It seems that everyone is on medication these days, whether it be for high cholesterol or improving mental health. As patients, we entrust our doctors with our health and assume they have the knowledge to prescribe the correct medication for our particular sickness. We trust the pharmacists to dispense the correct medication. Last, we assume that the medications have been made correctly by the manufacturer.
Pharmaceutical errors can have serious consequences, such as allergic reactions, dangerous drug interactions, delayed treatment of the medical condition, organ failure and even death.
Sometimes medication errors occur and we get sick. If this has happened to you, you may be able to file a claim and get compensation for your injuries. You may have high medical bills or may miss work because of your injuries. At the Mann Law Firm, we have been fighting for the rights of our clients for over 50 years. We truly care about positive outcomes for our clients and fight diligently for you. Give us a call today at (478) 742-3381.
Causes of Medication Errors
Despite a generally high level of professionalism in the field of medicine, errors inevitably occur and the wrong drug can cause catastrophic injuries. There are many kinds of medication errors, including:
- Disregarding a patient’s allergies
- Disregarding potential drug interaction problems
- Erroneous diagnosis
- Failing to properly counsel a patient about taking the medication
- Filling a prescription with the wrong dosage of medication
- Filling a prescription with the wrong medication
- Filling a prescription with the wrong patient’s prescription
- Filling a prescription with the wrong quantity
- Illegible handwriting
- Not considering the weight and age of a patient
- Overly medicating a patient.
Incident Rates For Medication Errors
More than 1.5 million people are injured each year as a result of errors made in prescribing, administering and monitoring prescription drugs, according to a study by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. The study suggests there is at least one medication error per hospital patient per day, although error rates vary widely across facilities.
With as many as 12 percent of the handwritten orders for medicine containing errors, it was hoped that the advent of electronic medical records (EMR) would reduce those errors caused by illegible handwriting. To encourage adoption of EMR, the federal government has been offering financial incentives to healthcare providers that move forward with EMR implementation and meet certain EMR requirements.
Who Is At Fault in Medication Errors?
Mistakes can occur at any step of the medication process, from how the medication was ordered from the manufacturer, to how the pharmacy mixed, packaged and labeled the drug, to how it was brought and administered to the patient. Errors in drug administration pose such a risk to patients that these “five rights” of medication use have been unofficially adopted by many healthcare professionals:
- Right medication
- Right patient
- Right dosage
- Right route
- Right time.
Who Can I Sue If I Am Injured Because of a Medical Error?
There are numerous people and entities to file a claim against, but it usually depends on how and where you were injured. Some possible defendants in medication error claims include:
- Medical Staff – If you were given the wrong medication in the hospital, not only can you file a claim against the medical staff, but you have a possible claim against the hospital as well.
- Medication Manufacturer – If you were given the correct medication, but there was a problem with the manufacturing of the drug, you may have a claim against the manufacturer.
- Pharmacy – You may have been given the incorrect medication by the pharmacy. If this happens, you may be able to file a claim against the pharmacist.
Medication Errors & Injury Litigation
At the GA medication error lawyers of the Mann Law Firm, we provide experienced legal representation for people who have been injured as the result of mistakes related to medication. If you have lost a loved one or had a loved one get seriously ill as a result of a medication error, take the time to discuss your case with us by calling (478) 742-3381 or by filling out our online form.
We will listen to your concerns, carefully analyze any possible legal claims and advise you of your rights. We help our clients pursue compensation for past and future medical expenses, loss of potential income, disability, emotional trauma, and more. Schedule a free and confidential consultation with us today to find out how we can help you.
Attorney David Mann
Before leading his own firm, Mann served for several years as in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, which gives him unique insight into how insurance companies work. He uses this critical knowledge as an advantage for his clients. He is a tough negotiator and litigator, and he is exceptionally strategic in building cases on behalf of personal injury victims.[ Attorney Bio ]
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