Medication errors are associated with a range of harmful effects. In some cases, victims experience violent seizures, rashes, difficulty breathing, and other dangerous symptoms. More serious cases lead to overdose and death. Unfortunately, medication errors are all too common in healthcare settings, such as nursing homes. If your loved one has experienced harm from a medication error in a nursing home, then you may be entitled to pursue financial awards.
An Austin medication errors lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will stand up to defend your position and represent both you and your loved ones after an act of nursing home abuse. Medication errors represent forms of nursing home abuse and neglect, and perpetrators deserve to be held accountable for their actions. To learn more about how someone from our team can help you and your loved one navigate the legal system, contact our office today at (800) 842-6336.
Common Causes of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes
A host of factors can contribute to a medication error in a nursing home. However, some common causes are worthy of closer examination if your loved one experiences a medication error. Some causes of medication errors include the following:
Miscommunication Between Medical Professionals
Miscommunication can lead to staff making medical errors. When it comes to medication errors, this is no exception. If a patient in a nursing home sees more than one doctor or caregiver, these parties must be on the same page regarding their medications. Some doctors prescribe a patient a new medicine without communicating this change to another doctor. These seemingly minor errors can result in devastating outcomes.
On a similar note, if a doctor plans to administer a medication to a patient who is already taking other medications, the interactions between these drugs can generate severe harm. Communication among medical professionals is paramount to preventing these kinds of errors. When caregivers, doctors, and nurses fail to communicate a patient’s medication needs in full, then they are subject to a range of severe financial and legal penalties.
Failure to Read a Patient’s Chart
Even in nursing homes with many residents, there is no excuse for a caregiver to give up on reading a patient’s chart before giving them medication. Mix-ups between caregivers and patient charts are all too common, and they can produce errors that cannot be reversed. Caution is key as caregivers can avoid medication errors by paying strict attention to a patient’s chart.
Even in hectic nursing home environments, the facility is responsible for ensuring that their patients’ safety is preserved when administering any prescription medications. When a facility or a caregiver fails to exercise care, they can face severe legal consequences.
A recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University found that medical errors are the third most common cause of death in the United States. Although medication errors only represent one portion of all medical errors, they have the potential to be quite severe in their outcomes. In some cases, victims suffer lifelong injuries and health conditions. Other medication errors may even lead to death.
Similar Medication Bottles
Medication errors sometimes happen due to confusion. When two medications or medication names or bottles look similar, they can cause a caregiver to administer an improper dose or the wrong medication. Federal guidelines exist to regulate the design and appearance of medication bottles to provide clear and distinct differentiation. However, even with these guidelines in place, two bottles of pills that look similar may cause a medication error with irreparable consequences.
As Texas Health and Safety Code §242.001 points out, those who live in nursing homes have the right to their safety. They also have the right to be free from exploitation and other forms of abuse. When an employee or caregiver performs an act of abuse or neglect, such as a medication error, they should be held liable for their actions. Victims of medication errors may qualify to recover many forms of financial awards to cover costs, such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Emergency medical interventions
- Tests and imaging
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation programs
An Austin medication errors lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can represent you and your loved ones after a nursing home staff member made a medication error. Our legal team will investigate the details of your incident and seek to recover any financial awards that you may be owed. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no out-of-pocket costs. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
Statute of Limitations in Texas
If you file a personal injury lawsuit for the nursing home staff member’s medical errors, then make sure you do so within two years of learning about this error, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003.
For a free legal consultation with a Medication Errors Lawyer serving Austin, call (800) 794-0444
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
The aftermath of even a single medication error can leave your loved ones with several health problems. Financial problems can follow these health problems in the form of costly medical bills, ongoing treatments, and recovery programs. Legal complications tend to heighten the stress from these issues and others. When you have a lawyer working to represent your cause, you can place your full energy on recovering from any ill health effects brought about by a medication error.
An Austin medication errors lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will represent you and your loved ones after a medication error. Our team does not back down when a case gets tough, and we are here to fight on behalf of you and your legal rights. To learn more about how someone from our team can serve you and your loved ones during this time, reach out and contact our office today at (800) 842-6336.
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