Prescription Errors

Billions of dollars are spent each year on medical research, particularly in the field of pharmaceuticals, in order to find cures and treatments for thousands of diseases. Medical advances such as new prescription drugs are now able to treat conditions that, until recently, were untreatable. However, with the prevalence of new medications has come a rise in the number of prescription errors in the United States. The consequences of taking the wrong drug or the wrong dosage are often devastating for a patient.  

If you or someone you love has suffered serious injury or death as a result of a prescription error, you may be entitled to file a medical malpractice lawsuit to recover your damages. Please contact one of the attorneys at Cline Farrell Christie Lee & Caress today to speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney who can evaluate your case at no-cost and inform you as to your legal rights and options. 

 

Why Prescription Errors Occur

The problem surrounding prescription errors was recently brought to light by a study conducted by the Institute of Medicine. The study found that 1.5 million Americans are injured or killed every year as a result of errors in prescribing, taking, or dispensing medications. In many cases, negligence or wrongdoing on the part of a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, hospital, or other healthcare professional results in prescription errors. Some examples of mistakes that lead to patient injury or death include:

  • Doctor recommends or prescribes the wrong drug
  • Hospital dispenses the wrong medication
  • Wrong dosage is administered
  • Pharmacist misreads the doctor’s handwriting
  • Pharmacist fails to fill the script as written
  • Instructions on the drug's label is misprinted  

Your Legal Rights

If you or a loved one has suffered harm as a result of a prescription error, the law allows you certain rights and options to pursue in order to seek compensation for your losses and suffering. You may be entitled to recover past and future medical bills, lost income or earning capacity, pain and anguish, and more.

If you are interested in a case evaluation and a full explanation of your legal rights, please contact one of the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Cline Farrell Christie Lee & Caress today for a free consultation.  We look forward to hearing from you and we welcome the opportunity to serve and assist you.