NY Medication Errors Lawyers
NYC Attorneys Representing Those that have Suffered Injuries due to Medication Errors
Medication errors make up nearly 25% of all medical malpractice cases, citing failure to administer the correct dosage as the most common type of medication mistake. Often, nurses bear the responsibility for a medication error; therefore, nurses, along with their hospitals and the prescribing physicians, are most commonly named as defendants in New York medical malpractice lawsuits involving medication errors.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a medication error or prescription mix-up, fill out our FREE case review form. Our New York medical malpractice attorneys will evaluate your claim to determine whether you are eligible to collect financial compensation from the healthcare professional responsible for your injuries.
To schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation with one of our NYC lawyers about a medication error, call us at 212-736-5300 or complete our online form.
Types of Medication Errors
The majority of medication errors in New York result from inadequate training of individuals who prescribe, prepare and administer drugs. To prevent medication errors, hospitals across New York will have to undergo fundamental changes to its training and error prevention programs. Until then, thousands of patients will suffer serious injuries due to preventable medical errors.
The most common types of medication errors suffered by New York patients include:
Incorrect Dosing: An underdose or overdose can result from an error on part of the prescribing physician, administering nurse or pharmacist labeling the drug. Medications commonly involved in dosing errors include the following: antibiotics, blood-thinners, steroids, heart medications and cancer drugs. Infants and young children are particularly at risk for overdoses, as many prescription medications do not list a safe dosage for children under a certain age.
Wrong Drug: When a patient inadvertently takes an incorrect drug, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist may be liable for any resulting injuries. For instance, a pharmacist may misread a doctor’s prescription, especially when two or more drugs have similar names (i.e. Baciim, Bactrim). In another example, a nurse may administer the medicine intended for the patient in room 147B to the patient in room 174B. Administering, prescribing or dispensing the incorrect drug can rob a patient of the beneficial effects of the intended drug or cause serious complications.
Drug Interactions: Many prescription medications have an impact on the effect of other drugs. To prevent dangerous drug interactions, doctors are required to have their patients list any drugs they are currently taking. The following combinations can cause a serious or potentially fatal drug interaction: cholesterol drugs and oral antifungals; blood pressure medicine and NSAID drugs; SSRIs and triptan drugs; blood thinners and antibiotics or anti-seizure drugs; warfarin and simvastatin; and alcohol and a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Allergic Reactions: When a patient is given a drug to which they are allergic, serious side effects may result. Allergic reactions commonly occur due to “cross-reactivity.” Cross reactive medicines refer to two or more drugs that possess a similar chemical makeup. Prescribing or administering one medicine from a group of cross-reactive drugs to which a patient is allergic may be considered negligent under New York medical malpractice law.
Drug Side Effects: Every drug has a list of known side effects. When a doctor fails to warn a patient of a drug’s potential side effects, the results can be devastating. In some instances, the physician must watch the patient and administer tests to monitor for side effects, such as decreased kidney function, which may not be apparent to the patient. Should an injury result, failure to monitor or inform the patient may be grounds for a New York medical malpractice lawsuit.
Block O’Toole & Murphy serves Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and all of NYC and New York State.
New York Medication Error Lawsuits
Doctors, nurses and pharmacists have undergone years of training and education, but they are not immune from error. Because of this, hospitals have implemented procedures to make sure patients receive the proper dosage of the correct drug. Furthermore, pharmacies have developed computer programs which alert technicians and pharmacists to potentially dangerous drug interactions. With these tools and safeguards in place, medical professionals have no excuse when a patient is harmed as a result of a medication error, prescription mix-up or harmful drug interaction.
When a medical professional negligently commits a medication error and a patient suffers an injury as a result, a medical malpractice lawsuit can be filed upon the injured party’s behalf. Successful New York medical malpractice lawsuits can award the injured patient with compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering which results from the medication mistake. If a medication error or prescription mix-up caused you harm, the responsible parties must be identified and held accountable for their negligent actions or omissions. To find out if you can hold another party accountable for your prescription drug injuries, fill out our FREE case review form to speak with our medication error lawyers in New York.