Medication errors are a common type of medical malpractice. It is estimated that medication errors kill nearly 9,000 people each year in the United States.
Medication errors are often the result of a medical provider’s recklessness or negligence. The most prevalent medication error is the administration of an incorrect dosage of medicine.
The following article offers valuable information about the dangers of medication errors. It also suggests tips to protect yourself and your family from common medication errors.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one due to a medication error, you may qualify for injury-related compensation. Contact an experienced Louisville medical malpractice attorney to learn your legal rights and options.
Common Types of Medication Errors
Patients must know common types of medication errors to recognize these potentially fatal mistakes when they happen.
Medication errors include but are not limited to:
- The doctor prescribing the wrong medication to the patient;
- The pharmacist incorrectly filling the doctor’s prescription for the patient;
- The doctor or pharmacist administering a drug to the patient without recognizing significant interactions with the patient’s current medications;
- The doctor or pharmacist providing the right drug but the wrong dosage information to the patient; and
- The doctor or pharmacist failing to notify the patient of side effects associated with a drug.
Not only may doctors and pharmacists be liable for medication errors, but so may nurses, pharmacy staff, clinics, drug manufacturers, and anyone else in the prescription drug supply chain.
The Dangers of Medication Errors
The dangers of medication errors are extensive. Medication errors kill thousands of people every year and adversely affect even more. It is estimated that more than $40 billion is spent annually treating victims of prescription medication errors.
Medication errors may cause:
- Wrongful death;
- Birth defects;
- New or extended hospitalization;
- Disability; and
- Life-threatening conditions.
The expense of treating a medication error can devastate a patient’s finances. This can make a successful medical malpractice claim vital to a patient’s physical, mental, emotional, and financial recovery.
Damages Available in a Medication Error Claim
Monetary damages in a medication error claim typically include compensation for current and future accident-related medical treatment. They may also cover the following:
- Loss of income;
- Loss of earning potential;
- Emotional trauma; and
- Pain and suffering.
No two medication error claims are the same. To find out what your claim may be worth, contact an experienced Kentucky medical malpractice attorney.
Protect Yourself and Your Family from Medication Errors
Medication errors are largely preventable. Protect yourself and your family from fatal mistakes at the doctor’s office, hospital, or pharmacy by:
- Keeping a complete list of current medications and dosages with you at all times;
- Have the doctor, nurse, and clinical staff review your prescriptions;
- Notify your doctor and nurse about any allergies to medications;
- Ask your doctor about potential side effects and risks of new medications;
- Verify new medications and dosages with your doctor; and
- Ensure new medications and dosages are the same as prescribed by your doctor when you receive them at the pharmacy.
If you suffer serious injuries from a medication error, call a specialized medication error attorney in Louisville to schedule a consultation.
Contact an Experienced Kentucky Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
Learn more about medication errors and qualifying for a Kentucky medical malpractice lawsuit by contacting Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd & Conway, PSC. We are award-winning Louisville attorneys with the resources and knowledge needed to take on doctors, hospitals, and drug companies.
There are no upfront costs to retain our services. At Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd & Conway, PSC, we work on a contingency fee basis. We only get paid when we win compensation for you.
Schedule your complimentary claim review with Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd & Conway, PSC, at 502-244-7772. We look forward to hearing from you today!