Claims for Medication Errors
Errors in Prescriptions and Medical Negligence
If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of a prescription mistake, do not hesitate to contact a solicitor now. If there has been an instance of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation.
Mistakes in prescriptions
A prescription mistake occurs when the incorrect drug is given to the patient. Prescription mistakes are most often made by primary care physicians, although they may also be made by pharmacists or hospital doctors.
A prescription error may arise as a result of human error, in which the physician mistakenly delivers the incorrect kind of tablet/dose.
Alternatively, the doctor may knowingly prescribe a medication that is hazardous to the patient. A medication may be hazardous if the patient:
- Is known to have an adverse reaction to it
- Has used it for an extended period of time Is taking another prescription that precludes the usage of certain substances
- Is provided an excessively big or excessively tiny dosage
Prescription of the proper dosage is a particularly prominent issue, since it often rely on medical practitioners monitoring a patient via regular testing. A GP may overlook these tests or misinterpret the findings, resulting in the dose not being adjusted to the patient’s condition.
Complications of prescription mistake
A prescription mistake might result in serious repercussions for the patient. For instance, if a patient is allergic to a certain medication, he or she may have a severe adverse response. Alternatively, if a medication is administered excessively, it might result in internal bleeding or even organ failure.
Fatal prescription errors
A prescription mistake may result in a death in certain catastrophic circumstances.
Errors in medication administration and never-before-seen incidents
Certain drug mistakes are so serious that they are classified as ‘never occurrences.’ NHS England describes a never event as ‘a significant, mainly avoidable patient safety occurrence that should never occur if preventive measures are taken.’
Several never-to-happen events include the following:
- Incorrectly prepared injectable drug with a high risk
- Administering a potassium-containing solution incorrectly
- Chemotherapy administered in the incorrect method
- Incorrect mode of administration of oral/enteral medication
- Epidural medicine is administered intravenously.
- Insulin misadministration
- Midazolam overdose during conscious sedation
- An opioid-nave patient overdoses on opioids
- Inappropriate daily oral methotrexate administration
Prescription mistakes and medical malpractice
If a prescription mistake is made and a patient is injured, medical negligence may be a cause of action.
This is because medical practitioners are legally required to offer an appropriate quality of care to all patients. What is regarded ‘acceptable’ must be measured against the standards established by a respectable body of medical men.
For example, if a GP gives an antibiotic to a renal failure patient that is not advised for patients with impaired kidney function, one must consider if a reasonable body of GPs would follow the same course of action.
If it is determined that a reasonable group of GPs would NOT follow the same course of action, a breach of duty has occurred. This indicates that the physician/organization offered inadequate treatment.
If a violation of duty results in damage to a patient, a medical negligence claim may be made. If the patient dies as a result of their injuries, the family may pursue a claim on their behalf.
Am I eligible to make a claim?
To determine if you are eligible for compensation for a prescription mistake, you should see a clinical negligence specialist (otherwise known as medical negligence claims).
It is critical not to procrastinate in getting legal counsel since clinical negligence claims have a statute of limitations. They must be prosecuted within three years of the alleged occurrence. If this deadline is missed, you will be unable to file a claim, even if your case is very strong.
When contacting a solicitor, you will need to describe the treatment you received and the damage you experienced. A solicitor will be able to advise you on your choices after gathering all of the information from you.
If you are informed that you were an innocent victim of medical malpractice, you may take legal action. This will guarantee that you are adequately paid for your losses.
Compensation for medical malpractice
The amount of compensation you get in a prescription mistake claim is determined by the facts of your case. You will be compensated for your physical and emotional pain and suffering, as well as your money loss. As a result, if you have suffered a substantial loss of wages (past or future), this will be reflected in your compensation payment.
Kindly contact us immediately if you want to talk confidentially with an attorney about initiating a compensation claim.