Every day in America, more than 3,500 people are injured or killed because of medication and pharmacy errors, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That adds up to more than one million people harmed each year.
As the drug industry thrives and new pharmacies open in virtually every big box store, these preventable errors have become a tragic fact of life in the healthcare industry. In one recent study, researchers analyzed nearly 10,000 prescriptions filled at a large pharmacy in New Jersey. They found mistakes were made in 1 out of every 8 prescriptions, ranging from bottles containing the wrong drugs to labeling errors.
It’s a problem that continues to grow, as more Americans than ever are taking prescription medications. The elderly, who are more likely to take multiple drugs, are at particularly high risk.
Medication and pharmacy error cases require the best and most experienced lawyers
Healthcare professionals have a legal obligation to make sure you receive the correct medications, at the correct dosage, and with the correct instructions. Medication mistakes can happen in a variety of settings, including pharmacies, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and more.
Berman & Simmons is widely recognized as the best personal injury lawyers in Maine and among the best in the U.S.
We have obtained several of the largest medical malpractice jury verdicts in Maine history, and many of the largest settlements for our clients. Our attorneys are extremely knowledgeable about medical issues and skilled at proving fault, documenting the extent of your losses, and ensuring that your family receives full compensation. We have recovered $1.35 billion for our injured clients.
No other law firm in Maine can match the depth of our expertise and the resources we use to bring these complex cases to a successful conclusion.
Medication and Pharmacy Error Tips and Tools: What should I do if I have been given the wrong medication?
- Never be afraid to ask questions. If the name of the drug is different, the pills look different, or the instructions are different than what you expected or were previously told, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
- Save bottles and paperwork you received from any provider that was involved in the prescription process.
- If you have already started the medication, but believe it might be the wrong medication, bring it to your pharmacy and ask for verification.
- If you are experiencing unexplained side effects, discontinue the medication and consult with your doctor or hospital.
A Law Firm That Listens
Berman & Simmons is widely recognized as the best personal injury lawyers in Maine and among the best in the U.S., having won many of the largest jury verdicts and settlements ever obtained for injured people in Maine.
Our trial lawyers have won thousands of claims on behalf of those injured in a pharmacy error, and each year we build on that successful track record.
Our attorneys and staff members will take the time to listen to you, work to understand your concerns, and come up with solutions that can make your life better, including obtaining payment for or deferral of your debts until your case is resolved. We help you recover and make sure you receive full compensation for your injuries and loss.
Ask Questions. We Have Answers.
Errors can happen at any point during the prescription process
Medication errors can happen at any point in the process, beginning with the prescription from a doctor to the ultimate distribution of a medication to the patient. There can be many people and computer systems involved in the process―doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, salespeople, and others―increasing the odds of a mistake.
Poor communication, job stress, lack of training, and ambiguities in labeling are some of the factors that can result in medication errors. Here are some common types of errors:
Unclear prescription, leading to the wrong drug being dispensed
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Pharmacist incorrectly fills a prescription with a higher dose
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Pharmacy technician incorrectly labels a pill bottle
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Doctor prescribes a medication that has an adverse reaction to another medication prescribed to the patient
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Pharmacist fails to warn a patient about side effects
$8.5 Million
Paralysis due to mismanagement of
degenerative spine
$2.5 Million
Catastrophic injuries in a head-on car accident
$800,000
Wrongful death case involving negligent
motorist
$715,000
Plaintiff Rear Ended by
Telephone Truck
$5 Million
Delay in diagnosis and treatment of cancer
$1.2 Million
Significant Head Injury Car Accident
Pharmacy Error FAQs
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How many people are harmed by pharmacy errors every year?
3,500 people are injured or killed every day in the U.S. from pharmacy errors, which adds up to over a million injured people a year. In one study, it was found that there was an error in 1 out of every 8 prescriptions.
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Who is most at risk for pharmacy errors?
With the rising use of pharmaceuticals every year, every age and demographic is at risk for pharmacy errors. However, because elderly people tend to take more medications, they are particularly at risk.
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What are some common pharmacy errors?
- Unclear prescriptions
- Incorrect labels on pill bottles
- Failure to warn a patient about side effects
- Incorrectly administering too high of a dose
- Prescribing a medication that has an adverse reaction with another medication