Prescription drug errors violate trust and cause harm, sometimes serious harm. Unfortunately, this can be a much bigger problem than most people realize.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health recently published a study showing preventable medication errors impact more than 7 million patients annually, and cost nearly $21 billion across all care settings. Researchers also found that nearly 30 percent of hospitalized patients have at least one drug discrepancy after discharge, and that related injuries are an “underreported” problem.
More research revealed that as many as 9,000 people die from medication errors every year. Errors can be committed by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, caregivers or other health professionals and, although this is by no means an exhaustive list, they may take the form of any of the following:
- Under-dosing or overdosing
- Misdiagnosis or incorrect prescriptions
- Incorrect duration of medication
- Inaccurate frequency of medication
- Expired medications
If you or someone you know has been harmed as a result of a prescription drug error, do not wait to seek medical attention. Nothing is more important than your health, or the well-being of a loved one. Also, keep in mind that you may be legally entitled to compensation.
Unfortunately, mistakes happen in professional health care settings. A thorough review of the facts, however, may point to a medical malpractice event. Several criteria may need to be established to prove a malpractice claim including the following:
- The health care professional had a “duty of care” not to injure you
- The duty of care was negligently breached
- Their negligence was the direct or proximate cause of your injury
- The injury resulted in “compensable damages,” or financial loss
Malpractice injuries do not have to be catastrophic. Temporary harm such as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting may substantiate a claim. Additionally, claims may be made if injuries result in lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. More serious harm can lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions, in compensatory relief.
Your health and safety are the bottom line. This is what is important to us. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a drug error, do not wait to schedule a meeting with a member of our experienced legal team to learn more about your rights in a free case evaluation.