The severity of prescription drug errors by doctors, clinics, and pharmacies cannot be overstated. Errors can result in the wrongful death of one or more patients and subsequently complex malpractice lawsuits. Here are a few of the types of prescription drug errors and how they pertain to Nevada laws and regulations. If you believe you were a victim of a prescription drug oversight, contact a lawyer immediately.

What Are the Different Types of Prescription Drug Errors?

1. Incorrect Dosage Administration

Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who give patients incorrect prescription drug doses can be liable in the Nevada courts. Patients given too little or too much medication due to issues such as faulty decimal placements and poor handwriting can result in numerous health complications, such as heart palpitations and overdoses. Patients or their families who file malpractice cases with a lawyer due to incorrect dosage administration need affidavits—or documents from medical professionals supporting their claims—to avoid case dismissals in Nevada courts.

2. Mislabeling

Drug manufacturers and pharmacists sometimes mislabel medications, resulting in patients taking the wrong medication or the wrong dosage. Mislabeling is a product liability rather than malpractice case. According to Nevada product liability laws, the drug must be taken as per manufacturer instructions to make a claim. Product liability cases in Nevada must also be filed within the four-year statute of limitations.

3. Incorrect Drug Administration

Administering the incorrect drugs to patients can result in severe allergic reactions, some of which are fatal. Providing the wrong drug is either a malpractice or wrongful death case and as with incorrect dosage administrations, requires filing an affidavit to move forward in the Nevada courts. The state also puts limitations on the amount of noneconomic damages a person can request. This maximum is set at $350,000.

4. No Side Effects Review

Nurses and physicians who fail to review all potential prescription drug side effects with patients are also potentially liable in malpractice or wrongful death cases, assuming the affected individual or family adheres to Nevada case filing regulations. Health care professionals must outline each possible effect, including how the drug interacts with other medications, substances, beverages, and foods, to avoid liability. 

If you believe you have a prescription drug-related claim, contact the lawyers at Goicoechea, DiGrazia, Coyle, & Stanton. The legal professionals have served clients throughout Elko County, NV, since 1976, offering dedicated counsel for personal injury, wrongful death, and other civil litigation cases. Call the lawyers at (775) 738-8091 today to schedule a consultation, or visit their website for practice area details.