Prescription and over-the-counter medications are among the most powerful treatments for many medical conditions, so mistakes with administration can lead to serious consequences for a patient. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), between 7,000 to 9,000 people die every year because of medication errors. Plus, around 7 million individuals are affected by mistakes with drug administration, either through their own health care or witnessing someone else’s. If you or a loved one suffered harm, it is encouraging to know that you have legal options under New York law.
Medication mistakes are a type of medical malpractice, so it is possible to recover monetary damages for your losses. Because the claims process is extremely complicated, you should rely on skilled legal counsel for assistance. At Poltielov Law Firm P.C., our team has extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the laws, so we are ready to pursue a negligent health care provider. Please contact us to schedule a no-cost case review with a New York medication error lawyer, and read on for some important information.
Common Causes of Drug Administration Errors
While the specific reasons may vary, medication mistakes typically occur because a health care provider breached the medical standard of care with drug administration. Physicians have a legal duty to ensure the right patient, medication, dose, route, and time. Mistakes may be the result of:
- Failures with drug monitoring;
- Mishandling patient charts and documentation mistakes;
- Medical misdiagnosis;
- Neglect with prescribing the proper medication, especially considering the fact that many drugs have similar spellings;
- Improper use of computerized provider order entry (CPOE); and,
- Failing to check for drug interactions.
Consequences of Medication Errors
Because these drugs are so powerful in treating ailments, mistakes with administering drugs can lead to serious harm for the patient. For instance:
- The wrong medication may cause liver damage and kidney failure.
- When a patient is not provided with the proper drugs, the medical condition is not being treated and could become worse.
- An overdose of certain medications can be lethal.
- Administering drugs to children requires careful consideration of weight and age, and errors may lead to serious injuries.
Legal Help with Medication Error Lawsuits
At Poltielov Law Firm P.C., our New York prescription errors attorneys are dedicated to tackling all tasks required to pursue a medical malpractice claim. You can count on our team to:
- Investigate and gather evidence;
- Meticulously review your medical records;
- File a medical malpractice insurance claim;
- Attempt to negotiate settlement with the insurer;
- Represent you during mediation; and,
- Take your case to court if the insurance company refuses to pay fair compensation.
It is our goal to ensure you receive amounts for your medical costs, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Speak to a New York Medication Error Lawyer About Legal Options
As you can see, medical malpractice claims are extremely complex. To learn how we can help with your claim, please contact Poltielov Law Firm P.C.. We are happy to set up a free consultation with a New York medication mistakes attorney who will advise you on your rights.