Pennsylvania Medication Error Attorneys

Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Recovered for Injured Pennsylvanians

Many of us take medications for our health. Whether it’s to keep our blood pressure in check, to stop a disease in its tracks, or to relieve a headache, prescription and over-the-counter medications are a necessity. But sometimes we are given the wrong medication or receive the wrong dose from a trusted medical provider, which can result in life-threatening consequences.

If you have suffered because of the carelessness of a medical professional, you may be unsure of what your next steps should be. Who is at fault for the error?

Medication errors fall under the umbrella of medical malpractice when doctors and other medical providers are careless, negligent, or otherwise fail to uphold the accepted standard of care. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, our medical malpractice lawyers have the experience and the results to handle your claim professionally and quickly. With healthcare experts on staff, we are ready to examine your case and fight to make sure you get compensation for your injuries and other damages.

Call our Pennsylvania medication error attorneys today at (877) 989-4878 to learn more about how we can help you during a free and confidential consultation.

Medication Errors: What You Should Know

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that approximately 1.5 million people are injured due to medication errors in the United States, a number that is on the rise. According to a study published in the journal Clinical Toxicology, the number of medication mistakes in the U.S. more than doubled between the years 2000 and 2012. In that time frame, more than 67,000 errors occurred, resulting in 414 deaths. Most of the mistakes come from medication associated with cardiovascular drugs, such as high blood pressure medication, analgesics, and especially medication used to treat and manage diabetes.

Sadly, as high as these numbers are, they are likely a conservative estimate as most medication errors go unreported. With more and more people taking medication, the risk of receiving the wrong prescription or dosage is exceptionally high.

Common Causes of Medication Errors

All it takes is a distracted nurse or pharmacist to cause an error. With short-staffed healthcare facilities around Pennsylvania, it’s easy for these mistakes to occur.

Some of the most common causes of medication errors include:

• An illegible prescription or an error in prescribing medication
• Wrong medication packaging
• Receiving a prescription for the wrong drug or incorrect dosage
• A misdiagnosis by a doctor or healthcare professional
• Failing to change medication despite issues with the current dosage

Compensation for Medical Malpractice Victims

Medication mistakes fall under medical malpractice law, and you have the right to seek compensation following the mistake. To prove negligence by the healthcare professional or pharmacist, you will need to show that they did not adhere to a certain standard of care. For example, if you have an allergy to a particular drug and the doctor prescribes that drug without looking at your history, this is a case of medical malpractice.

Some of the damages you can receive in a medication error claim include:

• Medical Care: You may be entitled to compensation for medical care that is related to your accident/injuries.
• Loss of Income: If your injury affected your income either now or in the future, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages.
• Pain and Suffering: You can seek compensation for pain that exists immediately after an incident, as well as ongoing pain or discomfort, which can affect your lifestyle and abilities.
• Emotional Distress: After a traumatic event, many people report feelings of anxiety, fear, or confusion, as well as loss of sleep and other problems.
• Funeral Expenses: If you lost a loved one because of a medical professional's negligence, you might be eligible for compensation for funeral costs and other wrongful death damages.
• Loss of Enjoyment: Your injury may affect your ability to do the things you enjoy, like fishing or hiking or crafts, and that will negatively impact your lifestyle.
• Loss of Consortium: This refers to a loss of a relationship or elements of a relationship that negatively affect family members and close friends of the injured; this may include loss of companionship or the inability to participate in a sexual relationship.

Depending on the details of your case, you may be eligible for punitive damages. Punitive damages are often orders for financial awards to the injured party; they are intended to punish the individual(s) or company that is found responsible for your injury.

Contact Our Pennsylvania Medication Errors Attorneys Now

To determine if you have grounds for a medical negligence or malpractice case, you're going to need to speak with an experienced Pennsylvania medication error attorney who understands the complexities of these cases. For decades, the attorneys at Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC have been helping clients throughout the Keystone State with their claims. We have successfully secured more than $110 million for our clients, and we are ready to fight for you.

Don't delay. If you believe you were injured due to a medication error, contact one of our three office locations to learn how we can help. You only have two years from the date of the accident/incident to file your medical malpractice claim in Pennsylvania.

Call us at (877) 989-4878 or fill out and submit a free online case evaluation form to get started today.