We take medicine to heal, but when the wrong drug or the wrong dose is administered, the results can be catastrophic. Medication errors are among the leading causes of preventable patient harm in the United States, occurring in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and local pharmacies.
At The Injury Advocates, we believe that a “simple mistake” at the pharmacy counter or on the hospital floor shouldn’t cost you your health. If you’ve been injured by a medication error, here is what you need to know about your rights.
1. Common Types of Medication Negligence
Medication errors aren’t just about getting the “wrong bottle.” They can happen at several stages:
- Prescribing: A doctor prescribes a drug that reacts dangerously with a medication you are already taking.
- Administration: A nurse gives a patient 10mg of a drug instead of 1mg due to a decimal point error.
- Labeling: A pharmacist puts the correct pills in the bottle but provides the wrong instructions for how often to take them.
- Failure to Check Allergies: A medical team administers a drug (like Penicillin) that is clearly listed in your chart as an allergy.
2. Who Is Responsible?
One of the reasons these cases are complex is that multiple parties could be at fault. Depending on where the error happened, the liable party might be the physician, the hospital, or the pharmacist. The Injury Advocates specialize in tracing the paper trail to find exactly where the safety protocol failed.
3. Proving the Damage
To have a successful claim, we must show that the medication error led to actual injury. Taking the wrong pill for one day with no side effects is a “near miss,” but it likely isn’t a legal case. However, if that error led to an allergic reaction, organ damage, or a prolonged hospital stay, you have a right to seek compensation for your medical bills and suffering.
Don’t Let a Pharmacy Error Go Unchecked.
If you suspect you were given the wrong medication, keep the bottle, the receipt, and any remaining pills. Then, call The Injury Advocates. As your Personal Injury Lawyer, we will hold the negligent parties accountable.
