Suffolk County Prescription Error Lawyer

The decision to fill a prescription can have a major impact on your life. Busy hospitals and pharmacies do their best to provide excellent care, but even stellar professionals can make mistakes. Prescription errors occur in many situations, and New York law treats them as a type of medical malpractice.

If you were the victim of one of these errors, you have options. A Suffolk County prescription error lawyer can provide guidance for the next steps. These are some key facts every victim should know before hiring a medical malpractice attorney.

What Is a Prescription Error?

A prescription error is a preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or harm to a patient. Prescription errors, including ordering, dispensing, or administering the incorrect medications, can have long-term impacts. Additionally, these errors are different from adverse drug reactions, which are not preventable. Errors are entirely preventable.

Several types of prescription errors are more common than others. They may include:

• Wrong drug dispensed - For instance, Hydralazine given to the patient instead of Hydroxyzine, leading to serious side effects
• Wrong dose dispensed - Adding an extra zero to a script could lead to major health issues or even death
• Wrong medication route or orders - A nurse may administer an oral medication intravenously
• Omitted medication - A discharge instruction may fail to mention a specific drug that could prevent ongoing symptoms
• Failure to check drug allergies or interactions - Combining certain drugs could lead to side effects such as internal bleeding

Each of these issues should be taken seriously, as they can all lead to major health issues.

Why Prescription Errors Happen

Prescription errors are more common than you might think. Often, these errors are related to human factors, such as confusing one drug name with a similar one. In other cases, system errors are to blame, in which somebody selected the wrong option on a computer or somebody failed to properly double-check the medications.

Communication gaps between the prescriber, pharmacist, and nursing staff are another major concern, leading to mistakes. Of course, corporate cost-cutting measures, like understaffed hospitals and pushing technicians to perform pharmacist duties, are also a major problem. This means that parties who may be held liable include physicians, pharmacists, hospitals, clinics, and corporations. A lawyer in Suffolk County could account for everyone who is liable for a prescription error.

Recovering Damages After a Pharmacy Error

After a pharmacy error, one of the best steps to take is to pursue damages in a legal setting. For example, a victim may pursue economic damages to receive compensation for hospitalization, revision surgery, future health care, and lost wages. Non-economic damages may include pain, lost enjoyment of life, and wrongful death.

In order to recover damages, victims should first seek emergency medical care. After receiving treatment, victims should preserve all evidence, including medication bottles and prescriptions. The next step is to speak with a Suffolk County prescription error attorney.

Consult With a Suffolk County Attorney Right Away About a Prescription Error Claim

As soon as you know that you are the victim of a medical mistake, you should seek assistance from an attorney. A Suffolk County prescription error lawyer with a strong track record of handling similar cases can help you prepare for trial and work through any challenges that may arise.

Prescription errors are preventable. If you were the victim of one of these errors, consult with a lawyer today. You can build a strong case and pursue compensation for your injuries.