Virginia Prescription Error Lawyer
Medication error is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for the victim, even when the mistake is the result of a minor oversight. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medication error where improper prescriptions or administration of medication resulted in a serious injury, please contact a Virginia prescription error lawyer today. Call for a free consultation.
Common Prescription Errors in Virginia
Some of the most common scenarios of medication errors that occur in Virginia hospitals or nursing room facilities include:
Complications with Known Allergens
You have a physician that is aware that you are allergic to a specific medication, but still prescribes it anyway.
Drug Interactions
Some of the other medications that you are currently taking may have dangerous interactions with a new type of medication that you have just had prescribed by your doctor, but your doctor forgets to take this interaction into account when writing prescribing your medication. As a result, the cause a health problem or injury due to the fact they are being taken together.
Drugs Prescribed to a Disqualified Class
A medicine that is prescribed is only to be taken by those individuals that are able to walk on their own and a doctor prescribes it to a double amputee or other individuals that is unable to get out of bed.
Pharmaceutical Filling Error
Your local pharmacy receives the prescription you need, but fills the bottle with a different medication.
Printing / Dosage Error
The pharmacy you use for filling your prescriptions fills the proper medication but they print the wrong directions for dosage, which means that you may take too much or too little of the medication, causing serious problems. If you do fall victim to a medication error, you should consult with a Virginia prescription error lawyer right away. A Virginia prescription error attorney with Price Benowitz LLP has the experience and know-how to handle your case, gather evidence, and provide proof that the wrong prescription was given or the wrong dosage was provided.
Preventable Prescription Error in Virginia
The fact is that there are far too many different types of medication errors to cover completely in this example, but the ones listed above are unfortunately the most common. According to the FDA, or the Federal Drug Administration, such errors are creating an erosion in the trust between patients and their local pharmacies. Contact a Virginia prescription error lawyer today for a free consultation.
Tips for Prevention of Prescription Errors
- Patients should maintain an accurate and updated record of all prescriptions and other medications that are taken in the past as well as those medications they are currently taking;
- Research the medications that you have an allergy to;
- Let your pharmacist know about any type of medications that you are taking, including over the counter items. In some cases, your pharmacist will only have access to the information regarding prescriptions that are filed at their store, which is why it is important to provide them with a full list of prescriptions being taken, including OTC items;
- Tell several family members about the medications that you take so that if an emergency arises they can let responders know what you take;
- Talk to your doctor about why a particular medication is being prescribed, the side effects and if you have been on the particular medication earlier;
- If you are unsure about the dosage you should call your doctor to verify it prior to taking any.
Both the FDA and other agencies are working to eliminate the confusing abbreviations that are used for a number of medications to prevent dangerous mix-ups. However, as of now it is the responsibility of your doctor, your pharmacist, and you to ensure that you receive the right medication at the right dosage. Once you receive the correct medication, it is of course your duty to follow instructions given to you by your doctor and/or pharmacist.
The Importance of a Virginia Prescription Error Lawyer
A Virginia prescription error lawyer may be able to help you receive the compensation that you need for any medical bills that you incur due to an injury caused by medication error. Additionally, you may be able to recover damages from your pharmacy or distributing party. If a long-term injury or disability occurs from this medication error, you may also be able to receive compensation for this as well. The key is to hire a qualified and experienced Virginia prescription error lawyer for your case and contact them soon after the injury is sustained.