When Do Pharmaceutical Errors Constitute Pharmacy Malpractice?
Medications are an essential part of many people's lives but when errors occur with prescriptions, it can have devastating results. Pharmacy malpractice victims may be entitled to compensation for damages, including medical costs and pain and suffering.
Lynn C. Harris represents people who have experienced pharmacy malpractice in Salt Lake City, UT as well as Provo and surrounding areas. If you believe you're the victim of pharmacy malpractice, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with our law firm today.
What Is Pharmacy Malpractice?
Pharmacy malpractice refers to errors with prescription medications caused by the negligence of a medical professional.
Errors with prescription medication can cause patients harm, sometimes leading to hospitalization or even death.
There are several ways in which errors can occur with pharmaceuticals. Let's take a closer look at some possible examples.
Providing the Wrong Medication
Providing the wrong medication is dangerous and can lead to serious complications. When a pharmacist inaccurately dispenses medication, he or she may be found negligent in a malpractice case.
The wrong medication may be given due to a pharmacist confusing similarly sounding named medications, grabbing the wrong medication, or filling the wrong prescription for the wrong patient.
Sometimes the medication itself may be the right one prescribed for the patient but the wrong dosage may be given.
Failure to Check Drug Interactions
It's common for patients to require multiple medications. For those who take more than one medication, it's important that each is screened for drug interactions to make sure that they are all safe to take together.
When a new medication is added, it's often the pharmacist's responsibility to check the medications for adverse drug interactions. This is especially important when patients have multiple prescriptions from different doctors.
Failure to Communicate Prescriptions Accurately
It's important for patients to understand when and how to take medications. Medication labels must be clear and accurate.
Pharmacists may be found negligent if they fail to properly label a medication, make errors in the use of abbreviations or placement of decimal points or zeroes in prescriptions, or otherwise fail to provide patients accurate prescription information.
Seeking Damages for Pharmacy Malpractice
Those who have been injured due to medication errors may be entitled to compensation for damages, such as lost wages, hospital and rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering through a pharmacy malpractice lawsuit.
It's important for victims of pharmacy malpractice to consult an attorney for their malpractice claim. A pharmacy malpractice attorney can help build a strong case by reviewing medical records and consulting medical experts, along with other investigative tools to demonstrate malpractice occurred, and secure a fair settlement for all injuries.
Schedule a Consultation with Attorney Lynn C. Harris
If you live in or around Salt Lake City and believe you are the victim of pharmacy malpractice, you are encouraged to call the law firm of Lynn C. Harris at (801) 477-8641 to schedule a consultation. Attorney Lynn C. Harris can review the details of your case to determine the best legal course of action for your injuries.
