A Guide to Botched Epidural Procedures & Your Legal Options
Understand when an epidural injury may be considered medical malpractice and when you can sue
Getting an epidural is supposed to bring relief—not cause more pain. But for some patients, what should be a routine procedure can lead to serious and unexpected complications.
Whether it’s a misplaced needle, an infection, or lasting nerve damage, the effects of a failed epidural can be both physically and emotionally devastating. While not every bad outcome is the result of an anesthesiologist’s mistake, there are situations where these healthcare providers may be liable for medical malpractice.
In this article, we’ll explore the potential risks of epidurals, what signs might point to negligence, and when it may be appropriate to consider legal action.
If you have additional questions or would like help filing a claim after an epidural injury, reach out to our experienced Tampa medical malpractice lawyers for a free consultation.
How often do things go wrong with an epidural?
Injuries from epidurals are relatively rare. In fact, new research suggests that epidurals may offer added protection during labor and delivery in some cases.
A 2024 study published in The BMJ found that women who received epidural analgesia during labor actually experienced a 35% reduction in severe maternal morbidity (SMM) compared to those who did not.
That doesn’t mean epidurals are completely without risk. Nerve damage, one of the most serious complications, is rare—happening in fewer than 1% of cases—but when problems do occur, they can lead to lasting or even life-threatening harm.
What happens if the epidural is placed incorrectly?
If an epidural is placed incorrectly, it can lead to a range of complications—some of which may be irreversible and even lead to wrongful death. The effects depend on where the needle or catheter ends up and how your body responds.
Possible epidural complications can include:
- Ineffective pain relief. One of the most common issues is poor or uneven pain relief, especially if the medication doesn’t fully reach the intended area.
- Severe headaches. Spinal headaches, or post-dural puncture headaches, can occur if cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks from the puncture site. While these headaches can be extremely uncomfortable, most resolve on their own within a day.
- Nerve damage. Incorrect placement can cause irritation or injury to nearby nerves. In rare cases, this may result in chronic pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Stroke. In very rare cases, complications from an epidural—such as blood clots, severe drops in blood pressure, or embolism—can contribute to a stroke, particularly in patients with pre-existing risk factors or those who are administered certain high-risk medications like glucocorticoids.
- Bleeding at the injection site. Minor bleeding is usually not serious, but in some cases, it can lead to a hematoma that puts pressure on the spinal cord and requires emergency treatment.
- Infection. If the injection site isn’t properly sterilized, it can become infected, potentially leading to more serious conditions like meningitis or an epidural abscess.
- Reactions to the medication. Some people may experience side effects or allergic reactions to the anesthetic or steroid used, ranging from mild symptoms like itching to more severe responses like low blood pressure or breathing difficulties.
- Spinal cord injuries. Although extremely rare, direct trauma to the spinal cord during an epidural can result in serious complications, including paralysis.
While these complications are uncommon, they highlight the importance of proper technique and close monitoring. If something feels off after receiving an epidural—or if symptoms worsen—it’s critical to seek medical help right away.
And if you believe a doctor’s negligence was involved in your failed epidural, don’t hesitate to consult a local medical malpractice attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options.
In the news:
Florida mom says it took 4 days for doctors to remove stuck epidural
In June 2019, 18-year-old Selena Gray from Milton, Florida, faced a traumatic medical emergency after what should have been a routine epidural during childbirth at Sacred Heart Hospital. According to the Pensacola News Journal, while giving birth to her daughter, Serenity, Gray received an epidural that became lodged and knotted near her spine.
Despite repeated attempts by multiple doctors over two days, the catheter couldn’t be removed. Gray was left in extreme pain, barely able to walk, and had to be carried to the bathroom by her family. When Gray’s mother demanded they be discharged, hospital staff allegedly resisted, even threatening to involve child protective services if the family left early.
Ultimately, Gray was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Gainesville, where specialists were able to fully remove the catheter 4 days later.
Although the surgery was successful, Gray continues to suffer from burning pain, muscle spasms, and limited mobility. Her family has since expressed their emotional trauma and frustration over how the situation was handled and has stated their intent to pursue legal action against Sacred Heart.
What is considered epidural malpractice?
Epidural malpractice occurs when a medical professional (usually an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist) fails to meet the accepted standard of care during an epidural procedure and that failure causes harm to the patient.
Here are common situations that may be considered medical malpractice after an epidural injury:
- Using the wrong medication or dosage. Mistakes with drug type or amount can lead to dangerous reactions, including toxicity, respiratory distress, or cardiac complications.
- Failure to obtain informed consent. If the patient wasn’t properly warned about the risks and alternatives before the procedure, and a complication occurred, this could support a malpractice claim.
- Failure to recognize and respond to complications. If a patient shows signs of distress or injury (such as severe pain, weakness, or signs of infection) and medical staff fail to act quickly, it could be considered negligence.
- Incorrect placement of the needle or catheter. If the epidural is administered in the wrong location, it can damage nerves, puncture the spinal cord, or cause uneven anesthesia.
- Inadequate patient monitoring. After the procedure, patients need to be monitored for changes in vital signs, signs of allergic reactions, and neurological symptoms. Failure to do so can lead to preventable harm.
- Unsterile technique or equipment. This can result in infections at the injection site or deeper within the spinal canal, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
In any case of suspected malpractice, it’s important to evaluate whether the provider’s actions deviated from what a competent medical professional with similar education and experience would have done—and whether that mistake caused measurable harm.
An experienced medical malpractice attorney can take steps to determine if a healthcare professional’s negligence played a role in your epidural injury and help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your pain, treatment costs, and other long-term impacts.
Were you seriously injured by an epidural in Florida? We can help!
No matter why you needed an epidural—whether for childbirth, chronic pain, or another condition—you shouldn’t be left to deal with the consequences of someone else’s mistake.
At Palmer Lopez, we understand how complex and emotional these cases can be. Our team focuses exclusively on medical malpractice and has the experience and resources needed to take on healthcare providers and their insurers to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you believe your injury was caused by negligence during an epidural procedure, contact our Tampa medical malpractice attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened and how we can help you move forward.
References
Kearns, R. J., Kyzayeva, A., Halliday, L. O. E., Lawlor, D. A., Shaw, M., & Nelson, S. M. (2024). Epidural analgesia during labour and severe maternal morbidity: population based study. BMJ, 385, e077190. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-077190
Macmillan , C. (2023, March 16). Epidurals During Childbirth: What Women Should Know. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/epidural-anesthesia
Media, H. (2015, October 8). FDA Warns of Stroke, Neurologic Events After Epidural Glucocorticoid Injection – The Cardiology Advisor. The Cardiology Advisor. https://www.thecardiologyadvisor.com/news/fda-warns-of-stroke-neurologic-events-after-epidural-glucocorticoid-injection/
Newby, J. (2019, July). “It’s horrifying:” Milton mom claims epidural was stuck in her back for days. Pensacola News Journal. https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2019/07/01/florida-mom-claims-sacred-heart-hospital-botched-epidural-injection/1619405001/
