Houston Medication Error Attorney
What are Medication Errors?
Medication errors are preventable events that occur as a result of the inappropriate use of medications. When a medication error is responsible for harm, it is known as a “preventable adverse drug event.” Medication errors that do not result in harm are called “potential adverse drug events.” Medication errors can involve:
- Inappropriate prescribing of a particular drug
- Under or over-prescribing a drug
- Administering the wrong drug
- Administering the wrong dosage of the right drug
- Administering the drug via the wrong route (i.e., IV vs. oral)
- Administering the drug too frequently or not frequently enough
- Failing to monitor a drug once administered
Medication errors can also occur from a mistake in writing the prescription, including illegible writing. Medication errors can be minor, causing little to no harm or serious, causing long-term damage or even death. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury due to a medication error, you could potentially have a medical malpractice claim. The Brothers Law Firm can help you determine whether you have a valid claim and, if so, can guide you through the process in the easiest way, answering all your questions along the way.
What Causes Medication Errors?
Medication errors can happen when your physician prescribes a drug, when you receive a drug at the hospital, when you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy, or in a senior living facility or another type of facility. Children are at exceptionally high risk for medication errors because of their age and low body weight. The most common causes of medication errors include:
- Illegible handwriting on the part of the prescriber
- Miscommunication or poor communication between doctors
- Miscommunication or poor communication between patient and doctor
- Drug names that sound alike
- Medications that look alike
- Medical abbreviations
How Often Do Medication Errors Occur?
The FDA reports receiving more than 100,000 United States reports each year regarding medication errors. A serious harmful result of a medication error includes death, a life-threatening situation, hospitalization, disability, or a congenital disability (birth defect). In truth, however, a relatively small percentage of medication errors are reported to the FDA. According to datarayusa.com, medication errors are responsible for as many as 7,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, and at least 1.5 million preventable adverse drug events occur annually.
This same source concluded that almost 40 percent of medication errors occur during the ordering process, 12 percent during the verification process, 11 percent during the preparation and dispensing process, and 38 percent during administration. As many as one in five medication doses administered in hospitals is given in error. However, the errors usually include the right medicine provided at the wrong time, and omission of a dose, which are unlikely to cause serious, irreparable harm.
Dedicated. Experienced. Successful.
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“He kept me informed throughout my case and was always available to answer any questions…During this difficult time, he was always compassionate and understanding. I would highly recommend John Brothers.”- J. Kveton
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“He ALWAYS represented me fairly and honestly, plus he is a very good at just visiting with you. After a short while i quit worrying about his his legal ability, honesty and integrity as he has no shortcomings in these areas.”- Dick A.
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“He is wonderful and get the job done couldn’t ask for better attorney. I will definitely recommend him to all my friends if they need a medical malpractice attorney.”- Amanda S.
In zealously representing our clients, we follow the Golden Rule, providing the same representation to our clients that we would provide to our family. Our goal is to efficiently prosecute our clients’ claims to maximize client recovery, mitigate the financial burden imposed upon our clients’ lives, and to deter similar wrongs from happening to others. One of the ways we aim to stand out from other law firms by the personal service we provide.
