Most people who pick up a prescription from their local pharmacy never stop and think that the medication inside the bottle could seriously hurt them. Unfortunately, pharmacy errors happen far more often than many people realize, and in some cases, these mistakes can have devastating consequences. Whether a pharmacist dispenses the wrong medication, provides the wrong dosage, or fails to recognize a potentially dangerous drug interaction, the outcome can be life-changing.
What Types of Pharmacy Errors Are Most Common?
There are several different types of pharmacy errors that may occur, and unfortunately, even what may seem like a relatively minor mistake can result in significant harm. Pharmacies are often extremely busy environments, and while pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are expected to follow strict safety protocols, mistakes still happen. Some of the most common pharmacy errors are as follows:
- Dispensing the wrong medication to a patient
- Providing the incorrect dosage or strength of medication
- Failing to include proper warning labels or instructions
- Giving medication to the wrong customer
- Failing to identify dangerous drug interactions
- Dispensing medication that has expired
- Ignoring known allergies listed within a patient’s records
What Injuries Can Be Caused by a Pharmacy Mistake?
The injuries associated with pharmacy negligence can vary significantly depending on the medication involved, the dosage, the patient’s medical history, and how long the error went unnoticed. While some pharmacy mistakes may result in temporary symptoms, others can cause permanent injuries or even fatalities. Some of the most serious injuries associated with pharmacy errors are as follows:
- Internal bleeding
- Heart complications
- Organ damage
- Respiratory failure
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Severe allergic reactions
- Cognitive impairment
- Wrongful death
What Should You Do After a Pharmacy Error Causes Harm?
If you believe that you or a loved one was injured because of a pharmacy error, the most important thing you should do is seek immediate medical treatment. Your health and safety should always come first, especially if you are experiencing severe symptoms or complications after taking a prescription medication. Once you receive medical care, there are several additional steps that may help protect both your health and any future legal claim. Some of those steps are as follows:
- Keep the prescription bottle and all packaging materials
- Save receipts and pharmacy paperwork
- Request copies of your medical records
- Document your symptoms and medical complications
- Take photographs of labels and prescription instructions
- Avoid throwing away unused medication
- Speak with a personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance companies
Ultimately, if you were harmed because of a pharmacy mistake, you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and other damages associated with your injury. In situations where a pharmacy error results in the loss of life, surviving family members may also have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Our firm is here to help. If you or a loved one has suffered a significant injury, please contact one of the experienced personal injury attorneys at Lacy Katzen, LLP for a free consultation. We have been helping people with injuries for more than 75 years.
