Informed Consent Expert Witness – Anesthesia and Procedures

Basis of Dr. Urits's opinions on this topic. Dr. Urits is board certified in Anesthesiology and in Pain Medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology. His opinions about anesthesia care rest on his anesthesia residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Medical School, his board certification in Anesthesiology, and his published research. Retaining counsel should confirm expert qualifications under the rules of their jurisdiction.

Informed consent claims ask whether the patient was told about the material risks, benefits, and alternatives before anesthesia or a procedure, and whether that discussion was documented. Dr. Urits evaluates consent for general anesthesia, regional anesthesia and nerve blocks, sedation, and interventional pain procedures, including device implants, against accepted practice.

Common issues

• Disclosure of anesthesia-specific risks, such as airway and dental injury, nerve injury, awareness, and post-dural puncture headache

• Discussion of alternatives, such as general versus regional anesthesia, or sedation versus general anesthesia

• Consent for nerve blocks and interventional pain procedures, including spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pumps

• Timing of consent, patient capacity, and documentation

Related publication and pages

• Kamath D, …, Urits I, Horn DB. Descriptive Analysis of Federal and State Interventional Pain Malpractice Litigation in the United States: A Pilot Investigation. Pain Physician. 2020.

• See also: Regional Anesthesia & Nerve Blocks · Sedation & MAC · Pain Procedure Complications