Virginia Pharmacy Errors Lawyer

The majority of patients depend on pharmacies for their prescriptions, making pharmacies an essential part of the healthcare industry. Most pharmacies and pharmacists are responsible, but mistakes do occur from time to time. Unfortunately, when an error in a pharmacy is made, the result can be deadly for some patients.

If you sustained an illness or injury, or you had a preexisting condition exacerbated by a pharmacy mistake, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your ordeal. Serious pharmacy mistakes are not common, but they do happen, and they can completely ruin the life of a patient.

If you are the victim of a medication mistake, a Virginia pharmacy errors lawyer may be able to provide you with the legal guidance you need.

Pharmacists Owe a Duty of Care to Patients

All pharmacists have a duty of care to their customers when they fill a prescription. This duty of care involves taking reasonable steps to ensure the safety and health of a customer by doing everything in their power to prevent a medication mix-up. These standards of practice also apply to any pharmacy technician under the supervision of a pharmacist, as well as any other pharmacy employee.

When evaluating a case involving a pharmacist, courts will consider what reasonable steps an average pharmacist would have taken in the same situation. They may accept testimony from other professionals in the same field also. A pharmacist can also be considered responsible for providing substandard care if:

  • They dispense the wrong medication.
  • They administer the wrong dosage of a drug.
  • They do not advise a customer about potential medication side effects.
  • The pharmacist does not give the customer an opportunity for a consultation.

Like physicians, pharmacists are held to a certain standard, and if they do not meet this standard of care, they can be held liable for malpractice.

Problems Caused by Pharmacy Errors

Unfortunately, even minor pharmacy errors can have potentially deadly results. Illnesses and injuries caused by pharmacy errors can show up immediately or take years to manifest and become apparent. Common diseases and injuries caused by pharmacy errors include:

  • Pregnancy complications and congenital disabilities
  • Overdoses
  • Adverse interactions with other drugs
  • Life-threatening allergic reactions
  • Organ failure

The most severe side effects can result in death. For this reason, pharmacy errors must be taken just as seriously as medical errors.

Filing for Compensation

If a pharmacy error harms a person, they may be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. Not only can the pharmacists be held liable, but the pharmacy, in general, can also be held accountable. As previously mentioned, major pharmacy mistakes can result in severe health problems, including psychological trauma.

Depending on the nature of a case, a patient may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages (if their illness or injury prevents them from working), living expenses, physical pain, and emotional trauma.

If an error results in death, the family of a patient may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits allow families to recover damages incurred by the death of their loved ones with the help of a Virginia pharmacy errors lawyer.

Discuss Your Case with a Virginia Pharmacy Errors Attorney Today

If a pharmacy error has impacted you, you might be able to recover damages for your pain and suffering. No one should suffer due to the careless actions of another person, especially if those actions can adversely affect their health. Affected patients should take legal action quickly; they may only have a limited time to file a personal injury suit.

Discuss your case with a Virginia pharmacy errors lawyer today.