Medication errors can cause serious injury or death caused by drug overdoses or side effects. At Bordas & Bordas, we are dedicated to protecting the health and safety of people by holding heathcare providers accountable when their mistakes harm innocent people. The most typical mistakes causing patients harm include prescribing or dispensing the wrong drug, the incorrect dosage amount, and neglecting to identify potential drug interactions.
If you have been injured or a loved one was killed by being given the wrong medicine or the wrong dose of a medicine, contact our compassionate medical malpractice attorneys today for a free initial consultation to discuss your case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, disability, and any other losses caused by the error.
A Pittsburgh medication errors lawyer at our firm has significant experience handling medical malpractice cases and a proven record of success obtaining results for our clients.
Different Types of Medication Errors
There is no standard definition of medication mistakes in the medical or legal fields. However, according to the National Library of Medicine, administering an incorrect medication or dosage carried out by a healthcare professional that causes the patient harm is considered a medication error.
The events may happen while prescribing, administrating, monitoring, packaging, or dispensing. Adequate and ongoing training, standardized medical procedures, and the latest healthcare technology can help medical professionals and facilities protect patients from suffering harm. Some of the most common types of medication errors leading to civil action include:
Anesthesia Errors
Safe management of anesthesia and medication is of the utmost importance. A mistake can quickly turn tragic and may happen during the preparation, administration, or monitoring of the patient. Errors can result in a lack of oxygen, causing brain damage and permanent disabilities or death. Failing to provide a patient with an adequate amount of the drug can also lead to the patient waking up during the procedure and suffering severe trauma.
Failure to Adequately Review the Patient’s Medical History
When physicians or other providers fail to do an in-depth review of the patient’s medical history before prescribing a drug, they can miss possible adverse drug interactions with medications they are currently taking. They can also overlook a history of known allergies to certain medicines. The error can result in the patient suffering severe side effects and preventable harm.
Incorrect Dosing
When an individual receives too much of a medication, they can have serious adverse effects, including overdose, leading to permanent bodily harm or death. Underdosing drugs can be inadequate to treat the disease, allowing it to continue to get worse.
Our Pittsburgh medication error attorneys at Bordas & Bordas provide legal support to individuals impacted by medical negligence.
Investigating the Cause of Medical Errors
An oversight or skipping a step can lead to pharmacists, physicians, or nurses prescribing or administering the wrong medicine and lead to severe consequences. An investigation helps uncover the accident’s cause and the at-fault party.
Medication errors can occur in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices and in pharmacies. Our drug error attorneys in Pittsburgh have the experience to uncover negligent conditions such as communication errors, transcription errors, and pharmacist mistakes. We will seek out the facts to find out how the mistake happened and identify liable parties. Our goal is not only to compensate the victims but also to help prevent similar errors from injuring other people.
Recovering Damages From the Liable Party
Damages in medication error cases include payment for monetary and non-monetary losses and may include:
- Medical costs and ongoing care
- Prescriptions and medical devices or equipment
- Lost income, salary potential, and benefits
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
Hospitals and doctor’s offices are often fast-paced environments. Standard procedures and vigilance are essential. Mistakes can leave patients with severe physical, emotional, and financial harm, and they are entirely avoidable. Therefore, when errors cause harm, the courts will hold the liable party responsible for the damages and losses. A Pittsburgh medication mistake lawyer could help victims seek the compensation they deserve.
Call Today to Speak with a Pittsburgh Medication Errors Attorney
Patients expect they will receive the standard of professional care from certified medical professionals, including an adequate amount of the proper medication. When avoidable mistakes happen, you have every right to take the necessary steps to hold the liable party financially accountable.
Have you or a loved one suffered due to a pharmaceutical error? Contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable Pittsburgh medication errors lawyer. We offer free initial consultations and bill on a contingent fee basis — you won’t have to pay us a thing unless we obtain results for you.
