In the News: Mom Sues Walgreen’s Over Son’s Vicodin Overdose

A Chicago mom is suing Walgreens for negligence over the death of her son, who died of a Vicodin overdose in August 2012. The suit claims that the doctor of John P. Oles, 29, had contacted Walgreen’s in 2010, requesting that pharmacists refrain from filling any prescriptions for Oles received from other doctors. According to the suit, Walgreens responded to the doctor’s warnings of Oles’ drug abuse by making a note in Oles’ file, while contining to fill prescriptions for the young man. Oles received Vicodin prescriptions from Walgreens for the following two years leading up to his death. The suit was filed in the Cook County courts last week. Walgreens has not commented.

More than 1.5 million people are injured each year in the U.S. due to medication errors, and about 7,000 are killed. When doctors or pharmacists make a mistake with prescription medications, the consequences can be fatal. Claims for prescription errors are often based on simple negligence, but can be attributed to professional malpractice. The following are the most common mistakes made by both doctors and pharmacies:

  • Failure to notify patient of possible side effects.
  • Prescribing harmful mixture of medications.
  • Prescribing or supplying inappropriate dosages of a medication.
  • Giving a patient the medication of another patient, or giving a patient the wrong medication.
  • Failure to monitor patient’s condition under certain medications.
  • Pharmacy failure to follow-up with doctor on illegible prescriptions.

Filing a claim for medical negligence or malpractice may help you receive compensation for your injuries and also prevent future injuries. Doctors and pharmacists are responsible for your health and safety. That includes prescribing the correct medications, documenting medical history carefully, and filling prescriptions with the correct medicine and dosage.

If you or a family member has been injured due to a mistake with a prescription medication, contact McAleer Law at 404.MCALEER.