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Taking a medication dose appropriate for your needs and body is crucial to recovering from illness or appropriately managing symptoms. Frequently, though, this does not happen, and this can be for a number of reasons. Sometimes, we take a dose that is too low to be therapeutic for us, resulting in ongoing symptoms that could be dangerous.
Similarly, sometimes, we may take doses that are too high to be appropriate, which can also cause adverse reactions and have lasting effects. If underdosing or overdosing on medication has caused injury to you, it may be beneficial to consult an experienced Portland medical malpractice attorney to discuss your options.
Underdosing in medicine occurs when a medication is taken at a sub-therapeutic level. This may be due to manufacturing errors, where the medication is mislabeled or manufactured at an inappropriate dose. Suppose you are taking life-saving insulin and receive a dose that is incorrectly labeled as more concentrated than it is, resulting in blood sugar that you have a hard time getting down. This can have dangerous side effects and may even result in a Portland wrongful death claim.
Beyond manufacturing or dispensing issues, a doctor may prescribe a dosage that is too low. This may be to reduce side effects without entirely recognizing the importance of a therapeutic dose, or it could be due to outdated height or weight information for weight-based dosage. This is particularly common in small children who grow quickly or adults whose weight fluctuates.
At Paulson Coletti, “liberty and justice for all” is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. With a high success rate both in and out of the courtroom, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.
A third cause of underdosing is due to medication noncompliance. This happens when a patient does not take the medication as prescribed. Maybe they take a lower dose because they are concerned about taking the full dose and are not appropriately educated on their medication regimen. Or they may have a medication that should be taken multiple times a day and forget to take it, resulting in a lower daily dose than is appropriate.
Some of the main culprits in overdose cases across the country and in Oregon are opioids and stimulants. A PubMed article on stimulants and the fourth wave of the opioid overdose crisis explains that the more recent increase in stimulant overdose is because they are being used concurrently with opiates. When a person tries to take the stimulant to counter the effect of the opiate, it can become life-threatening.
Prescription opiates like Oxycodone or Vicodin are typically prescribed for moderate to severe pain following surgeries or for short-term pain management. Short-term, monitored use may decrease the chances of developing a dependence and abuse of the drug. This can become a problem when physicians are not adequately monitoring their patient’s use of these medications and begin overprescribing or do not adequately step down a patient who may have become dependent. In these cases, people may resort to recreational opiates like heroin or fentanyl.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
When it comes to medication, ensuring that a medication is correctly prescribed, dispensed, and administered is a group effort. While it is up to the physician to know what medications you are on to avoid negative interactions and ensure that the dosages are appropriate for you, the pharmacist should double-check the interactions and the dosage to ensure it is appropriate for your particular care. If you feel that errors have been made and not addressed, it may be time to contact an attorney to help. These medication errors are not always small mistakes and can cause significant harm.
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At Paulson Coletti, a local firm based in Oregon, justice is our mission. As experienced trial attorneys, we fight for injury victims across Oregon and Washington, holding negligent parties accountable. With a proven track record in and out of the courtroom, we are dedicated to securing fair compensation for our clients. We take a client-centered approach, focusing on cases we believe in and delivering results that matter. No fees unless we win-because justice should never come with financial risk.
Client Reviews
John and Lisa were extremely helpful with my family as we navigated damages sustained in a tragic car accident. They were very knowledgeable throughout the entire process. Their communication and empathy to our situation was greatly appreciated.
I can’t imagine working our way through the tragedy without them by our side. I would highly recommend Paulson and Coletti!
Working with John was an excellent experience from start to finish. He fought long and hard to secure a fair and just settlement in our case, and his dedication never wavered. John and his staff were consistently considerate, helpful, and communicative throughout the entire process, always taking the time to answer our questions and keep us informed. Given the complicated and sensitive nature of our case, I’m truly grateful we had John in our corner. Thanks to his hard work and expertise, we achieved a better outcome than we could have hoped for.
I had an excellent experience working with Jane and her team on my accident case. From start to finish, their team was professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about getting the best possible outcome for me.
I highly recommend Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys to anyone who needs legal representation. They made a stressful situation much easier to navigate, and I’m extremely grateful for everything they did for me.
I recently engaged John Coletti to represent me in a challenging legal matter, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. From our initial consultation, it was evident that John possessed an exceptional depth of knowledge, strategic acumen, and unwavering dedication to his clients. He took the time to thoroughly understand the nuances of our case, explaining complex legal concepts in clear, accessible terms while always keeping me informed and involved throughout the process.
John not only delivered outstanding results but also provided compassionate support during what could have been an overwhelming stressful time.
If you’re seeking an attorney who combines professionalism, integrity, and proven success, look no further than John Coletti.
My family is profoundly grateful for his representation.
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This page has been written, edited, and fact-checked by our team of legal writers in accordance with our editorial guidelines. It has been approved by partners Jane Paulson and John Coletti—respected trial attorneys with decades of experience representing personal injury victims.
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