When a pharmacist makes a mistake, the consequences can be life-threatening, debilitating, or even fatal. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of medications prescribed in the United States, pharmacy malpractice is very common.
Errors can happen when pharmacists are over-worked or distracted, or when pharmacy technicians have a poor understanding of certain medications. If you suffered an injury due to a medication error, a Chattanooga pharmacy malpractice lawyer could support you by helping you pursue compensation for your injuries so that you can focus on recovering. Contact one of our seasoned attorneys today to schedule a consultation.
Common Types of Pharmaceutical Errors
Since there are so many steps involved in getting a prescription medication into the hands of the patient, there are many ways in which a pharmaceutical error may occur. For example, a pharmacist could accidentally refill the wrong prescription, count the dosage incorrectly, or fail to recognize a potential adverse drug interaction.
Other common forms of pharmaceutical errors include:
- Dispensing an incorrect prescription
- Switching two prescriptions or mixing up two patients
- Mislabeling a medication
- Incorrectly mixing ingredients, or adding incorrect ingredients
- Dispensing a drug without the proper license
- Failing to recognize a patient’s drug allergies
These mistakes can happen because of miscommunication, disregard for safety protocols, or an unintentional accident. However the error occurs, patients suffering from a pharmacy malpractice injury have the right to seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Pharmacy Malpractice Injuries
When a pharmacy mistake happens, patients can suffer from medical complications, drug interactions, harmful side effects, and other serious illnesses that could cause long-term damage. On top of that, it may take weeks, months, or years to notice the adverse effects of a pharmaceutical error, which can prolong someone’s injuries and force him or her to pay for expensive medical treatment.
Common types of illnesses and injuries caused by pharmacy malpractice include:
- Allergic reaction
- Hemorrhage
- Organ failure
- Stroke
- Brain damage
- Heart attack
- Birth defects
- Premature death
Establishing a Pharmacy Malpractice Claim
To be eligible for malpractice compensation, a person must first establish that he or she was injured as a result of a pharmacist’s negligence, or that the pharmacist’s poor judgment caused his or her existing condition to worsen. To prove that there are real damages, the individual must also show that he or she was hospitalized or received medical treatment for his or her injuries.
In addition, a victim of pharmacy malpractice must show that he or she took the damaging medication as the pharmacist (incorrectly) prescribed it. It is worth noting that a primary care doctor may have provided the pharmacist with incorrect information, which could mean that the doctor is liable for the pharmacy error. A well-trained pharmacy malpractice attorney in Chattanooga could help the plaintiff establish fault.
Get in Touch with a Chattanooga Pharmacy Malpractice Attorney
If you think you or someone you love was injured by a pharmacy error, it may be important to contact a Chattanooga pharmacy malpractice attorney right away. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is one year, so it is essential you get the legal support you need as soon as possible to begin building your case before that time runs out.
We have the resources, experience, and knowledge required to help you maximize your compensation and ensure you get everything you are entitled to. Call today to schedule a consultation.
