Pharmacists are responsible for making sure that patients receive the right drugs in the correct dosages. Unfortunately, medication mistakes do happen. In fact, it’s estimated that pharmacists make 1.5 million medication errors every year. Receiving the wrong medicine or the wrong dose can cause serious harm. In some situations, a medication error can be fatal.
Have you or someone you love been harmed because of a pharmacy error? You may be entitled to compensation. Contact Citywide Law Group to learn about your legal rights. Our attorneys have more than 15 years of experience handling complex medical malpractice cases, including those involving medication errors. We can help you fight for the money you deserve. Call our Los Angeles office today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.
How Our Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyers Can Help You
You’re not an expert in pharmaceuticals and medication. Your pharmacist is. You trusted that your pharmacist would make sure that you were given the proper medication in the correct dose. Unfortunately, your pharmacist made a mistake and now you’re paying the price. Medication-related injuries can be quite severe and cause a lot of physical, emotional, and financial damage.
You shouldn’t have to deal with the consequences of your pharmacist’s mistake on your own. Filing a lawsuit can help you recover the money you need during this difficult time in your life. While you can pursue compensation on your own, it’s best to work with an experienced attorney.
Here’s why should call our Los Angeles pharmacy error attorneys for help with your medical malpractice case:
- Insurance companies will be more likely to extend a fair offer when you involve a lawyer
- More than one person could be to blame – and financially responsible – for your injury
- You may not know how much your pharmacy malpractice case is worth, and
- Pharmacists and insurers will try to blame you for your own injuries.
You need time to focus on getting better and recovering from your medication error injury. Contact Citywide Law Group for immediate assistance with your pharmacy malpractice case. We’ll fight to make sure that you’re fairly compensated for any harm you’ve suffered.
What is a Medication Error?
It’s estimated that approximately one-third of Americans take 5 or more medications. This means that pharmacists are busy and the risk of error is quite high. We trust that they’ll carefully screen prescriptions, check for possible contraindications, and make sure that the proper drugs are dispensed.
However, medication errors do happen. The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention defines a medication error as “any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer.”
In other words, a medication error is a preventable mistake that (a) results in medication misuse or (b) harms a patient.
Examples of medication errors include:
- Dispensing the incorrect medication
- Dispensing an incorrect dose of a medication
- Failing to identify dangerous combinations of pharmaceutical drugs
- Failing to provide adequate labels and instructions for medication use, and
- Failing to warn of dangers or side effects associated with medication use.
These are mistakes that a qualified pharmacist should never make. These things only occur when a pharmacist is negligent. If you’ve been harmed because of a negligent pharmacist, you may be entitled to comepnsation. Call our Los Angeles pharmacy error lawyers today to learn more.
Pharmacist Negligence and Your Medication Error Injury
Pharmacists are considered medical professionals in the state of California. This means that they’re held to heightened standards. Specifically, pharmacists must exercise the level of knowledge, care, and skill that another reasonably careful pharmacist would use in the same or similar situation.
Simply put, pharmacists have to use their education and training to provide the best possible care for patients. Patients can get hurt when substandard care is provided.
When pharmacists are careless or make mistakes, they breach this standard of care. Failing to satisfy the standard of care is considered negligence under California state law. Negligence can be used at the grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Statute of Limitations for Pharmacy Error Cases in Los Angeles
California law limits the amount of time you have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. In most cases, you must file your claim within three years of the date you suffered your injury.
However, The fact that your pharmacist made a mistake may not be clear right away. In fact, it could take weeks, months, or years to realize that a medication error has been made. Fortunately, California law provides a flexible statute of limitations in pharmacy error cases.
You can have additional time to file a claim if there was a reasonable delay in the discovery of your injury. You’ll have one year from the date of this discovery to begin your legal case.
Consequences of Medication Errors
Medication errors are made in hospitals, pharmacies, and nursing homes across the country. The consequences of these mistakes can be devastating.
Consequences of medication errors can include:
- Allergic reaction
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Blood clots
- Seizure
- Stroke
- Cardiac events
- Paralysis, and
- Death.
Medication is supposed to help you and aid in your health. Getting the wrong medication or the wrong dose can be incredibly dangerous. Do not hesitate to contact a doctor if you begin to experience unusual or frightening side effects while taking medication. A thorough medical evaluation can help to rule out the possibility of medication error.
Damages Available to Victims of Pharmacy Errors
Medication errors can inflict a lot of pain and suffering. You shouldn’t be expected to deal with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a pharmacist’s mistake on your own. The pharmacist must be held fully accountable for the mistakes they’ve made.
In California, victims of pharmacy errors may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Anxiety and depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
Contact our Los Angeles pharmacy error lawyers to find out how we can help you maximize your financial award. We’re here to help you get the money you deserve. Call to get started on your pharmacy malpractice case today.
Need Help?
Pharmacy errors are more common than they should be. Have you been harmed because of a medication mistake? If so, you need to fully understand your legal rights and options. You may have the right to file a pharmacy malpractice lawsuit. Our personal injury lawyers can help to make sure that you’re fairly compensated for your injuries. Call our law firm today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.