Medication Error Claims in WA

Kennewick Medication Error Lawyers

Skilled representation for patients in WA when medication mistakes cause injuries or death

Medications often mean the difference between life and death for people of all ages. Medications help treat numerous diseases and medical disorders. These miracles of chemistry must be prescribed correctly. The right medications need to be prescribed for the right disease. The dosages need to be in the correct amount. Some medications are dangerous when they interact with other medications. Doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers who make medication prescription errors may be liable for medical malpractice.

At Telaré Law, our Kennewick medical malpractice lawyers work with physicians and pharmacists who understand why improper medication advice caused your injuries or the death of a loved one. We thoroughly review all the medications you took (or didn’t take). We file claims against everyone responsible for the medication errors. Our lawyers are respected for our strong record of success obtaining jury verdicts and settling medical malpractice claims. In fact, many cases settle precisely because of our track record in court.

How common are medication errors?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as of November 2021, there are nearly 6,800 prescription medications and countless over-the-counter drugs available in the United States. Doctors may also recommend health supplements, potions, lotions, and herbs. Yearly, between 7,000 to 9,000 people die in America due to medication errors. Hundreds of thousands of patients “experience but often do not report an adverse reaction or other medication complications.”

What are medication errors and adverse drug events?

NIH provides the following definitions:

  • Medication error. While there is no precise definition, the NIH considers a medication error to be “Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer.” Medication errors are a leading cause of death in America.
  • Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR). The World Health Organization defines an adverse drug reaction as “harm directly caused by the medicine at normal doses, during normal use.”
  • Adverse Drug Event (ADE). “An adverse drug event is the injury or harm one sustains because of an ADR or medication error."

What are the different types of medication errors in Kennewick?

The NIH states that medication errors include:

  • Prescribing the wrong medicine
  • Failing to prescribe the correct medicine
  • Prescribing a medication at the wrong time
  • Prescribing an unauthorized drug
  • Prescribing the wrong dosage
  • Preparing the wrong dose (the wrong strength or the wrong rate)
  • Administration errors, such as giving a drug to the wrong patient
  • Failing to monitor the patient’s health after the patient takes the drug
  • Failing to review the dangers of allergies or drug interaction dangers
  • Failing to comply with the appropriate rules and protocols for prescribing and dispensing drugs

Other medication errors include:

  • Dispensing a drug that has expired or deteriorated
  • Duration mistakes
  • Incorrect dosage form
  • Not properly informing the patient how to take the medication

Pharmacist medication errors include:

  • Not detecting dangerous drug interactions
  • Inadequate drug utilization review
  • Improper screening
  • Not counseling the patient properly
  • Not monitoring the patient
  • Preparing the wrong drug or dosage
  • Improper directions

Doctors and pharmacists may be liable for medical malpractice if they fail to explain the known or likely adverse drug reactions for each drug they prescribe or fill. If a medication error caused you harm, call Telaré Law.

Why do medication mistakes happen?

While doctors, hospitals, nurses, and pharmacists may try their best, mistakes can happen even with the best of intentions. Medication errors are preventable. Those responsible should be held accountable.

Some of the many reasons medication errors occur, according to the NIH, include:

  • Distractions. Many physicians are doing multiple tasks at once, may be paged, or may be texted while preparing the prescription. Hospitals are encouraging doctors to order “drugs at a set time after rounding on their patients; this is when they also write their daily progress notes.”
  • Distortions. Distortions include bad handwriting, symbols that are misunderstood, unclear abbreviations, and improper translations. Hospitals should have a list of medications available in the formulary. Physicians should know what drugs are available.

Other reasons for medication errors include:

  • Improper review of medical charts
  • Inexperience
  • Illegible handwriting
  • Label errors
  • Not reviewing all the other drugs a patient requires
  • Injection mistakes
  • Not reviewing the possible side effects
  • A misdiagnosis
  • Not taking a complete patient history
  • Miscommunications between doctors and nurses
  • Many other mistakes

Pharmacy mistakes are often due to illegible handwriting, lack of support personnel, a heavy workload, comparable drug names, distraction, and lack of time to educate a patient. Pharmacists may dispense the wrong medication.

What injuries are caused by medication errors?

Medication errors can cause various types of injuries depending on the reason a patient needed medications in the first place. For example, a failure to prescribe statins can cause a heart patient to have a heart attack, stroke, or die.

Medication errors may cause:

  • A medical condition to worsen
  • A medical condition to be incapable of being cured or treated
  • Adverse medical reactions
  • Birth defects
  • Disabilities
  • Death

Who is liable for a medication error in Kennewick?

At Telaré Law, our Kennewick medical malpractice lawyers file claims against all responsible parties – for medication errors. Some of the many people and businesses that may be liable for your injuries or the death of a loved one include:

  • Physicians
  • Hospitals and urgent care centers
  • Pharmacists
  • Nurses and nurse practitioners
  • Emergency room staff

Drug manufacturers may also be liable.

Medication error claims are very complicated. You need skilled trial lawyers on your side who have the experience and resources to aggressively fight your claim, try your case before a jury, and negotiate with insurance companies.

How much is my Kennewick medication error claim worth?

Our Kennewick medical malpractice lawyers demand all the compensation you deserve. Your life has changed because of the medication errors. You have financial losses. You’re in pain. You may have lost a loved one. The responsible defendants should pay for all your losses.

We demand compensation for:

  • Current and future medical care. This includes ER, surgical, physician, therapy, and other care. Your medical expenses also include the correct medications and the cost of assistive devices.
  • Current and future income loss. This amount includes your wage and benefit losses from the date of the malpractice for as long as you can’t work.
  • Personal losses/ pain and suffering. These include physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of bodily functions.

If a loved one died due to a mediation error, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family. We may also file a survival action. In some cases, we may demand punitive damages.

What is the statute of limitations for filing a medication error case in WA?

Medical malpractice claims in Washington must be filed within three years of the date of the mistake, though exceptions may apply. As a rule, if you’re having an adverse reaction, you should seek legal and medical help as quickly as possible.

Telaré Law in WA

Do you have a medication error lawyer near me?

Telaré Law meets with personal injury victims at our office in Kennewick at 819 South Auburn St. We also have an office in Richland. We meet clients at their homes or other convenient locations if you are not mobile or ill.

Speak with a seasoned Kennewick medication error lawyer today

Doctors, hospitals, and pharmacists will have experienced lawyers on their side. You need a respected Kennewick medical malpractice lawyer who knows what’s required to challenge defense lawyers and insurance companies. At Telaré Law, defense lawyers don’t like us because we thoroughly prepare your case and anticipate their arguments. We have a strong record of verdicts and settlements in a broad array of personal injury and medical malpractice cases.

To assert your right to damages for medication errors, call our Kennewick injury lawyers at 509-737-8500 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle medication error claims on a contingency fee basis. Our lawyers represent malpractice victims and families who live in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and all Southeast Washington.