While patients trust hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies to give them their medications properly, mistakes happen. Almost every medication error is preventable through proper training, monitoring, and communication.
However, medication errors can be deadly. Even if the mistake doesn’t cause a permanent issue, it can severely affect a patient’s ability to recover, extending their pain and suffering.
When a medication mistake is made, patients have the right to seek compensation. Click on the links below for more information on some of the more common medication errors, their symptoms, and the injuries they may cause.
Altering or Crushing Medications — Staff making changes to how a medication is delivered can cause major changes in how a patient’s body responds to it. It can also create an uneven dose which won’t deliver the medication to the patient as intended.
Failure to Monitor for Allergic Reaction/Side Effects — When a patient has a severe allergic reaction — also known as anaphylaxis — to medication, a life-threatening situation can develop fast. It’s extremely important that staff monitor patients properly after they’ve taken medication to ensure that any allergic reaction is treated right away.
Improper Storage or Labeling — Medication that is labeled incorrectly carries a serious risk because it can harm multiple patients who unknowingly take something not prescribed to them. If medication is stored improperly because of mislabeling, it can reduce its effectiveness and stability.
Incorrect Dosage — Too much or too little of a medication can have varying effects on a patient, none of which help the patient recover. These types of mistakes are entirely preventable and should not be made by medical staff.
Incorrect Medication — Patients who receive the wrong medication may experience immediate side effects that can range from a minor breathing issue to an allergic reaction, or even death.
Interactions with Other Drugs — When prescribing a medication, it’s critical that doctors and pharmacists understand the other medications a patient is taking. Medical staff must understand how these medications interact and the risks of combining them.
Missed or Skipped Doses — Patients need to take their medication within the prescribed timeframe. Failure to do so can lead to loss of control over the condition, worsening the patient’s symptoms and delaying their recovery. Doubling up a dose is also dangerous as it can increase side-effect risks.
When medical staff fail to deliver medication properly, the results can be disastrous. Insurance companies and hospitals move fast to protect themselves and avoid responsibility. That’s why having an expert with Weisser Law on your side makes all the difference.
These cases can be complex and involve multiple responsible parties. Our team will review your case with compassion and provide clear guidance on your options and who should be held responsible.
Don’t wait, contact Weisser Law today to schedule your free consultation.