Indianapolis Medication Error Lawyers Pursuing Justice For Patients
Last updated on December 9, 2024
Every year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) receives more than 100,000 reports of alleged medication errors. While not every medication error results in bodily harm, many lead to devastating injuries and, in the worst cases, deaths.
If you were harmed or if someone you love died due to a suspected medication mistake, justice is possible. At Hovde Dassow + Deets, our Indianapolis medication error attorneys provide highly personalized and aggressive legal representation on behalf of victims of all types of medical malpractice and drug errors. We have over a century of combined experience and have secured more than $300 million in compensation for our clients – find out how our team can help you seek the fair recovery you are owed today.
Injured due to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist’s medication mistake? Contact us now at 888-229-1778 for a free consultation.
What Are Medication Errors?
According to the FDA, a medication error is any “preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm.” In other words, any mistake in dispensing, administering, providing or using medication that results in injury or death is a medication error.
Some common types of medication errors include:
- Dispensing or prescribing the wrong medication: This could include providing a patient with a medication not intended for their specific condition or need.
- Administering medication to the wrong patient: This could include giving medication to a patient who does not have a prescription for it or is not intended to receive it.
- Incorrect dosage: This could involve prescribing an overdose or underdose of medication that is harmful to the patient.
- Pharmacy errors: This could include incorrectly filling prescriptions or providing the wrong medication.
- Incorrect administration: This could include administering medication through the wrong route, such as orally instead of intravenously.
- Anesthesia errors: This could include overdose or other errors related to anesthesia administration.
- Failure to anticipate, recognize or respond to adverse drug reactions: This could involve failing to monitor a patient for potential side effects or failing to adjust treatment accordingly.
- Failure to recognize adverse drug interactions: This could include failing to consider potential interactions between medications or other substances.
- Prescribing or administering medications for off-label uses: This could involve a doctor prescribing medication for an unapproved use or administering medication in an unapproved way.
Medication errors can have disastrous effects and may even be deadly. Medical providers who fail to administer, dispense or prescribe medications to patients according to the applicable standard of care can be liable when such conduct leads to patient harm.
Common Causes Of Medication Errors
We trust doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers to have extensive knowledge of medicine and pharmaceutical drugs. However, even highly experienced and trained medical professionals can still make mistakes.
Some of the most common causes of medication errors include:
- Failure to obtain a patient’s medical history, including allergies to certain medications and types of medications the patient is currently taking
- Illegible handwriting on prescriptions
- Misuse of or confusion regarding medication abbreviations
- Lack of communication or poor communication between medical providers or institutions
- Confusing similar medications or mistaking one medication for another
- Insufficient knowledge of medications or medication interactions and side effects
- Failing to recognize signs of adverse drug reactions or interactions
- Failing to properly monitor a patient after administering medication
- Failing to provide patients with adequate instructions regarding medication use
Hospitals, pharmacies and other medical institutions often have various procedures in place that are meant to prevent these mistakes from happening, but they are not always failsafe. If you believe that you or someone you love suffered harm because of a medication error, reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Consequences Of Medication Errors
Medication errors can lead to severe health complications and, in some cases, death. Depending on the type of mistake made, patients may experience:
- Worsened symptoms or health problems
- Deteriorating conditions
- Adverse drug reactions or interactions
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Infections
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Brain damage
- Sepsis
- Respiratory problems
- Skin rashes
- Disfigurement
These and other complications can result in hospitalization (or continued/re-hospitalization), emergency medical treatment, new health problems, serious side effects and death. Victims and their loved ones will also likely experience considerable emotional and mental distress, not to mention significant financial hardships, ranging from loss of income and earning ability to exorbitant medical bills.
Where Are Medication Errors Most Likely To Occur?
Medication errors can occur in different health care settings. As Indianapolis medical malpractice lawyers, we have seen firsthand the devastating effects of medication errors in these settings.
Some common locations where medication errors may occur include:
- Hospitals: Staff may administer medications incorrectly in high-stress environments, including emergency rooms.
- Clinics: Doctors may prescribe and dispense medications quickly, leading to mistakes.
- Pharmacies: Pharmacists may dispense medications incorrectly.
- Nursing homes: Caregivers may make medication errors that constitute nursing home negligence, putting vulnerable residents at risk.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a medication error, it is essential to seek legal counsel from experienced medical malpractice attorneys who can help you go through the legal process and fight for fair compensation while on the road to recovery.
Why You Need A Seasoned Medication Error Lawyer To Protect Your Rights
At Hovde Dassow + Deets, we strive to maximize every single one of our clients’ recoveries. Our Indianapolis medication error attorneys are committed to helping you recover full and fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life and other damages resulting from your health care provider’s negligence. We work with expert witnesses and medical professionals who provide testimony in support of our clients’ claims, and we have the real trial experience needed to effectively advocate for you in the courtroom if necessary.
Call For A Free Consultation
When you turn to us for help with your medication error case, you can trust that you are in good hands. We not only have over 100 years of combined experience, but we also have a solid reputation within our community for providing highly personalized and hands-on legal representation from start to finish.
We have been named as one of seven Tier 1 law firms in Indiana for plaintiffs’ medical malpractice law by U.S. News and World Report. To date, our attorneys have recovered more than $300 million in settlements and verdicts, and we are prepared to fight for you and your family.
To schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation, call 888-229-1778 or contact us online.