The Stakes Are High When It Comes To Medication Mistakes
About one-third of Americans take five or more medications daily, meaning that pharmacists are frequently busy and rushing, which can lead to a higher risk of error. Doctors and nurses are also busy and in constant demand causing distractions and increasing the likelihood of prescription errors. These errors can occur in hospitals, pharmacies and in nursing homes. These errors can result in pain, suffering, surgeries and can even result in death.
Prescription errors frequently occur, yet a surprising number of people assume it is just how life goes and move on without contacting a malpractice attorney. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to meet with a malpractice attorney at DeMore Law Firm, PLLC. Our lawyers will fiercely advocate on your behalf after a pharmacist, doctor or other health care professional makes a prescription error.
It Is A Matter Of Negligence When Prescription Errors Occur
Our New York malpractice attorneys often use the term “negligence” in discussions with clients. Negligence means a person or institution’s failure to provide due care that is owed to patients. If the failure to provide due care leads to an overdose, illness or death, you need an experienced malpractice attorney on your side to prove negligence and recover damages.
Common Causes Of Medication Errors
Doctors must ask about the other medications a patient is taking prior to prescribing a new medication as there is the potential for lethal side effects when two or more drugs are present. In other cases, negligence occurs when there is a miscommunication between the doctor and the pharmacist. A doctor’s bad handwriting in prescribing the medication can confuse the pharmacist, ultimately resulting in a wrong prescription.
There is the potential for the pharmacist to write down the wrong medication or dose when talking to the doctor, confuse your name with that of another patient or even for a pharmacist/manufacturer to position drug packages that look similar to one another in the same area, leading to the disbursement of the wrong medication. What matters most is that you have the best malpractice attorney on your side to pursue justice in the form of financial compensation.
According to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention, a medication error is any preventable mistake involving your medication that can lead to misuse or may harm you counts as a medication error. Here are a few examples:
- Prescribing/administering
- The wrong medication for condition or illness
- The wrong dosage
- A medication that reacts poorly with patient’s current medications
- A medication the patient is allergic to
- Dispensing
- The wrong medication
- The wrong dose of medication
- Failure to provide proper instructions and medicine labels
- Failure to warn of dangers and side effects of medication
Prescription and medication errors can have drastic impacts on your health and wellness. Taking the wrong medications can make your illnesses and conditions worse. Taking the wrong dose can also be fatal through overdosing or other adverse effects. Possible consequences can include:
- Severe allergic reactions
- Blood clots
- Heart issues
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Death
The bottom line is you need and deserve the right medication at the proper dosage level for your unique biochemistry and ailment. Furthermore, you also need accurate instructions for taking the medication, ensuring you consume the right amount at the optimal intervals.
How DeMore Law Firm, PLLC, Can Help You
Without a law firm by your side, the legal system is difficult to navigate. Your battle with the insurance companies will be almost impossible to fight. There are nuances you may miss on your own like how much your case is actually worth, who is financially responsible for harming you and the lawful amount compensation for your claim. We will review the facts of your case and determine if there is sufficient legal footing for a lawsuit.
With our lawyers at DeMore Law Firm, PLLC, by your side leading the charge, the insurance companies will be more likely to give you a fair offer for compensation and will have to answer to any shady practices. As a victim of a prescription or medication error in New York, you may seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, disability, mental issues and more.
Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve. Contact our attorneys online or by phone at 315-413-7000 for a free case evaluation.