(845) 802-0047Prescription and over-the-counter medications have greatly improved the health of Americans over the last century by helping to fight widespread disease, ease discomfort, and prevent the occurrence or exacerbation of diseases. However, there are risks to modern medicine as well, one of which is medication errors.
As reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Patient Safety Network, almost one-third of adults in the U.S. take five or more medications. Additionally, there are over 10,000 prescription medications on the market. These numbers could increase the incidence of medication errors.
If you believe you were adversely affected by a medication because of another party’s negligence, a Poughkeepsie medication error lawyer could help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney could use their knowledge of state laws related to malpractice to help you obtain justice for the wrongs you have experienced.
Understanding Medication Errors
Medications are usually prescribed with specific dosage and administration instructions, as well as drug interaction warnings. When one or multiple things go wrong with these factors, a medication error can occur.
Medication errors can happen at any part of the healthcare process and could be caused by a single medical professional or many. For example, a medication error may occur if a doctor uses the wrong patient’s weight to determine the amount of medication a child patient should receive. An error may also arise if a pharmacist or pharmacy technician applies the wrong medication label.
The most frequent causes of medication mistakes include:
- Misdiagnosis
- Miscalculating medication doses
- Incorrect drug administration
- Poor communication between medical staff such as doctors and nurses
- Failure to provide patient education
- Failure to order the proper medicine
Any of these situations could warrant seeking legal assistance from a Poughkeepsie medication error lawyer. If a patient is unsure of whether their situation merits legal action, speaking with an experienced attorney could provide clarity.
Laws Preventing Medication Errors
The consequences of a medication error can range from minor sicknesses to serious medical conditions, loss of limb, or even death. The state of New York recognizes how serious medication errors can be and has set several requirements for pharmacies to help prevent these types of mistakes from occurring.
New York Codes, Rules and Regulations § 405.17 mandates that pharmacies have a quality assurance program that minimizes or mitigates medication errors in accordance with standards of pharmacy practice. Furthermore, this statute requires pharmacies to have policies and procedures for documenting, reviewing, and reporting medication errors.
Speak with a Poughkeepsie Medication Error Attorney
Although there are several safeguards in place within the medical and pharmacy fields to prevent mistakes, medication errors can and still do happen. These errors can cause additional pain, health complications, long-lasting issues, and even the need for on-going medical oversight. As a result, a patient may incur additional medical expenses as well.
If you were negatively impacted by a medication error, a Poughkeepsie medication error lawyer could help you seek compensation for your damages. Call today to find out how experienced attorneys approach medication errors cases to help victims like yourself.