(845) 802-0047According to a recent national report prepared by the Institute of Medicine, between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths occur in the United States each year due to medication errors in hospitals alone. Medication errors are typically the result of medical malpractice in prescribing or dispensing medications. When prescription drug errors occur, patients may suffer serious injuries and even death. If you were injured because of a medication error, an experienced Albany medication error lawyer can meet with you to discuss your case and any potential settlement negotiations or court proceedings that might be warranted. Read on to learn more about how a dedicated injury attorney could offer you their assistance today.
Who Holds Liability?
In most cases, doctors, pharmacists, and hospitals are responsible for medication errors. These types of errors are particularly prominent in a fast-paced emergency room setting, where doctors generally try to move quickly out of medical necessity. In general, medication errors boil down to a doctor or pharmacist prescribing the incorrect medication, dispensing the incorrect medication, or dispensing the wrong dosage of the correct medication.
This may occur due to a number of factors, including miscommunication between the doctor and pharmacist, failing to recognize or consider a patient’s drug allergy or drug interactions, or confusing drug packaging. While these errors are generally not malicious in nature, medical professionals are nonetheless responsible for preventing them and are potentially liable for any injuries or negative effects suffered by patients if they fail to do so. Reach out to a reliable injury attorney to learn more.
Proving a Case
In an Albany medication error case, the injured patient has the burden of proving negligence on the part of their health care provider. The standard of care for a typical medical professional is that of a reasonable health care provider acting under the same or similar circumstances. In the context of prescription drugs, this means that the health care provider must be acutely aware of and appreciate a patient’s allergies and past medical conditions, as well as potentially harmful drug interactions.
When health care providers deviate from the applicable standard of care, an injured patient may be able to prove medical negligence or medical malpractice on the part of that health care provider. In addition to proving a breach of the duty of care, the injured patient must also prove that the healthcare provider’s negligence directly resulted in certain injuries and damages. Know that a weathered Albany medication error lawyer can be a significant asset in this process.
How an Albany Medication Error Lawyer Can Help
Medication errors can result in serious and debilitating side effects, injuries, and even death in the most serious cases. In almost all medication error cases, the injured patient will need the medical testimony of a third-party physician or other health care provider who can demonstrate that an error was made. A seasoned Albany medication error lawyer could assist you with retaining a medical professional for your case, negotiating settlement offers, and litigating or trying your case in court if a reasonable offer cannot be reached. If you wish to pursue compensation for your injuries, reach out to a determined Albany medication error lawyer today for an initial consultation.