As a patient, it is your right to expect sound and reasonable medical care by doctors in Arizona. This includes accurate diagnosis, a thorough review of your medical history, and prudent prescribing techniques. A medication error in the form of prescribing the wrong drug, writing down the wrong dosage, or administering the incorrect medication could injure or kill an unsuspecting patient.
Prescription drug medication errors are the most frequent and harmful type of medical error. Medication errors are frequent and can result in serious harm or even death to patients. Every day in the United States, at least one person dies from a prescription error that could have been prevented with proper care. Studies estimate that approximately 400,000 prescription errors occur each year in hospitals and 800,000 occur annually in nursing homes and long term care facilities that cause actual harm to patients. These mistakes expose patients to serious health risks that may affect their recovery and future well-being.
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Phoenix medication error Guide
Why Choose Us Our Phoenix Medication Error Lawyers
- Our firm has established itself as a leading personal injury practice in Arizona.
- Our lawyers have experience assisting clients in all facets of medical malpractice law and bring extensive legal experience to complex cases.
- Our firm has extensive legal resources as one of the largest firms in the state.
- Our lawyers engage in one-on-one communication with each client to understand the details of the case.
- Our firm handles medication error claims primarily on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if compensation is recovered.
If you or a loved one experienced a medication error, Gallagher & Kennedy’s Phoenix medical malpractice attorneys can help you protect your rights. Whether your medical outcome worsened or a loved one died because of medical malpractice, you and your family could be eligible for compensation. Many health care providers may avoid admitting fault or paying fair compensation when their errors lead to injuries. Having experienced legal representation can help ensure access to relevant medical records and other critical evidence needed to pursue legal action.
Contact our law office to request a complimentary consultation and discuss your case with a member of our team at our Phoenix office.
Why Call a Phoenix Medication Error Lawyer?
If you believe a medication mistake caused your recent injuries or a loved one’s death, a Phoenix medication error lawyer can help you pursue accountability against a hospital, doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other negligent healthcare professional. Many health care providers will do anything to avoid admitting fault or paying fair compensation for medication errors.
An attorney can determine who should be held liable and held accountable under Arizona law, whether through negotiation or trial. Most reputable Phoenix malpractice attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you do not pay legal fees unless compensation is recovered.
If you wait too long to file a medical malpractice claim, you risk losing your right to recovery due to strict time limits. In Arizona, the statute of limitations for filing a claim against a negligent party is generally two years from the date the injury was discovered.
What Are Medication Errors?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines a medication error as any preventable event that may cause inappropriate medication use or patient harm. Careless medication mistakes can significantly change the course of a patient’s recovery and may lead to adverse side effects, harmful drug interactions, or a worsened prognosis. In severe cases, medication errors can be fatal.
Common causes of medication errors include misreading prescriptions, administering the wrong dose, and failing to review a patient’s medical history. Other medication errors may occur due to failure to communicate critical information or mistakes during preparation or dispensing at a pharmacy. These other medication errors often arise in fast-paced or complex medical environments.
Examples of medication errors include:
- Administering drugs at the wrong time
- Administering the incorrect drug or dosage
- Drug manufacturing or marketing defects
- Failing to check a patient’s medication history before prescribing
- Incorrectly filling a prescription
- Errors during drug preparation
- Mixing up two patients
- Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage
A medication error can result in a potentially fatal adverse drug event, including overdose or internal complications that cause lasting pain. Although improved technology and safety protocols have reduced some risks, negligent practitioners and companies continue to cause preventable patient harm and wrongful deaths.
Do You Have a Medication Error Claim?
The elements of a medication error lawsuit include duty, breach, causation, and damages. A successful claim must establish that a defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty through negligence, and caused injury or illness as a result. Claims are evaluated based on specific circumstances unique to each case.
You must also show measurable damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, or long-term effects that may impact your future quality of life. Arizona law requires a sworn affidavit from a qualified medical expert explaining how a health care provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care before a medical malpractice case can proceed.
Speak to a Medication Error Attorney Today
Recovering compensation for a medication error in Arizona often requires assistance from a medical malpractice attorney due to the procedural and evidentiary challenges involved. An attorney can help you pursue justice through negotiation or a settlement, or by presenting your case in court if necessary.
Before hiring legal counsel, it is also wise to verify that an attorney is in good standing by reviewing the State Bar of Arizona website. To schedule a free consultation and learn more about your rights under Arizona law, contact our office to discuss your situation.