Towson Medication Error Lawyer
Medication errors are a significant and often overlooked cause of serious injuries and fatalities in the United States. Whether occurring in hospitals, pharmacies, or nursing homes, these mistakes can have devastating consequences for patients. At Hardball Law, we are committed to helping victims of medication errors in Towson and Baltimore County seek justice and compensation for their injuries. Contact our Towson medication errors lawyer for a no-cost, confidential consultation to discuss what happened and learn how we can help.
Common Types and Causes of Medication Errors
Medication errors can happen at various stages of the healthcare process, from prescribing and dispensing to administration. Typical errors include:
- Prescribing Errors: When a healthcare provider prescribes the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or a drug that interacts negatively with another medication the patient is taking.
- Dispensing Errors: Mistakes made by pharmacists, such as giving the wrong medication, providing the drug in the wrong formulation, or giving incorrect dosage instructions.
- Administration Errors: Occurring in hospitals or nursing homes, these errors involve administering the wrong medication, incorrect dose, or improper method of delivery (e.g., intravenous instead of intramuscular, injection instead of oral, etc.).
- Monitoring Errors: Failing to monitor a patient’s response to a medication, leading to adverse effects that could have been prevented with proper oversight.
A breakdown in communication is a leading cause of medication errors. Miscommunication can occur between doctors and nurses in a hospital setting or among co-workers in a skilled nursing facility. Miscommunication can also occur between doctors and pharmacies, or between doctors or pharmacists and the patients.
Medications with similar names or similar shapes and colors can easily be confused, leading to the wrong drug being prescribed or dispensed. Poorly labeled medications or confusing packaging can also result in dispensing the wrong drug or dosage. Additionally, lack of access to a patient’s complete medical history, including allergies and current medications, increases the risk of errors.
The Consequences of Medication Errors
The impact of medication errors can range from mild side effects to severe injuries or even death. Some of the more serious consequences include:
- Allergic Reactions: Administering a drug that a patient is allergic to can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
- Overdose: Receiving too much of a medication can result in an overdose, leading to organ failure, coma, or death.
- Under-treatment: Receiving too little of a medication or the wrong medication can result in the failure to treat a serious condition, worsening the patient’s health.
- Drug Interactions: Combining medications that interact negatively can cause severe side effects, including heart attacks, strokes, or internal bleeding.
Your Rights as a Victim of Medication Errors in Maryland
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a medication error, it’s important to understand your rights. Medical professionals, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities have a duty to provide a standard of care that protects patients from harm. When this duty is breached, and a medication error occurs, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses covering the costs of additional treatment required due to the medication error, as well as compensation for income lost while recovering from the effects of the error. Damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the medication error are recoverable as well. In the tragic event that a medication error leads to a loved one’s death, surviving family members may pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
As with other forms of medical malpractice, Maryland law provides a detailed, technical procedure for pursuing medication error claims. This process includes reviewing the case with a qualified medical expert who can certify that the case has merit and that the patient’s injury was caused by a failure to conform to the applicable standard of care. Special timelines also apply to medical malpractice claims, making it essential to hire a lawyer experienced in this specialized area of personal injury law.
At Hardball Law, we understand the complexities involved in medication error cases. Our experienced personal injury attorney, Susan R. Green, will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the error, consult with medical experts, and build a strong case to hold the responsible parties accountable. We are dedicated to securing the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a medication error in Towson or Baltimore County, don’t hesitate to reach out to Hardball Law. Our team is here to provide compassionate support and aggressive representation. Contact us today by calling 410-494-7400 or submitting our online form for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.