Retired New York Officer Files Anesthesia Malpractice Lawsuit

A recently retired police officer has filed an anesthesia malpractice lawsuit in New York. Aaron Hess claims that he suffered permanent damage to his to his right leg after receiving improper administration of anesthesia. Hess is now seeking legal action against the physician, Dr. Phat Tran of Westchester, who was in charge of administering the sedation.

Although Hess’s complaint does not provide many details of his injuries, it does state that the incident occurred when Hess was receiving treatment at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow on October 21, 2010. Four days prior to that treatment, Hess had been injured after stepping in front of a car driven by 20-year-old college junior, Danroy Henry. Hess shot and killed Henry during that incident.

According to Hess’s anesthesia malpractice lawsuit, the anesthesia error occurred when Hess was undergoing surgery to treat injuries he received during the incident involving Henry. Hess alleges that Dr. Tran failed to properly block his femoral nerve, which resulted in permanent atrophy of a leg muscle and “sensory abnormalities.” The lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages Hess is seeking for his injuries.

Other related cases pending

The anesthesia malpractice lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court in White Plains in May of last year. This is also not the first legal action to involve Dr. Tran. According to a report at Lohud, another lawsuit was filed against the physician in May, 2013. In that complaint, the plaintiffs allege Tran’s improper administration of anesthesia caused a 19-year-old patient to go into cardiac and respiratory arrest during a routine procedure in January. That patient, a college student from Rockland, has been in a vegetative state since the procedure.

Anesthesia accidents in New York

According to the American Association for Justice, 98,000 patients die from medical errors every year. Of the total number of negligence claims made in the U.S. each year, 3.8% of those can be attributed to anesthesia errors. The most common types of anesthesia errors include giving too much medication, failing to properly monitor vital signs, and using defective equipment.

Anesthesia accidents can be life-changing and even deadly for some patients. Injuries might include loss of bodily function, nerve or spinal cord damage, brain damage, cardiovascular injury, coma, or death. While anesthesia mistakes may be attributed to a number of different factors, medical negligence is often at the core of the problem.

Under New York malpractice laws, anesthesiologists may be held liable for these types of injuries, if it can be proven the injury was a direct result of malpractice or negligence. Compensation awarded in these lawsuits may help victims pay ongoing medical bills, make up for lost wages and reimburse them for pain and suffering. Legal action can also hold those responsible for the mistakes accountable, and possible prevent further errors in the future.

Legal recourse for victims

If you or a loved one has been injured by anesthesia accidents in New York, help is available. The Sanders Firm brings decades of experience to the legal table, and work with clients to help them pursue compensation they might be entitled to. Representing residents of Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Long Island, the Bronx and Manhattan, our malpractice attorneys offer free case evaluations with no obligation. Call our offices today at 1.800.FAIR PLAY (800.324.7752) to schedule your consultation.