A Prescription for Injury: Pharmaceutical Error Lawsuits
The lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton fight diligently for the people of Provo, offering expert legal advice and counsel. Their years of combined experience is particularly important for medical malpractice lawsuits involving drugs and medication. When prescribing or administering any sort of medication, doctors need to be especially mindful of their actions. A mistake with regard to drugs or medicine can be fatal, and there are many types of errors that can be made. Failure to Note Patient Allergies and Medical Conditions Before prescribing a drug to a patient, doctors need to consider if the drug will trigger an allergic reaction in a patient, or if the drug will exacerbate an existing medical condition. When a doctor does not note a patient’s medical history and the possible effects of a drug, contraindications like these can be very dangerous, even deadly. Failure to Account for Negative Effects with Other Drugs Many people take multiple medications to address health issues. Certain drugs should never be mixed together as they can cause major health problems. In addition to noting health issues and allergies, contraindications involving combinations of drugs have to be noted. Failure to Provide Proper Instructions for Use When prescribing a drug, doctors should give patients instructions for proper use. Simply noting the amount of times to take pills and the right dosage is important. Doctors can also note side effects that are of interest to patients, particularly if those may involve drowsiness or fatigue. Failure to provide basic instructions about drugs can prove very harmful. Failure to Account for Addictive Properties of a Drug There have been many stories in the news about the abuse of painkillers, opioids, and other kinds of medications. Sometimes this addition leads to dependence on harder drugs, such as heroin. Before prescribing any drug, doctors have to account for the addictive properties of a medication. A drug that may be less addictive may be better for a patient, particularly if the patient has a history of drug addiction or abuse. Nursing Errors and Medications in Hospitals Nurses often administer pills and change IVs in hospitals. A number of mistakes can occur in these cases. The nurse may switch patient medications, which can have major consequences. In other cases, the nurse may administer the wrong drug or the right drug in an improper dosage. Errors Made by Pharmacists Pharmacists have to be held accountable for errors as well. If they file the wrong prescription, provide patients with the wrong medication, or make any mistakes with regard to filling prescriptions and providing the proper drugs, this can lead to serious injury. Issues with the Prescription Drugs Themselves Though not the fault of the doctor, we can potentially take the pharmaceutical company to task for releasing a dangerous and untested/poorly tested drug. It’s unconscionable to put so many people at risk, especially when they are simply trying to get well and lead healthier lives. Corporations must be held accountable for their unjust actions. Speak with the Attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton If you would like more information about your legal options following mistakes in prescriptions and injuries related to medication, be sure to contact our injury accident law firm today. The lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are here to help you in your time of legal need.