Received an Epidural anesthesia for ease of labor on 5/25. It took the anesthesologist 5 tries?

Question:

to get it inserted correctly. I would like to add that on the 2nd attempt my left side went numb. Thank god she got it on the 5th try. I had/have major pain in my back, leg and constant spinal headaches. My obgyn has me going to a speacialist. MRI shows a herniated disc at the site where the epidural was placed and bulges in the other locations notated in my records, and a few other issues like nerve damage. I am thinking about trying this issue as legal case. My dr. States I will live the rest of my life with back problems. I just turned 25 and have a newborn and a 21 mnth old, both boys. Some major points I need opinions on, my records by the anesthesia crna only states 'she had trouble with placement but got it on the 2nd try' this is incorrect documentation. As I said it took 5 times and I had trouble with total loss feeling in my left said before any meds were released. I felt it immediately after she stuck the needle.I have a picture of my back after coming home,which shows 5 red dots, similar to that of a bug bite, which shows placement attempts. Also the consent forms are in my chart but not signed by me. So what do you think about this? Can she legally lie about the attempts?

Answers:
YES, definitely, you have a case, in any hospital any medical provider only gets two attempts, after that they are suppose to get someone else! your back may have already had problems, you would have to had a recent x-ray or documentation that you never had back related problems prior to that. BUT you can not lie on a medical document, the hospital has malpractice insurance for that, I am sure the hospital director would happily settle with you to keep from going to court, also include any FUTURE medical expenses if you settle! and "no" she can not lie, if any other medical personnel was in the room, get their names, you may need them as witness's! Good luck. Tash

I would get a lawyer. I have had an epideral and they got it right the first time. No dr is supposed to lie about how many times they tried something. I would definitely document that and see your lawyer

probably not because you are warned about the possible side effects up to total parilis(sp) before you consent to the treatment
not to mention at any point in time expecially after that second stick you could have told them to stop

Wow. I'm so sorry this has happened to you, and I hope you can find a doctor that can give you a more hopeful prognosis. I'm no lawyer, but I'd say you definitely have a case. If I were you, I'd consult a lawyer ASAP. I'll bet he'd tell you to go for it too, especially since you have picture documentation. The anesthesiologist can sure try to lie, but if you have visual proof of your claims, she won't have much ground to stand on.

Good luck, and I wish you the best.

Received an Epidural anesthesia for ease of labor on 5/25. It took the anesthesologist 5 tries?

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