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Kentucky Medication Error Lawyers
Injured by a medication mistake? Talk to our Lexington & Louisville attorneys today
Medication errors are a serious issue in healthcare settings, often resulting in significant harm to patients. These errors can occur at any stage of the medication process—from prescribing to administering—and may involve incorrect dosages, wrong medications, or failure to recognize potential drug interactions or allergies. At Crandall & Pera Law, our Kentucky medication error attorneys understand the profound impact that medication mistakes can have on patients' health and well-being.
From prescription errors in hospitals to mistakes in nursing homes and pharmacies, medication errors can lead to severe consequences for patients. Factors such as miscommunication between healthcare providers, inadequate training, illegible prescriptions, or failure to review a patient's medical history thoroughly all contribute to these errors. Our team is dedicated to advocating for patients who have suffered due to medication errors, utilizing our expertise to build strong cases that highlight where and how the error occurred. We work closely with medical experts to evaluate the standard of care provided and to demonstrate the impact of the error on our clients' lives. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a medication error, our firm is here to provide compassionate support and assertive legal representation to seek justice on your behalf.
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What is a medication error?
The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention defines medication errors as follows:
A medication error is 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. Such events may be related to professional practice, healthcare products, procedures, and systems, including prescribing, order communication, product labeling, packaging, nomenclature, compounding, dispensing, distribution, administration, education, monitoring, and use.
Medication errors can result from various factors such as communication breakdowns, inadequate training, fatigue, distractions, or system failures within healthcare settings. Regardless of the cause, they can lead to serious harm or complications for patients, ranging from minor effects to severe illness, disability, or even death.
What are some examples of medication errors?
Medication errors can occur at various stages of the medication process and can involve a wide range of mistakes that compromise patient safety. Here are some common examples of medication errors.
Prescribing errors
Providers may prescribe the incorrect medication due to a mix-up in drug names or confusion between medications with similar names. Prescribing an inappropriate dosage, whether too high or too low for the patient's condition or weight, can lead to complications like overdoses. Failing to include essential information such as dosage instructions, frequency, or duration of treatment may lead to incorrect administration or dosages and resulting harm.
Dispensing errors
Even when the dosage is correct, it is possible that a provider or pharmacist will dispense a medication different from what the healthcare provider prescribed. Mislabeling medication containers or packaging may lead to confusion during administration. Placing medications in containers that look similar can increase the risk of errors.
Administration errors
Administering medication to the wrong patient due to patient misidentification or confusion between patients is extremely dangerous. Another potential issue occurs when providers administer medication via the incorrect route (e.g., intravenous instead of oral). This mistake can affect drug absorption and effectiveness. Administering medication at the wrong time or interval may disrupt the therapeutic effect or cause unintended side effects.
Monitoring errors
Neglecting to monitor patients for adverse reactions or therapeutic effectiveness after medication administration can result in overlooked reactions or worsening conditions. Misinterpreting laboratory results or vital signs related to medication effects may lead to delayed intervention or inappropriate adjustments.
Documentation errors
Failing to document medication administration or changes in medication orders accurately in patient records can cause the patient to receive double the dose. Writing prescriptions or medication orders that are illegible may cause errors in interpretation by pharmacy staff or healthcare providers.
Communication errors
Insufficient communication between healthcare providers during handoffs or transitions of care can result in missed information or an incomplete understanding of medication regimens. Inadequate communication with patients regarding medication instructions, potential side effects, or the importance of adherence to prescribed treatments leaves them more likely to take their medication incorrectly.
Other errors
Other mistakes include administering medications despite known allergies or contraindications, potentially causing severe allergic reactions or adverse effects. Providing a medication dosage significantly higher or lower than prescribed is another error that may lead to toxicity or ineffective treatment.
Medication errors can have serious consequences for patients, including adverse drug reactions, worsening of medical conditions, prolonged hospital stays, additional healthcare costs, disability, and, in severe cases, death. Talk to our Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers today if you or a loved one have suffered injury from a medication mistake.
What are the consequences of Kentucky medication mistakes?
Medication mistakes in Kentucky, as in any state, can lead to a variety of serious consequences for patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare facilities. These consequences can impact individuals physically, financially, and emotionally and may also have legal implications. Here are some of the potential consequences of medication mistakes.
- Patient harm: Patients may experience side effects or allergic reactions to medications that were incorrectly prescribed or administered. Incorrect medication or dosage adjustments can exacerbate existing medical conditions or delay proper treatment. Some medication errors can lead to long-term health complications, chronic conditions, or disability.
- Financial costs: Patients may incur additional costs for corrective treatments, extended hospital stays, or specialized care required due to medication errors. Serious complications from medication errors may result in prolonged recovery periods or inability to work, leading to lost income.
- Emotional and psychological impact: Patients and their families may experience heightened stress, anxiety, or trauma as a result of the harm caused by medication mistakes. Patients' trust in healthcare providers and facilities may be eroded, affecting future healthcare decisions and relationships.
To mitigate these consequences, healthcare providers in Kentucky should prioritize medication safety through robust protocols, effective communication, thorough patient assessments, and adherence to best practices in medication management. Patient education about medications, including understanding prescribed treatments, potential side effects, and proper administration, is also important.
Who is liable for my Kentucky medication mistake case?
In Kentucky, liability for a medication mistake case typically depends on various factors surrounding the error and the circumstances leading to the injury. Generally, the following parties may be liable in a medication mistake case.
- Healthcare providers: Prescribing medication involves assessing patient conditions, medical history, and potential drug interactions. Errors in prescribing, such as incorrect dosage or medication choice, may lead to liability.
- Healthcare facilities: These institutions may be held liable for medication errors that occur due to systemic failures, inadequate staffing, lack of proper protocols, or insufficient training of healthcare personnel. Dispensing errors, such as providing the wrong medication or incorrect dosage, may lead to liability for pharmacists or pharmacy staff.
- Drug manufacturers: In cases involving defective drugs or medication errors due to faulty manufacturing, the pharmaceutical company may be liable for damages caused to patients.
To determine liability in a medication mistake case, it is essential to establish:
- Standard of care: The healthcare provider or facility owes a duty of care to the patient, which includes following standard protocols and practices in medication management.
- Breach of duty: There was a breach of this duty, such as an error in prescribing, dispensing, or administering medication.
- Causation: The medication mistake directly caused harm or injury to the patient. This requires proving that the error was a substantial factor contributing to the harm suffered.
- Damages: The patient suffered damages, which can include physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses.
If you believe you have experienced harm because of a medication mistake in Kentucky, consult with the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law. We can assess the specifics of your case, gather evidence, consult medical experts, and advocate on your behalf to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Whether through negotiation for a settlement or litigation in court, our attorneys can help you work through the legal process and seek justice for the harm caused by medication errors.
Skilled Kentucky medication error lawyers helping you and your family
If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a medication mistake in Kentucky, do not wait to seek justice and compensation. Contact the dedicated team of medication error attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law today for a confidential consultation. We work to understand the details of your case so that we can effectively evaluate your legal options and advocate fiercely on your behalf. With our experience in handling medication error cases, we will work tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable for the harm you endured. Let us help you navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and the impact on your quality of life. Call our offices to schedule a free consultation, or you may use our contact form. We maintain offices in Lexington and Louisville for your convenience.