Medication errors happen when a mistake is made in prescribing, dispensing, or giving medications, and they injure thousands of people each year
People depend on their medications to treat or manage their illnesses and health conditions, but what happens when something goes wrong? Medication errors happen when a mistake is made in prescribing, dispensing, or giving medications, and they injure thousands of people each year. These errors can go undetected until the patient develops more adverse health effects. In some cases, victims of medication errors can bring a lawsuit against a negligent doctor or medical professional. Here are some important facts about medication errors.
What is a Medication Error?
In the majority of cases, medication errors are caused by human error. Perhaps your pharmacist misunderstood an order over the telephone or entered the wrong drug into the computer system. Or you received the wrong dosage or incorrect instructions for taking your medications. Knowing that mistakes are possible means medical professionals should have systems in place to stop errors. Some types of medication errors include:
- Not warning the patient about a medication’s side effects
- Providing the wrong instructions for taking the medication
- Prescribing the patient with a medication that they are allergic to
- Failing to check if the drug interacts with another medication the patient is already taking
- Prescribing the wrong dose or wrong type of the medication
Proving Negligence
A medication error won’t lead to a catastrophic or permanent injury in many cases. When determining if you have a medication error lawsuit, it’s essential to ensure that your claim meets specific requirements.
- Breach of standard of care: When the medical professional doesn’t exercise reasonable care when prescribing, administering, or giving you a medication they should have known would have adverse effects.
- Causation: When the patient’s condition or injury is caused by the healthcare provider’s negligence. Proving the link between the doctor’s negligence and the patient’s condition can be difficult.
- Damages: You must also be able to prove you suffered monetary damages due to the medication error. This can include expenses for additional treatment and lost wages from missing work due to your injury.
Contact Snyder Law Group Today
If you have been injured due to a medication error, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Snyder Law Group, our medical malpractice lawyers are qualified to handle various negligence cases. We will carefully review your claim to help you determine if you have suffered an injury due to a negligent health care provider. Reach out today for a case evaluation.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, or call us at 410-843-3476, for more information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.