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Pharmacy Errors are Pervasive in U.S. Healthcare System, According to Study

Medication errors can lead to serious harm, even death. If you have been injured by a medication error caused by a pharmacist’s negligence, you may have legal options. We routinely handle medical malpractice cases involving medication or prescription errors. You can take comfort in knowing that our skillful Baltimore medication error attorneys can assist you in every step of the legal process, from completing the necessary paperwork to negotiations and even in the courtroom.

Dispensing errors at the pharmacy may account for approximately 21 percent of medication errors that affect patients, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. These mistakes may be more common than most patients think. The study analyzed 154,816 medication error reports between January 1, 1999 and December 21, 2001. Approximately two-thirds of the errors reported reached the patient, with relatively few causing harm. Death was reported in 19 occurrences. Mistakes related to omission and improper dose/quantity were the most commonly reported. One cause of these mistakes was a consistent performance deficit, plus failure to follow procedure and protocol.

Liability for Medication Errors

Getting the correct medication to the right patient in the correct dosage in a timely manner is vital to making sure patients do not suffer preventable medication injuries. Medication errors can take place in a variety of settings including in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and pharmacies.

If you have been hurt because you were prescribed the wrong medication or been injured as a result of a dispensing error, you may be able to recover compensation through a medical malpractice claim. Medical malpractice claims arise when a medical professional causes injury or death to a patient by failing to use the level of care that a reasonably prudent medical professional would have used in the same or similar circumstances. For example, if the patient is given the wrong drug because there are two similar sounding drug names, that patient will likely be able to sue for malpractice because reasonably prudent medical professionals should create a system to avoid such mistakes.

 Damages for Medication Errors

Medication errors often have serious long-term consequences that can lead to further medical treatment, disability or even death. For this reason, Maryland law permits victims of medication errors to pursue damages for their losses including compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs and more. With extensive experience, we will try to secure the maximum possible compensation in your case.

Skilled Baltimore Medication Error Attorneys

Medication is designed to heal patients, not harm them. If you or someone you love has experienced harm from a medication error, a seasoned Baltimore medication error attorney can help you recover compensation for your harm. At Arfaa Law Group, our team can be trusted to thoroughly review all of the evidence, build a strong case on your behalf and effectively advocate for your rights every step of the way. For a free and confidential case evaluation, please call us 410-889-1850 or contact us online.

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