Nobody expects to suffer a serious injury while taking a prescription medication or using an over-the-counter drug recommended by a healthcare provider. However, as an experienced medical negligence lawyer with years of experience serving Ohioans in medical malpractice claims, I can tell you that medication errors happen much more frequently than you think.
If a medication error does cause an injury, I want to help you get the compensation you need. The following are some of the top things to know about medication mistakes and patient injuries.
Medication Mistakes are a Form of Medical Malpractice
There are many different ways in which a healthcare provider can be negligent, putting a patient at risk of serious injury. Medication errors are one common reason for medical malpractice claims. According to the Mayo Clinic, medication errors can be defined as “preventable events due to the inappropriate use of medications.”
While the term “inappropriate use” might seem broad, I can help you understand many of the specific ways that medication errors can occur. For example, prescribing the wrong dosage or wrong medication, filling the wrong dosage or wrong medication, or even prescribing a medication that has interactions with a patient’s existing drug regiment are all examples of medication errors.
Different Types of Healthcare Providers Can Make Medication Mistakes
We often think of doctors or nurse practitioners—those people writing the prescriptions—as the ones who would make a medication mistake. While these healthcare providers certainly can be responsible for medication errors, other healthcare providers can make medication mistakes, as well.
For example, an anesthesiologist might not look at a patient’s chart carefully and may use an anesthetic to which a patient is allergic. Or, a pharmacist can make a medication mistake when filling a prescription.
Patients Can Take Steps to Prevent Medication Errors
The Mayo Clinic explains that patients can take certain steps to help reduce their risk of injury from a medication error. Communication with a healthcare provider is key, as is asking questions.
You should always check to make certain a doctor or other healthcare provider knows the medications you currently take and your drug allergies, and you should ask questions about and confirm drug type and dosage before you take anything. You should also ask questions about possible drug interactions.
Call Me to Discuss Your Injuries and Options for a Medical Negligence Claim
Medication errors happen much too frequently, and patients suffer serious and even fatal injuries as a result. While patients can certainly take preventive steps to help avoid a medication mistake that causes severe harm, it is important to remember that a healthcare provider has a duty to the patient.
If a doctor prescribes a medication that causes a dangerous interaction with a drug she knows you are taking, or if a pharmacist fills the wrong medication, that healthcare provider can be held accountable. I will do everything I can to help you seek financial compensation for your losses. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Give me a call today to learn more about how I may be able to help. You can reach me at 877.944.4373.
