A medication error is a type of medical malpractice that can have serious consequences for the victim. Many types of medication errors go unnoticed until the patient has suffered adverse health effects, such as an injury, worsened condition or death.
If you believe you or someone you love has suffered from a medication error, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Roden Law to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with our Savannah medication error lawyers.
We will inform you of what you need to prove to bring a valid medical malpractice claim against a negligent health care provider. Our attorneys work only on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we recover compensation for you.
What is a Medication Error?
A medication error is a mistake made by a health care provider when administering, monitoring or prescribing a drug to a patient. Medication errors can occur during a surgery, standard medical procedures or when a patient is supplied drugs at a pharmacy.
Medication errors that are medical malpractice cause harm to the patient and can result in serious injury or death, including:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Organ damage or failure
- Traumatic brain injury
- Respiratory issues
- Incontinence
- Overdose
- Addiction
- Allergic reactions
- Low blood pressure
- Psychological problems
- Worsening of existing health issues
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Medication Error?
A medication error can occur at every stage a patient receives medical treatment. Because of this, nearly every type of health care provider can be held liable for a medication error. This includes:
- Surgeons
- General practitioners
- Specialist physicians
- Physician assistants
- Registered nurses
- Hospital staff
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacy technicians
Types of Medication Errors
There are several reasons why health care providers commit medication errors. However, the most common cause of medication errors is negligence. This includes:
- Failing to warn the patient about a medication’s side effects
- Providing the patient with the wrong instructions for taking the medication
- Prescribing the patient with a type of medication he or she is allergic to
- Failing to read the patient’s medical records to see if he or she is prescribed other types of medications that would harmfully interact with his or her other medications
- Prescribing the wrong dose of the medication
- Providing the patient with the wrong type of medication or wrong dose to the patient
- Failing to monitor the patient to see if the medication causes adverse health effects
- Administering medications incorrectly
Proving Medical Negligence
For a medication error lawsuit to be valid, several conditions must be satisfied to meet the requirements for medical malpractice:
- Doctor-patient relationship: A health care provider agreed to diagnose or treat your condition. In the case of a medication error, the health care provider agreed to prescribe the drug and the dosage you must take.
- Breach of duty: The health care provider failed to treat you within the standards held by the medical community. In the case of a medication error, the health care provider failed to exercise reasonable care to prescribe you the correct type of medication, administer you with the proper dosage, or gave you a medication he or she should have known would have adverse effects.
- Causation: The patient’s injury, worsened condition or death was caused by the health care provider’s medication error. This can be difficult, as you must prove there was a causal link between the health care provider’s negligence and the patient’s condition. A qualified Savannah medical malpractice lawyer will gather the evidence necessary that connects your injury to the medication error.
- Damages: The patient suffered monetary damages as a result of the medication error. This can include medical expenses for additional treatment and loss of income from missing work due to your injury.
Contact Roden Law Today
If you have been harmed due to a medication error, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Roden Law, our Savannah personal injury lawyers are qualified to handle many types of negligence claims. We will carefully review your medication error claim to help you determine if you or your loved one has suffered an injury due to a negligent health care provider.
Contact us today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. We work only on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we help you recover compensation.