Many of us take medications to help with medical conditions or when recovering from an illness. We rely on our pharmacists to provide us with the correct medications to help us heal. However, sometimes pharmacists make mistakes, leading to you receive improper medications or dosages. This could be considered an act of medical malpractice in Clearwater.
A Clearwater pharmacy malpractice lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be able to assist you if you were given incorrect medications and suffered harm as a result of a medication mix-up. Start reviewing your case right now by contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer from our firm. You may reach a member of our team for a free consultation by calling today.
Distasio Law Firm handles cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning our clients do not may for our services unless and until they recover compensation.
UNDERSTANDING PHARMACY MALPRACTICE IN CLEARWATER
All healthcare practitioners in Florida—including pharmacists—are required to uphold a certain standard of care. They are legally obligated to provide patients with reasonable and responsible care.
In the cases of pharmacists, they may be required to make sure that they give patients the correct medication, as well as the correct dosage. They may also have a responsibility to review other medications taken by the patient to ensure that there will not be a dangerous drug interaction. Pharmacists may also need to ensure that patients are not allergic to any medications before they dispense the drug.
Pharmacists who do not take these steps may be engaging in pharmacy malpractice. Receiving incorrect filled prescriptions and bad medication may have serious impacts on your life. If you were hurt because of a medication error, call a Clearwater personal injury attorney at Distasio Law Firm today.
The top 5 most common errors made in pharmacies that lead to injury, illness, and other harm in patients.
DANGEROUS RESULTS OF PHARMACY MALPRACTICE
All acts of pharmacy malpractice in Clearwater should be taken seriously. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), taking the wrong medication may result in hospitalization or even death. There are a number of reasons pharmacy mistakes are so dangerous. You may face serious consequences if:
- You are allergic to the drug you were mistakenly given
- You are exposed to dangerous side effects
- The drug interacts poorly with another medication you take
- You receive too much or too little of the drug
You may need to seek medical care right away if you realize you took the wrong medication, even if you only took the wrong dosage of the correct drug. Sometimes, getting help quickly may allow a medical professional to mitigate the negative effects of the medication.
Visiting a doctor after you take the wrong medication may also allow your prescription to be corrected, so you can begin getting the treatment you require. Make sure that you do not hesitate to visit a healthcare provider after you experience pharmacy malpractice in Clearwater.
FACTORS THAT LEAD TO PHARMACY MALPRACTICE
Pharmacists may engage in acts of pharmacy malpractice for a number of reasons. Pharmacists may dispense incorrect medication because they are over-worked or distracted. In some cases, they may not be familiar with your medical file, especially if you have medication orders from multiple doctors.
However, it is part of their job to ensure that they provide you with the correct medications. Note that, according to Mayo Clinic, drug mix-ups also occur if pharmacists are:
- Confused by medical abbreviations
- Not careful with drugs with similar-sounding names
- Unable to communicate clearly with your doctor
Regardless of the reasons for the medication error, the team at Distasio Law Firm believes that the individual responsible should be held accountable in a personal injury case. We may be able to investigate the actions of the pharmacy and the pharmacist to determine what happened.
POSSIBLE COMPENSATION FOR A PHARMACY MALPRACTICE CASE
You may be eligible to receive compensation if you were injured due to an act of pharmacy malpractice. Generally, you could be able to secure damages to cover the costs of your medical treatment. This may include:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Medical procedures and assessments
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
An injury caused by a medical error could prevent you from returning to work right away. In this situation, you could receive compensation for your lost wages at work. If you suffer a serious injury that results in a disability, you could even get compensation for your lost earning potential.
A proactive Clearwater pharmacy malpractice attorney from Distasio Law Firm may also be able to help you get coverage for your pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
PURSUING COMPENSATION FOR PHARMACY MALPRACTICE CASES
Resolving a pharmacy malpractice claim in Clearwater may be complicated. In order to get compensation for your losses, your lawyer may need to demonstrate that:
- Your pharmacist was in a relationship to provide you with medical care
- The pharmacist failed to uphold a reasonable standard of care
- The result of the pharmacist’s actions caused you measurable harm
The team at Distasio Law Firm may begin investigating your claim as soon as we sign on to your case. We may be able to review previous complaints about the pharmacy or pharmacists. Our team may speak with medical experts who understand the standard of care that pharmacists are supposed to uphold. During this process, we may build a claim for you.
After building your claim, a skilled pharmacy malpractice lawyer in Clearwater may open negotiations with the insurance company that protects the pharmacy or pharmacist. Through negotiations, your lawyer may secure you a settlement to cover your medical expenses and other losses.
If the responsible party’s insurance company does not make you a fair settlement offer, we can take your case to trial.
CONTACT A CLEARWATER PHARMACY MALPRACTICE ATTORNEY TODAY
A Clearwater pharmacy malpractice lawyer from Distasio Law Firm, Clearwater’s Personal Injury Lawyer, may be able to manage your medical and pharmacy malpractice case and file a lawsuit while you concentrate on your recovery. We will seeking compensation and file a claim on your behalf.
Call now to discuss your medication error and potential personal injury claim with a free case evaluation.
