.
If you or a loved one was harmed due to an anesthesia error, our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys at Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC help patients hold negligent providers accountable and pursue full compensation under Michigan law.
What is Anesthesia Negligence?
Anesthesia negligence occurs when an anesthesia provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care before, during, or after a medical procedure, and that failure causes injury.
Anesthesia providers include:
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Physician anesthesiologists (MDs or DOs)
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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
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Anesthesia assistants
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Hospitals and surgical facilities responsible for staffing, supervision, and protocols
Because anesthesia directly affects breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and brain oxygenation, even brief lapses in care can result in devastating harm.
Common Types of Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia malpractice often involves one or more of the following failures:
Improper Dosing or Medication Errors
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Administering too much or too little anesthesia
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Failing to account for patient weight, age, or medical conditions
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Medication mix-ups or incorrect drug selection
Failure to Monitor the Patient
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Inadequate monitoring of oxygen saturation, blood pressure, or heart rhythm
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Ignoring alarms or abnormal vital signs
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Delayed response to hypoxia or hypotension
Airway and Intubation Errors
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Failed or delayed intubation
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Esophageal intubation
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Failure to recognize airway obstruction
Failure to Review Medical History
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Ignoring known allergies or prior anesthesia complications
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Overlooking conditions such as sleep apnea, cardiac disease, or obesity
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Failing to review medications that interact with anesthesia
Post-Anesthesia Negligence
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Inadequate monitoring in the recovery room
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Failure to recognize respiratory depression or bleeding
Anesthesia Awareness
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Patient regains consciousness during surgery
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Severe psychological trauma, PTSD, or physical pain
Injuries Caused by Anesthesia Negligence
Anesthesia errors frequently cause silent but severe injuries, including:
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Hypoxic or anoxic brain injury
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Cardiac arrest
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Permanent cognitive impairment
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Nerve damage
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Coma
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Death
In infants and children, anesthesia negligence can lead to lifelong neurodevelopmental disability.
Who May Be Legally Responsible?
Liability may extend beyond the individual anesthesia provider. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include:
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The anesthesiologist or CRNA
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Supervising physicians
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The hospital or surgical center
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Staffing agencies
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Medical groups
Michigan law allows recovery against all negligent parties whose conduct contributed to the injury.
Proving Anesthesia Malpractice in Michigan
Anesthesia cases are medically and legally complex. To succeed, a plaintiff must prove:
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The applicable standard of care
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A breach of that standard
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A causal link between the breach and the injury
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Damages
These cases often rely on:
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Anesthesiology experts
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Monitoring data and anesthesia records
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Timing analysis of oxygen deprivation
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Hospital policies and staffing protocols
Our firm has experience handling high-stakes medical negligence cases involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
Michigan Time Limits for Anesthesia Malpractice Claims
Michigan has strict statutes of limitation and notice requirements for medical malpractice cases. Missing a deadline can permanently bar a claim—regardless of how strong the evidence may be. Read our blog on the Statute of Limitations and Repose for more information.
If you suspect anesthesia negligence, it is critical to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Anesthesia Error FAQs
Related Pages (Helpful Next Reads)
I think my healthcare provider made a mistake. What next?
If you believe that you or a loved one suffered injury and damages due to negligence at the hands of medical professionals, contact Hoffer & Sheremet, or fill out the form below. The next steps would typically include the following:
- Gather and review medical records;
- Retain expert witnesses;
- Speak to treatment providers about your prognosis;
- Interview you and close loved ones regarding the impact the injury has had on your life;
- Calculate your medical expenses, out of pocket expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings and other economic damages;
- Send a demand letter to the hospital and medical providers to attempt pre-suit settlement;
- Serve a Notice of Intent on the hospital and medical providers;
- At the expiration of the Notice of Intent waiting period, file the Complaint and Affidavit of Merit to initiate litigation;
- Conduct discovery;
- Handle motions, court proceedings, and facilitation;
- Go to trial if there is no settlement.
Why Choose Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC?
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Focused on complex medical cases, including obstetric, neonatal, ER, and medication safety matters.
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Trial-ready: we build every case as if it will be tried.
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Systems approach: we look beyond the chart to find the upstream failure.
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Personal, transparent communication: you’ll always know where your case stands.
Free consultation: (616) 278-0888 • Message us through our secure form.
At Hoffer & Sheremet, our team will truly get to know you, your family, and how the malpractice affected your life. We listen to you. Our unique team approach helps us get you the best settlement you can. If you believe that you or a loved one suffered injury and damages due to negligence at the hands of medical professionals, contact Hoffer & Sheremet today for a free consultation, or fill out the form below.