Medication Errors
Medication errors are preventable mistakes with serious and life-changing consequences. Approximately 1.3 million people are victims of medicine errors in the United States each year. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates serious medication errors occur in at least five to 10 percent of patients admitted to hospitals.
Medication errors occur when a medical professional administers the wrong type or dose of medicine. The medication may also be administered in an improper manner. All these medication errors can result in serious personal injury or illness.
Medication errors may involve a pharmacist or hospital where an individual stays overnight. Often, the individual is being treated by multiple professionals, including doctors, nurses, CNAs and specialists. But medication errors also occur on regular appointments to primary care doctors and other physicians.
There are three main causes of medication errors, whether at a large Boston hospital or a small family physician's office: incompetence, poor training and/or a handwritten system for keeping medical records.
While the federal government has tied the adoption of electronic medical records to grant eligibility starting in 2011, many
If you are a victim of a medication error, you need an attorney experienced in obtaining information from doctors and medical institutions and one with access to a deep network of medical professionals to evaluate your claim.
Breakstone, White & Gluck of Boston has over 80 years combined experience handling
Case Results
Learn more about Breakstone, White & Gluck's record of success for victims of medication errors from our Case Results page.
Medical Malpractice - Medication overdose, wrongful death. $2 million. Read more.
Negligent Prescription of Anti-Anxiety Medication - Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, permanent scarring. $550,000. Read more.
Medication Errors in the Elderly. The elderly often rely on others to administer their medication. These people may include family members, home health aides, nurses, doctors, pharmacists and nursing home staff. Nursing homes can be especially dangerous because staffers have a large number of residents under their care. One study showed one of nearly 10 nursing home patients suffered a medication related injury.
Medication Errors in Children. Children should never be responsible for taking medicine themselves. This should be left up to a parent, nanny, daycare provider, school nurse, doctor or hospital nurse. This process should be carefully monitored and documented. Children are not as knowledgeable about their medicine as adults and are unable to speak up if they believe
Who is Liable in Medical Error Cases
What To Do If You or a Loved One Are the Victim of a Medication Error.
First, if you are still under the care of the medical professional or hospital responsible for the medication error, assess your options for leaving the facility. Is it safe or does it pose a health risk? If it's safe, find another physician. If you have any doubts, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney to help you negotiate the move smoothly.
If you are out of harm's way, gather as many records as possible related to the medical care. As the patient, you will likely only have a portion of the records. Under
