Many people rely on prescription drugs to help them feel better after suffering an injury or illness. However, any kind of medicine can quickly turn dangerous if used improperly. Unfortunately, some patients are harmed by medications, not through any fault of their own, but due to the negligence of health care professionals. As reported by The National Center for Biotechnology Information, between 7,000 and 9,000 fatalities occur in the U.S. each year because of medication errors. When an individual falls victim to a prescription mistake, it may constitute medical malpractice, allowing them or a surviving family member to seek compensation. Here is some further insight into these types of claims. 

What to Know About Medication Errors & Medical Malpractice 

How Negligence Occurs 

There are many different ways that prescription drug errors can happen. For example, you may have been prescribed or administered the wrong medication or told to take an inaccurate dosage. Doctors may have failed to warn you of the side effects or ignored how the drug in question would interact with your other medications. If they write the prescription in illegible handwriting, that may also contribute to misinterpretations.

Mistakes can be made anywhere in the supply chain before a medication reaches a patient. Therefore, it’s possible for negligence to be assigned to physicians, nurses, hospitals, pharmacists, and the pharmaceutical manufacturer. 

Potential Consequences of Prescribing the Wrong Medicine 

The consequences of a prescription error can be life-altering for patients and their families. An overdose of medication can lead to brain damage, irreversible harm to internal organs, coma, or death. There is also the potential for a patient to become addicted. If they have a known history of narcotic addiction or are given painkillers for years without being referred to a pain management specialist, a doctor may be found guilty of medical malpractice for continuing to prescribe the medicine. Another major problem with prescription mistakes is that the patient’s condition isn’t being adequately treated.

How to Prove Liability 

Proving medical malpractice can be difficult, so it’s in your best interest not to file a claim without the help of an attorney. You must be able to show what the medical standard of care was under the circumstances, how the health care professional deviated from that standard, and that you or a family member was harmed as a direct result. It’s likely you will need a medical expert to provide testimony on your behalf, explaining the care you should have received.

If you or a loved one has experienced devastating results after taking a prescription drug, contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Salerno & Associates to explore your legal options. With more than 30 years of experience, they have represented numerous clients throughout Douglas County, NE, whose quality of life has been diminished because of a medication mistake. They will fight to protect your rights, including the right to compensation. Call (866) 787-2598 to schedule a free case review or visit their website for more information.