Here is my dilemma…I had right knee surgery to fix a meniscus. This was my first surgery ever and I had a bad reaction to the “general” anesthesia given to me. I told my doctor this and he scheduled the next surgery (for my left knee) at a different out-patience surgical center, where they perform “local” anesthesia.

The anesthesiologist came over to me and explained that I would be given a numbing shot for my left knee, which will numb the entire leg. He also told me that he would give me some type of drug to loosen me up. I told the doctor that I did not want any such drug administered to me, because I had a bad reaction to general anesthesia last time. The doctor acted really arrogant, like I didn’t know what I was talking about and he said we would talk about this later.

When I was laying in bed, waiting for the numbing shot for my left knee, I started feeling woozy and at that moment I heard the anesthesiologist say that he just gave me something in my IV and that was the last thing I remembered, until post-op. I was told that it took me twice as long than any patient to wake up and that my condition only happens 5% of the time. I threw up my medicines and liquid and was dizzy, nausea, light-headed for a week thereafter. In addition, I was told that the anesthesiologist came me some type of forgetful drug to make me forget the whole incident.

I told the anesthesiologist specifically and clearly that I did not want any type of drug that would loosen me up or knock me out, etc. and he administered this to me without my permission and against my will. I talked to a lawyer and because I didn’t suffer a whole lot of damage, it wouldn’t be worth it to have a lawyer oversee the case. He recommend taking the doctor to small claims?

How should I respond with my claim? Do I have grounds to sue? Do I have a case in court? Should I take the medical facility to court as well? Please help.