The thought that you’re given the wrong prescription is horrifying. Yet it’s something that happens more often than you think. The FDA reportedly gets around 100,000 reports of medication mistakes a year. Seven million US patients are now affected by these errors on an annual basis.
A medication error happens when medical personnel give the patient the wrong dosage. Or worse, they gave the wrong medication. Some patients are fortunate that they didn’t suffer any adverse effects. But there are many instances when a patient had a severe reaction. It leads to physical agony and emotional trauma. There are also countless cases that resulted in death.
What Should You Do?
Prescription and medical errors are the third leading cause of death among Americans. Each one of those deaths is avoidable. It’s why you should not take a situation like this lightly. If you or a loved one is a victim of medical errors, you should get in touch with a medication error attorney.
It doesn’t matter if the mistake was a minor one. You need the help of a prescription drug lawyer. They will help you get a handle on the situation, provide legal advice and report your case to the relevant authority.
Your lawyer can also ensure that you receive proper medical attention. Any medical mistake can exacerbate your condition. Your lawyer will also get the ball rolling so you can file a claim and demand damages. They will work to retrieve evidence. This can include copies of your medical records and the doctor’s orders. They’ll also make sure all documents are in order.
What’s Involved in Settlements for a Wrong Prescription?
Being prescribed the wrong prescription can result in a medical malpractice claim. These cases are quite tricky though. You’ll have to prove there is negligence on the part of your doctor or pharmacists. These parties will also deny liability most of the time.
Settlements for wrong prescriptions are not uncommon. For instance, one family in Pennsylvania received a $1,150,000 settlement for the death of their son. They claimed the hospital staff were negligent in giving him medication.
The average jury verdict involving medication mistakes is around $3.5 million. But that’s for a medical malpractice lawsuit. The usual settlement for wrong prescription cases falls between $400,000 and $600,000.
Your prescription drug attorney will tell you that every settlement claim is unique. Every patient and their circumstances are distinct. The settlement is also based on the damages the patient suffered. There are several factors medication errors lawyers consider when making their assessment.
· Medical Expenses: Many patients given the wrong prescription suffer in their body. Their symptoms become worse or new medical problems arise. The cost of continued medical care can become overwhelming. Your lawyer will consider how much you’ve spent out of your own money.
· Compensation for Missed Wages: There’s also the chance that the patient has lost days of work. Lost wages have a big impact on an individual’s physical and mental well-being. A serious side effect of a medical error could mean a patient’s earning potential will take a hit. You can demand damages for this.
· Pain and Suffering. This encompasses the physical and mental hurt of the patient. Physical ailments could be the side effects of getting the wrong medicine. The emotional toll is harder to overcome.
Factors like a disability caused by prescription error are also considered. So is the patient losing their enjoyment of life?
Ensuring You’re Protected
It’s hard when you get the short end of the medical stick. Warner and Warner will ensure that you’re compensated for that. Our law firm is one of the best in the Sunshine State. We have a team of experienced and passionate lawyers ready to defend your rights. We’ll guide you every step of the way. We can handle medical malpractice cases and personal injury suits. We also take on wrongful death cases and nursing home neglect. Give us a buzz at (321) 972-1889. You can also send us an inquiry at info@warnerandwarner.com.