Medication Errors

Highly Skilled Savannah Medical Malpractice Lawyers Fighting on Behalf of Victims of Prescription Mix-Ups

Medication errors are a common and preventable form of medical malpractice, often leading to devastating consequences for patients and their families. These mistakes can occur at any point during the prescribing, dispensing, or administering process and frequently result in worsened medical conditions, adverse drug reactions, or even death. At Suthers & Harper, our attorneys represent victims of medication errors in Savannah and throughout Georgia, helping them seek justice and compensation for the harm they have suffered.

What Are Medication Errors?

Medication errors occur when a healthcare provider makes a mistake that results in the improper use of a drug. These errors can happen in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, or even in nursing homes, and they are often the result of negligence. Common types of medication errors include:

• Prescribing Errors: Doctors may prescribe the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or a medication that conflicts with the patient’s medical history.
• Dispensing Errors: Pharmacies may provide the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or improperly labeled medications.
• Administration Errors: Nurses or other healthcare providers may give the wrong dose, administer the medication through the wrong route, or fail to give the medication at the correct time.
• Monitoring Errors: Healthcare providers may fail to monitor a patient for adverse reactions, allowing harmful side effects to go unchecked.

These errors are preventable with proper attention to detail and adherence to established medical protocols.

Causes of Medication Errors

Medication errors often stem from systemic issues within the healthcare setting or individual negligence. In recent year, many pharmacies have seen an unprecedented increase in volume without a corresponding increase in labor, leading to staffing shortages. However, other common causes of pharmacy errors include:

• Poor Communication: Miscommunication between doctors, nurses, and pharmacists can lead to errors in prescribing or administering medications.
• Inadequate Documentation: Failing to properly document a patient’s medical history, allergies, or current medications can result in dangerous interactions or incorrect prescriptions.
• Human Factors: Fatigue, distractions, or lack of experience can cause healthcare providers to make critical mistakes.
• Technological Issues: Errors in electronic health records or automated dispensing systems can lead to incorrect prescriptions or dosages.

Consequences of Medication Errors

The consequences of medication errors can be life-changing for patients and their families. Some of the most common outcomes include:

• Adverse Drug Reactions: These range from mild allergic reactions to severe and life-threatening conditions.
• Therapeutic Failures: Patients may not receive the necessary treatment for their condition, allowing it to worsen.
• Toxic Overdose: Administering too much of a drug can cause permanent organ damage or death.
• Increased Medical Costs: Patients may face additional treatments, hospitalizations, or surgeries to correct the error.
• Emotional Trauma: Suffering from the effects of a medication error can lead to anxiety, depression, and a loss of trust in healthcare providers.

For patients who experience these outcomes, holding negligent healthcare providers accountable is a critical step toward recovery. At Suthers & Harper, we can help you pursue a claim for compensation against the providers responsible for your injuries. 

Proving Negligence in Medication Error Cases

To succeed in a medication error claim, you must demonstrate that negligence occurred and directly caused your injuries. This involves proving four key elements:

1. Duty of Care: The healthcare provider or institution owed you a duty to prescribe, dispense, or administer medication in a safe and competent manner.
2. Breach of Duty: The provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care, such as prescribing the wrong drug or failing to monitor for side effects.
3. Causation: The error directly caused harm, such as an adverse drug reaction or worsening of your condition.
4. Damages: You suffered measurable losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or physical and emotional pain.

Medication error claims often require expert testimony to establish how the provider’s actions deviated from the standard of care. A Savannah medical malpractice lawyer can help build a strong case on your behalf.

How a Savannah Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help

Medication error cases are complex and require a detailed understanding of medical protocols, pharmacy standards, and Georgia malpractice laws. At Suthers & Harper, we work with medical experts to evaluate your case, identify negligence, and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.

Our team will:

• Investigate the circumstances of your medication error
• Collect evidence, including medical records and expert opinions
• Handle negotiations with insurance companies and opposing counsel
• Advocate for your rights in court, if necessary

By working with a skilled Savannah medical malpractice lawyer, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal process.

Speak With a Savannah Medication Errors Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a medication error, don’t wait to seek legal assistance. Georgia law imposes strict deadlines for filing medical malpractice claims, typically within two years of the injury. Acting promptly can help preserve evidence and strengthen your case. Reach out now by calling 800-320-2384 to schedule your free consultation. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.