Pharmacists in St. Petersburg have a responsibility to ensure they provide their patients with the appropriate medications. Serious injuries may be caused if a pharmacist provides someone with the wrong medication or the wrong dosage of the correct medication. In these situations, you may be hurt by an act of pharmacy malpractice.
If you suffered an adverse effect because of a pharmacist error, you could be entitled to compensation. A St. Petersburg pharmacy malpractice lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be able to represent you. Call one of our personal injury attorneys today for a free case review.
Medication Errors and Pharmacy Malpractice in Florida
You may have questions about the definition of pharmacy malpractice in St. Petersburg. Pharmacy malpractice is tied to medical malpractice in general. You may be able to pursue a pharmacy malpractice case if your lawyer establishes that:
- The pharmacist had a legal responsibility to provide you with care
- The pharmacist did not uphold their legal responsibility
- The failure to uphold the legal responsibility led to your injuries
In many cases, pharmacists fail to fulfill their legal responsibility to patients when they make medication errors. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, medication errors are preventable events that cause patients harm.
Types of Medication Errors
We see a number of common medication errors throughout the state of Florida. These errors may seem relatively minor, but they could end up causing serious health events. Some of the most common pharmaceutical mistakes may involve:
Drug Interactions
In many cases, different medications interact with one another. While two medications may be perfectly safe to take individually, they could cause serious problems if you take them at the same time. Pharmacists may have a duty to review the medications you are currently taking before filling a new prescription.
Incorrect Medications
There are many medications that sound or look very similar. However, these medications may have wildly different effects on the human body. It is vitally important that your pharmacist provides you with the correct medication so that you get the medical treatment you require.
Incorrect Dosages
Sometimes, pharmacists may provide you with the correct medication but at the wrong dosage level. If you receive a medication that is too strong, you could overdose. If you receive mediation that is too weak, it may not be enough to help you heal.
Allergic Reactions
Some medications may cause allergic reactions in sensitive patients. If you have a noted allergy, pharmacists should be aware of this when filling your prescription. You should not be given a medication that will cause you an allergic reaction.
If you were harmed by one of these types of medication errors, a diligent pharmacy malpractice lawyer in St. Petersburg from Distasio Law Firm may be able to help you recover compensation.
Causes of Pharmaceutical Malpractice in St. Petersburg
Pharmacists may provide you with incorrect medications for a number of different reasons. In many cases, pharmacists may be overwhelmed or unable to keep up with the demands of their business, as pharmacies handle more and more customers. Sometimes, pharmacists may:
- Not have your full medical history to review
- Be confused by records made by multiple doctors
- Attempt to fill several prescriptions at one time
In some cases, pharmacists may count on you to read packets provided with your medication regarding dangerous side-effects or possible drug interactions. However, this may be insufficient warning to prevent dangerous medical effects from taking the wrong medication.
If you believe a pharmacist did not provide you with adequate medical care, a dedicated pharmacy malpractice attorney in St. Petersburg from Distasio Law Firm may be able to represent you. Allow us to provide you with personalized attention after a medication mix-up caused you medical distress.
Compensation for a St. Petersburg Pharmacy Malpractice Case
Taking the wrong medication—or the wrong dosage of a medication—may have serious impacts on your health. You may require additional medical treatment to undo the damage of taking the wrong medicine. In this situation, you may be able to recover compensation for your:
- Current and future healthcare expenses
- Lost income as you recover from your condition
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
A proactive legal professional in St. Petersburg may review the facts of your case to determine if your injuries were the result of pharmacy malpractice. With evidence of malpractice, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.
Work with a St. Petersburg Pharmacy Malpractice Attorney on Your Case
A St. Petersburg pharmacy malpractice lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be able to help you file a claim with the insurance company representing the pharmacist. If they are not willing to make you a fair settlement offer, we may be able to take your case to trial.
Distasio Law Firm can handle all legal work and communications on your behalf when you hire us to represent you.
You should be aware that you may have a limited amount of time to seek compensation after you are hurt by an act of pharmacy malpractice in St. Petersburg. Per Florida Statute § 95.11, the statute of limitations on these claims is generally two years in Florida. If you do not take legal action before the statute of limitations runs out, you may be unable to get compensation.
Start working on a claim today with Distasio Law Firm. You may reach out to us whenever you need help. Just call for a free consultation on your case.
We may be able to represent you on a contingency-fee basis with no advanced payments required.
