Prescription drug errors have the potential to impact almost everyone, as most people must take some type of prescription drug at some point in their lives. The harm that could be caused by prescription drug errors can be devastating and difficult to predict, which is why doctors and pharmacists are subject to such rigorous education and training with respect to both the potential impact of medications on patients and the possible negative interactions between different chemical compounds.
A prescription drug error could have significant consequences that may be difficult for a non-expert to anticipate. If you experienced injuries after a prescription drug error, you may need an experienced St. Petersburg prescription drug errors lawyer’s assistance. Allow a seasoned medical malpractice attorney to stand in your corner to help you recover the compensation that you deserve.
Potential Reasons for Prescription Drug Errors
Prescription drug errors may occur for any number of reasons. However, many errors stem from a medical professional’s negligent or reckless actions. Errors may occur when:
- A pharmacist fails to confirm a prescription request
- The physician or pharmacy confuse two similar prescription drugs
- The medical staff is improperly trained, so is unaware that procedures regarding a certain prescription drug have changed
- The medical staff has improper communication procedures in place, so that a doctor may be improperly apprised of a patient’s medical history or current medications
- Improper staffing causes doctors, nurses, or pharmacists to be rushed or fatigued, which leads them to make unreasonable errors
Any of these factors can lead to a patient receiving the wrong medication or an improper dose of the correct medication. This negligence when prescribing medication may cause significant harm by failing to treat the medical condition or by interacting adversely with medications the patient already takes.
Understanding the Burden of Proof in a Drug Errors Case
It is the responsibility of the injured party, or legal claimant, to prove a medical professional’s negligence or recklessness led to a prescription drug error. Establishing negligence requires demonstrating that the defendant failed to act in the same manner that a reasonable healthcare provider would in the same or similar circumstances.
After showing that the medical professional deviated from this “reasonable healthcare provider” standard of care, the injured party must then prove proximate cause. Proximate cause refers to showing that the medical negligence caused the harm suffered by the patient.
Establishing this causation link and standard of care in a prescription drug errors case may require the testimony of an expert witness. Many potential plaintiffs rely on a well-connected St. Petersburg prescription drug errors lawyer to locate and retain the required experts. An expert such as a similarly positioned doctor or pharmacist could explain pertinent medical information to the court and provide strong support to claim for compensation.
How a St. Petersburg Prescription Drug Errors Attorney Could Help
Cases involving prescription drug errors can be extremely complicated and can involve scientific issues that only an expert is likely to fully understand. Drug interactions are often patient-specific, so you may need a St. Petersburg prescription drug errors lawyer who is both highly experienced in the field, and willing to dedicate the time necessary to establish causation in your case.
When a doctor or pharmacist is accused of medical negligence, they bring in an entire team of lawyers and specialists to help establish that they were not responsible. An experienced prescription drug errors lawyer could work to establish a strong and reasoned case for you, and to refute any claims by the medical professionals’ that they acted appropriately under the circumstances. Call today to learn more.
