Medication can be a great way to manage, treat, and even cure illness. While medication can save a life, it can also jeopardize health if improperly administered. Because medications can be dangerous when misused, there are many agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration that regulate these substances.
Sometimes, elderly residents in a nursing home need other people to help manage and administer their medication effectively. If a medication error occurs, regardless of the cause, the results can be devastating. Examples of medication errors include using the wrong medication, administering an improper dose, or using a medication more frequently than prescribed or not frequently enough. All these errors can cause permanent damage—and can be fatal in some cases.
If you or someone you love was the victim of a medication error, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help. While every situation is different, you could be eligible for financial compensation. Contact a team member today to learn more about your legal options during a free no-obligation consultation.
The Dangers of Medication Errors
When used effectively, medications can be a means to treat diseases, manage health conditions, and even save lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 80% of American adults use at least one prescription medication, with nearly 3 in 10 adults using at least five medications simultaneously. These errors cause nearly 1.3 million emergency room visits annually and cost $3.5 billion in healthcare expenses.
When used effectively, medications can be a means to treat diseases, manage health conditions, and even save lives. Unfortunately, medication errors can occur when a healthcare professional, or person in control of medication administration, misuses the medication in a way that can cause harm to the recipient. for a variety of reasons that are dangerous. Medication errors can lead to the following adverse effects:
- Allergic reactions
- Failure to treat a condition or cure a disease
- Adverse side effects from inadvertent mixing of medications
- Development of new conditions
In severe cases, medication errors can be fatal. Understanding the causes of medication errors can help keep you and your loved ones safe in the future.
Causes of Medication Errors
There are many factors that could contribute to the various forms of medication errors. In some cases, the recipient of a medication may be dependent, relying on others to help them receive the proper dosage and frequency as prescribed by a healthcare professional. An example would be a nursing home resident relying on trained staff members for their daily medical needs. Reasons why medication errors occur include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lack of training or inadequate training
- Lack of knowledge about a medication or class of medications
- Human error in administration such as a misplaced injection
- Overworked or fatigued healthcare professionals
- Misprinted medication labels
- Prescription mistakes by a prescribing medical professional or issuing pharmacy
- Communication errors between healthcare providers regarding medical history
- Negligence
- Intentional error
- Measuring or dosage errors
- Mistakes in frequency of administration
While medication errors can often be due to unintentional mistakes, they still present a serious threat to the recipient of the medication. If you or a loved one suffered from a medication error, your health could be in danger. If a nursing home was responsible, you could be eligible for financial compensation. Call now to speak with a team member at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to learn more about your legal options.
For a free legal consultation with a New York City Medication Errors Lawyer serving New York City, call (800) 794-0444
Negligence and Malpractice
Negligence is the failure to act or react to a situation with the appropriate level of care that can cause harm to others. In medicine, malpractice encompasses an umbrella of behaviors, including negligence, that deviate from the normal protocol or standards of treatment expected of healthcare professionals. Many of the reasons that medical errors occur could be considered a form of negligence or malpractice. Both negligence and malpractice are grounds for legal action, and in many cases, there could be compensation available for victims.
New York City New York City Medication Errors Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Potentially Recoverable Compensation For Victims
Whether you are visiting a doctor, picking up a prescription from a pharmacy, or going about your daily life in a nursing home, you are expecting a certain standard of care from the medical professionals you trust. Even highly trained specialists can sometimes make mistakes, and unfortunately, people can suffer as a result.
Victims of medication errors often experience life-changing consequences. You could be seriously injured, develop a new condition, or continue to live with a health issue you thought was being medically treated. This can take a physical, emotional, and financial toll on you and your family. Sometimes, victims of medication errors choose to take legal action.
Depending on the situation, victims and family members can be awarded compensation for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other forms of damages. During this difficult time, you could be left wondering what you can do to find justice. You may find it beneficial to speak with a New York City medication errors lawyer to discuss your options.
Click to contact our New York City Medication Errors Lawyers today
What You Can Do Next
Discussing your case with a legal professional could be beneficial in understanding your legal options and determining whether legal action is right for you. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is available to answer your questions and help you determine the best course of action. Call today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation with a team member.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
