Birmingham Injury Lawyer: Types of Medication Errors

When our Birmingham injury lawyer talks about the various types of medical malpractice claims, medication errors are often at the top of the list. When one considers how many prescriptions the average doctor writes in a given year, it’s surprising that there aren’t more mistakes made. If you happen to be the victim of a medication error, it’s a good idea to file your medical malpractice claim as soon as possible. You want to make sure the issue is fresh so that you can resolve the matter quickly. Our Birmingham injury lawyers can help you do this.

Here, we will talk about some of the more common types of medication errors. Some of these are minor and can be rectified rather easily. However, with most medication error cases, our clients suffer significantly. Be it from an adverse interaction or an allergy, patients are injured all the time from medication errors. If you think you have standing to file a medical malpractice claim, contact one of our Birmingham injury lawyers right away.

The Doctor May Prescribe You the Wrong Medication or the Wrong Dosage

One of the more dangerous errors a doctor can make is prescribing the wrong medication to a patient. Imagine that someone has high blood pressure. The doctor meant to prescribe them blood pressure medication. However, it was a busy day and, by the time the doctor checked the patient’s chart, they had forgotten their earlier meeting. They accidentally prescribed the patient a medication for nerve pain.

The patient is a bit older and doesn’t pay much attention to the prescription as written. They go to their local pharmacy, and they fill the script. If the patient takes the medication as prescribed, it can cause serious health issues. The patient could even end up in the hospital for all the doctor knows. In cases like this, the patient would only be able to file a medical malpractice claim against the doctor if they suffered an actual injury. It isn’t enough that the wrong medication was prescribed and filled.

You May File a Medical Malpractice Claim if Your Doctor Doesn’t Provide You with Proper Instructions

Sometimes, a doctor prescribes a new medication but fails to instruct the patient on how to take it. The pharmacy fills the prescription and offers their own information on the medication. However, the pharmacist has no idea what your diagnosis is. Nor do they know your medical history. They may not be aware of a special condition you’re suffering from. If you aren’t sure how to take the medication, you may just take it willy nilly. Unfortunately, when this happens, people can get terribly sick. Some even die. If this happens to your loved one, you need to contact one of our Birmingham injury lawyers right away. We can help you file a medical malpractice claim right away so you can be fairly compensated. This way, the doctor will also be held accountable for their mistake.

Often the Drugs You Are Prescribed Have an Adverse Interaction with Your Existing Medications

Most people keep the same doctor for years. Some have the same doctor for all their adult lives. When this is the case, you shouldn’t have to worry about your doctor prescribing a medication that can hurt you. They should be well aware of your current medications. If the new medicine interacts adversely with your existing prescriptions, your doctor should notice it. They should search for a different drug that doesn’t have a negative interaction with your current drug regimen. Unfortunately, some doctors don’t catch their mistake until it’s too late. You may end up in the emergency room as a result of your doctor’s negligence.

Your Doctor May Miss the Fact That You’re Allergic to the Medication

One final medication error that is worth mentioning here is when your doctor prescribes you a medicine that you’re allergic to. It’s one thing if your doctor has no idea that you have certain allergies. Unless it’s in your medical records, they have no way of knowing that. However, the doctor should ask you if you have any allergies. They should then check to see if the medication they’re about to prescribe for you will trigger that allergy. If this doesn’t happen and you get sick, you need to file a medical malpractice claim. In fact, you should call one of our Birmingham injury lawyers immediately.

Your Birmingham Injury Lawyer Will Need to Prove Fault to Get You the Damages You Deserve

Even if you’re confident that your doctor made a medication error, that isn’t enough to win your lawsuit. Your Birmingham injury lawyer will still need to show that your doctor was negligent. They will need to demonstrate that you suffered an injury of some sort. The reason doctors have medical malpractice insurance is because the law understands that everybody makes mistakes. The problem is that when your doctor makes a mistake, the results can be disastrous.

If your accountant makes a costly mistake, you may lose money. The same is true if your financial investor makes a bad investment. When it comes to your health, there isn’t always a chance to make things better. This is why you may need to file a medical malpractice claim. It has nothing to do with your being angry or upset with your doctor. It is about protecting yourself and making sure you are fairly compensated for any injury or loss you suffered.

If you think you need to file a medical malpractice claim against your doctor, we suggest you call our office immediately. It’s not always the best idea to handle these things on your own. You have no idea how the insurance carrier will react. The same is true for the medical practice that your doctor belongs to. You’re much better off letting one of our Birmingham injury lawyers handle things for you. This way, nobody takes advantage of you and there is somebody on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you deserve.