Medication Errors

There are numerous medications in common use, many of which do not agree with each other, and some of which can kill you if taken in the wrong amount or under certain conditions. Doctors and pharmacists have an important duty to patients to communicate the risks of medications and how they are to be taken. They are also required to take patient histories that would uncover any reason why a particular medication would be inappropriate for a patient. If you or a loved one is hurt due to a medication error, you should contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at the Dean Law Firm. We serve clients in Ocala, Crystal River, The Villages, and surrounding areas.

The risks associated with medication errors are grave. Injuries, disease, medical complications, and even death can happen because a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist fails to use reasonable care to make sure the right medication is prescribed, taken in the correct dose, and used the correct way. Certain errors are more likely to be caused by a doctor or nurse. These include improperly prescribed medication, failure to take a medical history, or failure to notice that a particular drug cannot be taken with another. Pharmacist errors include giving the wrong dosage or the wrong medication as well as failing to warn of medication risks. These mistakes can arise from bad communication, system errors, understaffing, fatigue, work overload, and inadequate precautions.

A patient in a medical malpractice lawsuit must prove the four main elements of a negligence claim, which are duty, breach, causation, and damages. Health care providers have a special duty of care. Their conduct must conform to the same level of treatment, care, and skill that other reasonably prudent health care providers in the same situation would recognize as appropriate and acceptable. In the context of medication errors, this means that doctors should take histories, including allergy histories, and be aware of the other medications prescribed to a patient to avoid prescribing incompatible medications.

If a health care provider does not live up to the appropriate standard, it may be held liable for the breach in duty. The breach also must cause the injury. It can be difficult to show causation when complications develop, because it can be difficult to show that a particular injury was caused not by an underlying condition but by use of the wrong medication.

In order for you to recover compensation, there must also be actual damages as a result of the medication error, which generally means that you must have suffered economic, physical, or emotional harm. If you or a loved one suffers permanent injury due to a medication error, you may be able to recover not only for medical bills and other objective losses, but also for more subjective injuries such as pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one suffers an injury due to a medication error in Marion, Sumter, Lake, Citrus, or Levy Counties, you may wish to consider pursuing a lawsuit. These kinds of claims may require consultation with nursing and medical experts right away. The Crystal River medication error lawyers at the Dean Law Firm can retain capable experts to assess your records. We also can make sure you have a case before a substantial amount of time is spent pursuing a claim. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your situation, and accept all clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay us anything unless we are successful in your case. Call us at 352-387-8700 or contact us via our online form.