Medication Errors

Medication Errors

Maryland Medical Malpractice Lawyer Explains Legal Recourse for Victims

Medication in blister packs, signifying medication error and medical negligence.Prescription medications and drugs have been instrumental in the clinical treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions. From alleviating pain to treating serious diseases, medications allow medical professionals to improve the health, happiness and longevity of patients. Although it is widely known that prescription medications and pharmaceutical products pose some inherent risks to those that use them, physicians and other medical professionals are still required by law to ensure that their patients are kept free from preventable harm caused by medication errors.

As medical malpractice requires that health care providers meet certain standards of duty, they can be held accountable for their failures to provide expected and / or reasonable care. For example, when a physician fails to act as most health care professionals in the same situation would act when prescribing or administering medications, they can be held legally responsible for any damages their patients suffer.

Common Examples of Medication Errors

The Division of Medication Error Prevention and Analysis (DMEPA), an organization governed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, defines medication errors as “any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm.” This means that any error that could have been prevented had appropriate care and caution been exercised is sufficient grounds for legal action against the negligent or careless health care provider. Some common examples of medication errors include:

  • Prescription Errors
  • Failures to inform patients of risks
  • Using an incorrect dose of medication
  • Improper or unsafe administration of medication
  • Anesthesia errors
  • Using the incorrect medication

One of the key elements in pursuing claims of medical malpractice for medication errors is proving that these errors were preventable. When it can be clearly and convincingly shown that a medical professional failed to act in accordance to accepted professional standards and that this failure resulted in a medication error and damages to a patient, victims have the right to pursue legal recourse. At Peter Angelos Law, our medical malpractice lawyers have devoted their careers to handling the complexities involved in litigating medical malpractice claims and we are prepared to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation to Learn More

Just as with any medical malpractice claim, medication error cases are filled with highly technical medical and legal information. With years spent refining the strategies needed to hold negligent medical professionals liable for the damages they caused patients, our legal team knows how to handle even the most complex medical malpractice cases.

If you would like to learn more about medication errors, or if you would like discuss your unique situation with a medical malpractice lawyer, contact us today.