Pharmaceutical Errors

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 makes 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.

Last year, a pharmaceutical error led to the death of a Houston child. She was prescribed morphine sulfate to treat sickle cell anemia but received a medication from the pharmacy that was 10 times the doctor’s recommended dosage. This year, her mother has filed suit alleging pharmacy negligence, and if she wins in court, the family could receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, lost income, and the death of her daughter.

Even if you suffered only 24 hours of injury due to a medication error, it could be worth your time to talk with a legal expert. Vomiting, headaches, nausea, sleeplessness, and diarrhea are common symptoms that could indicate a mistake with your medication. Some of these symptoms are known side effects of certain drugs, so be sure to ask your doctor what side effects you should expect. If you have unusual effects after taking a medicine, you may want to speak to a professional.

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.

About McAleer Law:

McAleer Law—Decatur, Georgia’s preeminent personal injury, worker’s compensation, and Social Security Disability firm—has been representing plaintiffs and injured workers for more than ten years. Specializing in lost wage, medical expense, pain/suffering, lost quality of life, and psychological injury cases, founder Charles McAleer guarantees his clients personal attention, diligence, and unparalleled service quality. For more information on Charles McAleer and the McAleer Law Firm visit www.McAleerLaw.com, “like” McAleer Law on Facebook, or follow @McAleerLawFirm on Twitter.