Medication errors can result in devastating consequences. They occur from a patient being given the wrong drug or dosage of a drug, or a healthcare provider failing to identify dangerous drug interactions that should have been detected.
If a medication error in Fort Lauderdale has harmed you or a loved one, you have the right to hold the responsible parties accountable. Medication error cases fall under medical malpractice law in Fort Lauderdale and require skilled legal representation to build your best case and recover the compensation you are entitled to.
At Rosen Injury Law, our Fort Lauderdale medication error lawyers have recovered over $125 million in compensation for our clients. We work with medical and pharmaceutical experts to thoroughly investigate your case, identify all negligent parties, and establish your damages so we can help you secure maximum compensation.
Call (954) 787-1500 or complete the short form on our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your Fort Lauderdale medication error claim.
Understanding Medication Errors
A medication error is any incorrect or inappropriate administration, distribution, or recommendation of medication that causes patient harm. They typically happen when healthcare providers fail to exercise proper care.
It is essential to distinguish between medication errors and medication side effects or adverse reactions. All medications have a risk of side effects, and patients are typically warned about them. Medication errors, however, are preventable mistakes caused by negligence.
Consequences of Medication Errors
The impact of medication errors can range from minor inconvenience to catastrophic injury and even death. Adverse drug reactions from incorrect medications or anesthesia can cause allergic responses ranging from rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Medication errors can lead to organ damage when toxic doses of medications harm the kidneys, liver, or other organs. Some patients suffer brain damage from medication-induced strokes, oxygen deprivation, or harmful effects on the nervous system.
Prolonged illness may result when the wrong medication is given instead of the correct treatment, allowing the underlying condition to worsen. Additional medical treatment becomes necessary to address both the original condition and the complications from the medication error.
In the worst cases, medication errors can be fatal. Overdoses of high-risk medications like opioids, insulin, or blood thinners can cause death, as can the administration of drugs to which a patient has a known severe allergy. Speak to a wrongful death lawyer in Fort Lauderdale for more information.
Common Types of Medication Errors
Medication errors can occur at multiple stages of the patient-healthcare provider experience. Your physician may prescribe the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or the inappropriate frequency for your condition. Pharmacies may fail to fill your prescription correctly. They may dispense the wrong medication, the incorrect strength, mislabel the medication bottle with the wrong instructions, or miss a dangerous interaction between the new medicines and other drugs you are already taking.
In hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities, nurses and other staff members may make medication administration errors. This involves giving a patient the wrong medication, the incorrect dose, at the wrong time, or failing to adequately monitor the patient after administration.
Compensation Available in Fort Lauderdale Medication Error Cases
The type and amount of compensation you can recover from a Fort Lauderdale medication error claim depend on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries and the strength of your claim.
In a successful medication error claim, you can recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover all past and future medical expenses related to treating the consequences of the medication error, including emergency care, hospitalizations, medications, and rehabilitation. Lost wages and diminished earning capacity are recoverable if the error has affected your ability to work. Other economic losses may include costs for ongoing care, home health services, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-economic damages address your intangible losses. They include pain and suffering, emotional and mental distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and other intangible losses and costs incurred due to a medication error.
At Rosen Injury Law, our Fort Lauderdale medication error lawyers often consult with medical and economic experts to accurately calculate the full value of your current and future damages. We fight to recover all available compensation to help you rebuild your life.
How Long Do I Have To File a Medication Error Claim in Florida?
Generally, you have two years from the date you discovered or should have found the medication error to file your claim. However, Florida also has a statute of repose that bars claims filed more than four years after the negligent act, regardless of when you discovered the injury.
Limited exceptions exist for cases involving fraud, concealment, or intentional misrepresentation by the healthcare provider. Minors may also have different deadlines.
These strict time limits make it essential to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as you suspect a medication error caused you harm. Delay can result in the permanent loss of your right to pursue compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Fort Lauderdale Medication Error Cases?
Who can be held liable in Fort Lauderdale medication error cases depends on the specific facts of your case. Potentially liable parties may include physicians, nurses, healthcare facilities, healthcare facility staff, and pharmacists.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers may also be held liable for defects that result in contaminated or improperly formulated medications, inadequate labeling, or misleading marketing.
At Rosen Injury Law, our Fort Lauderdale medication error lawyers have the experience, skills, and resources to identify all possible causes and liable parties for your medication error injuries and hold those parties accountable for paying the full value of your damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Rosen Injury Law
If a medication error has harmed you or a loved one, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. At Rosen Injury Law, our injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale have been protecting the rights of injury victims for decades. We want to help you secure the full compensation you deserve.
Call (954) 787-1500 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your Fort Lauderdale medication error claim.