Atlanta Medication Errors Lawyer

Diligent Medication Errors Attorneys Serving Atlanta, GA

Data shows that more than half of Americans regularly take at least one prescription medication, with many individuals on multiple prescriptions, often from different healthcare providers. These medications are essential for managing various serious health conditions. However, medications can have significant side effects, and mistakes related to their prescription or administration can lead to severe or even fatal outcomes. In the event of these severe outcomes, an Atlanta medication errors lawyer can be your advocate.

It is crucial for all medical professionals, including prescribing doctors and pharmacists, to exercise caution and care when prescribing and administering medications. If a medication error occurs and results in harm to the patient, both the patient and their family may have grounds for a claim against the healthcare providers whose negligence led to the injury.

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a medication error, contact our team today at 404-721-1050 to discuss your legal options.

How do Medication Errors Occur?

Nurses are specifically trained to adhere to the “8 rights” when administering medications: (1) the right medication; (2) to the right patient; (3) in the right dose; (4) via the right route; (5) at the right time; (6) for the right reason; (7) that produces the right response; and (8) accompanied by the right documentation. Unfortunately, errors can occur at any stage of this process, often due to overworked healthcare providers who may not be fully attentive.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury due to a medication error, it is important to consult with an experienced Atlanta medical malpractice attorney to discuss your legal options and explore the possibility of filing a claim.

The Consequences of Medication Errors

Medication errors can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. The specific impact varies depending on the nature of the error, but some common outcomes include:

• Adverse Health Effects: Patients may experience harmful side effects, allergic reactions, or overdose due to incorrect dosages, the wrong medication, or improper administration routes. This can lead to hospitalization, long-term health issues, or permanent disability.
• Prolonged Recovery Time: Errors in medication can delay the healing process or worsen existing medical conditions, resulting in a longer recovery period, more intensive treatments, and added medical expenses.
• Fatalities: In extreme cases, medication errors—such as administering an overdose or a contraindicated drug—can lead to death. These cases may arise from systemic issues like poor communication, lack of proper checks, or understaffed healthcare facilities.
• Increased Medical Costs: Treatment to address the consequences of a medication error can be costly, adding substantial financial strain on the patient and their family. This includes hospitalizations, additional medications, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
• Emotional and Psychological Impact: Patients and their families may suffer emotional distress, anxiety, or depression as a result of the harm caused by a medication error. This psychological burden can be significant, especially if the error leads to permanent injury or death.
• Loss of Trust in Healthcare Providers: A medication error can erode a patient’s trust in the medical professionals involved, leading to emotional turmoil and reluctance to seek future care. This can have long-term implications for the patient’s health management.
• Legal Consequences: If a medication error is deemed negligent or a result of malpractice, it can lead to legal actions against the healthcare providers or institutions responsible. This may result in financial settlements or verdicts for the victim and can damage the professional reputations of the involved parties.

It is important for healthcare providers to maintain diligence, clear communication, and adherence to proper protocols to minimize the risk of medication errors and their associated consequences. If you or someone you know has been affected by a medication error, consulting with our Atlanta medication errors attorney may help to determine if there is grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

What Damages are Available in a Successful Claim Based on Medication Errors?

The damages available following a medication error will depend on a number of case-specific factors. In serious cases, patients have been able to collect damages adding up to millions of dollars as a result of medication mistakes. Damages are at least in part related to the economic loss caused by your injuries. If the reaction to the medication error led to a need for immediate medical treatment, those costs would be included in the damage as would any ongoing medical needs, rehabilitation, and future projected medical costs. Patients who miss time from work or suffer employment and income-related losses can also recover for those damages. Of course, economic losses are only a small part of what these injuries can do to individuals and their families. Courts also allow plaintiffs to collect damages for pain and suffering and the impact the injuries had on their life. In the event of a tragic wrongful death claim, the family can seek damages related to funeral expenses, loss of support, and the loss of consortium. To learn more about the damages that apply in your particular case, our Atlanta medical malpractice attorney can assist.

Call Our Atlanta Medication Errors Lawyer Today

At The Moses Firm, our attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that our clients recover the compensation to which they are entitled. We understand how devastating it can be to suffer injuries at the hands of the healthcare workers whose job it is to care for patients. Call us today at 404-721-1050 for a free consultation with one of our experienced Atlanta medication errors attorneys.