Health care providers, such as doctors and nurses, play a vital role in a patient’s treatment and recovery. When these health care providers make a medication error, it can have serious and long-term consequences for a patient’s health. If you or someone close to you was adversely affected by a medication error, you may be able to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover compensation for your harm. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore prescription error attorneys can explore the facts of your case and advise you of your legal rights and options accordingly.
A recent study published by Clinical Toxicology reported that medication errors leading to adverse outcomes have doubled from the year 2000 to 2012. Unfortunately, medical professionals are responsible for 1.5 million medication errors each year in the United States, according to a report by The Institute of Medicine of the National Academics. These errors are often injurious to patients, leading to emergency situations, hospital stays, and, in some cases, even death. In fact, more people die each year from medication errors than from workplace injuries, as highlighted by the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention.
Overall, the most common types of medication mistakes involved taking or giving the wrong medication or an incorrect dosage, as well as accidentally taking or giving the medication twice. These medication errors were also very common among children. Approximately one-third of medication errors resulted in hospital admission.
Medical professionals, in Maryland and in other states, must adhere to a certain standard of care that is medically accepted in the industry. As a result, medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional fails to exercise the level of care and caution that a medical professional in the same specialty would use under the same or similar circumstances. If a health care provider deviates from the standard of care and causes harm to a patient, that health care provider will likely be liable. For example, if a physician deviates from the duty of care owed to the patient by prescribing the wrong medication for a particular condition, and the patient’s health is undermined due to this error, that physician would likely be liable for the patient’s resulting harm.
Under Maryland law, the patient bears the burden of establishing medical malpractice by a preponderance of the evidence. Also known as the ‘greater weight of the evidence’ standard, the preponderance of the evidence standard necessitates that the plaintiff have the more persuasive and convincing force and effect of the evidence in the case. Essentially, the plaintiff must prove that his or her assertions are more likely true than not.
If you or someone close to you has been adversely affected by a medication error, it is vital to seek the help of a Baltimore prescription error attorney who can assess the merits of your case. At Arfaa Law Group, we will vigorously advocate for your rights at every step of the way. We strongly believe in holding negligent medical professionals accountable for the harm that they cause. To discuss your case in more detail, feel free to call 410-889-1850 or contact us online.
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