Common Medication Errors That May Be Signs of Medical Malpractice

 Posted on September 24, 2021 in Medical Malpractice

Patients with serious health conditions often require complex medical procedures and precise courses of treatment, and they rely on their health care providers to execute this treatment to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, with so many important details to attend to, it is not uncommon for a medical professional to err, which may result in serious harm to the patient.

One common risk for patients is the potential for medication errors. If you have suffered harm after taking a medication and there is evidence of negligence on the part of a doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider, you may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice claim.

How Do Medication Errors Occur?

A patient’s medication is often handled by several different parties before it is administered, and a variety of errors can occur throughout this process. Some of the most common mistakes include:

• Prescription errors - The doctor or medical professional who prescribes medication may err when writing a prescription, perhaps by listing an incorrect medication with a similar name, or by listing the incorrect dosage or duration. The prescriber could also overlook a medication allergy or an interaction with another medication, or write a prescription based on an incorrect diagnosis of the patient’s condition.

• Dispensing errors - The pharmacist who fills a prescription could also be responsible for a medication error, perhaps due to poor communication with the prescribing doctor, a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the written prescription, or simple carelessness.

• Administration errors - When patients require assistance with the administration of their medication, their nurses and other care providers could err by administering a higher or lower dose than necessary, missing a dose or administering it at the wrong time, administering the wrong medication, or administering medication to the wrong patient.

If you experience an adverse reaction and you suspect that your medication may be the cause, an attorney can help you investigate the circumstances to determine where in this chain of events an error may have occurred. If your medical records indicate that negligence may have been a factor, your attorney can help you identify the responsible parties and represent you in a malpractice claim to hold them accountable.

Contact an Arlington Heights Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical malpractice claims can be complicated, but filing a claim may be the best way for you to get the compensation you need to recover from the adverse effects of a medication error. At Adler Law Offices, LTD, we can help you take the necessary steps to file a medical malpractice claim and pursue fair compensation. Call us today at 312-236-2700 to schedule a free consultation with our Cook County medical malpractice attorney.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519065/

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=073500050K2-622