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Medication Error

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Medication Error Lawyer In Louisville, KY

Help in Louisville and Lexington for patients injured by prescription mistakes

Medication mistakes and errors happen every day here in Kentucky and across the country. These mistakes include things like improperly written prescriptions, incorrect doses, or dangerous drug interactions. Patients can suffer serious consequences or side effects from medication errors, including debilitating or fatal injuries. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you do have legal options.

At Wilt Injury Lawyers, our Kentucky attorneys are well-versed in medical malpractice cases, including medication errors. When you suffer harm as a result of a medical professional’s negligence, you are entitled to take legal action against the negligent party in the form of seeking financial compensation for your losses. We are ready to walk you through the legal process – contact us in Lexington or Louisville today.

How can we help today?

What is a medication error?

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) describes a medication error as “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.” They also note the FDA receives over 100,000 reports of suspected medication errors every year, via their MedWatch website.

Per the FDA, “Medication errors can occur throughout the medication-use system. Such as, when prescribing a drug, upon entering information into a computer system, when the drug is being prepared or dispensed, or when the drug is given to or taken by a patient.”

What are common types of medication errors?

Medication-related malpractice can result from a variety of different circumstances, but one thing these errors all have in common is that they stem from negligence. These errors include:

  • Prescribing errors
  • Failure to prescribe, administer, or dispense medication
  • Prescribing or administering a medication too late or too early
  • Giving a patient a medication not authorized for them
  • Improper use of medication
  • Incorrect dosage or preparation of medication
  • Medication administration errors
  • Failure to account for a patient’s condition or drug interactions
  • Not following proper rules for prescribing or dispensing medication

Our Kentucky attorneys work to find out what type of error caused your injuries, and then identify the responsible party or parties.

Why do Kentucky medication errors happen?

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) reported in 2019 that the number of patient deaths “resulting from drug errors has increased from 198,000 in 1995 to 218,000 in 2000. The cost of these misadventures to the US economy is more than $177 billion per year.” Although the AMCP calls them “misadventures,” our attorneys call them wrongful deaths because the majority are preventable mistakes.

They go on to discuss the most common reasons medical professionals make medication errors:

  • Prescribing errors
  • Wrong diagnosis
  • Dosage miscalculation
  • Poor drug distribution systems
  • Drug or drug device-related problems
  • Incorrect drug administration
  • Errors in communication
  • Lack of patient communication

The AMCP also notes that “a widely recognized cause of error is illegible handwritten prescriptions.”

What is the difference between an adverse event and a side effect?

An important thing to understand with medication errors is the difference between adverse effects and side effects.

  • An adverse effect is a negative and unexpected effect that happens when a patient takes a medication as prescribed. Adverse effects often occur as a result of a medication mistake, like with a drug allergy, interaction, or incorrect drug. Patients usually need intervention and to stop taking the medication.
  • A side effect, on the other hand, is a known effect of a particular medication. Even if undesirable, these side effects are known by the prescribing physician and the patient is warned of potential events. Side effects usually resolve on their own within a few weeks.

Generally, patients injured by medication mistakes have been harmed by adverse events rather than side effects. However, we advise you to speak with one of our Kentucky malpractice attorneys about your specific situation to find out if you have a claim.

Who is liable for my Kentucky medication error injury?

If you or a member of your family suffered harm because of a medication or drug error, there may be one or more liable parties. The attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers work to identify all responsible parties, which can include:

  • Doctors, nurses, or hospitals
  • Pharmacists and pharmacies
  • Pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers

We work to secure maximum compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.

How long do I have to file a medication error claim in Kentucky?

The statute of limitations for Kentucky medical malpractice lawsuits is one year. This means you have one year from the date that your injury or illness occurred, or from the date you are diagnosed with such a condition, to get your claim filed. If the malpractice statute of limitations expires before your lawsuit is filed, you will no longer be able to secure compensation for your losses.

Do you have a medication error attorney near me?

Wilt Injury Lawyers has offices in Louisville and Lexington:

Louisville Office

13113 Eastpoint Park Blvd. Suite A Louisville, KY 40223
Phone: 502-253-9110

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Lexington Office

196 W. Lowry Lane, Suite 1 Lexington, KY 40503
Phone: 859-263-8818

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