Key Takeaways
- Medication errors, many involving prescribing, can cause adverse drug events, and AHRQ reports about half of those events are fully preventable.
- Errors can happen anywhere in the distribution system, including prescribing, dispensing, administering, monitoring, and repackaging medications.
- About 1.3 million people are injured by medication and prescription errors every year, as reported on medicinenet.com.
- Effects range from minor to fatal, and errors can cause new permanent or temporary conditions such as rashes or skin disfigurement.
- Prescribing physicians or the institutions that employ them are typically responsible, though nurses, hospitals, and pharmacists may also be liable.
In this article
Medication errors, many of which involve prescribing, are errors of commission or omission that can result in adverse drug events – harm suffered by patients. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) reports that approximately half of the adverse drug events are fully preventable. If you or your loved one has been harmed by a medication prescription error, get in touch with Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC in Portland, OR to find out how we can help. Our Portland medication prescription error attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee to you unless we win.
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Why Choose Our Portland Medication Prescription Error Attorney?
- Our experienced Portland medical malpractice trial lawyers are aggressive negotiators who will not hesitate to take your case to trial if necessary to recover maximum compensation.
- We have more than 50 years of combined experience and have earned a reputation for excellence.
- You can have confidence that we are honest and transparent and will always act in your best interests.
How Common Are Medication and Prescription Errors?
Mishaps in prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications can occur anywhere in the distribution system, including:
- Prescribing
- Administering
- Monitoring
- Dispensing
- Repackaging
Medication errors are among the most common medical errors in the U.S. As reported on medicinenet.com approximately 1.3 million people are injured by medication and prescription errors every year. According to the FDA, job stress, lack of product knowledge and training, and similar packaging or labeling of products may cause or contribute to this type of medical error.
“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. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
Effects of Medication Errors
As stated in an article published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, preventable medication injuries can result in severe patient injury or death. The effects can range from minor to fatal injuries. Medication errors can cause new conditions, either permanent or temporary, such as rashes or disfigurement of the skin.
Who Is Liable for a Portland Medication Error?
There are multiple potentially responsible parties for medication errors:
- Doctors who prescribed the wrong medication or the wrong dosage, and/or facility employer
- Nursing staff responsible for administering and monitoring medications, and the hospitals that employ them
- Pharmacist that dispenses the wrong medication or the wrong dosage
Prescribing physicians and/or the institutions employing them are typically the responsible parties for injuries resulting from medication prescription errors.
“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.”
Why You Need a Portland Medication Error Lawyer
Medical malpractice cases are complex and difficult to prove. If you are seeking compensation for injury caused by a medication prescription error, it is crucial to have an experienced attorney representing you.
Our Portland personal injury lawyers at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC have extensive experience handling medication error cases. We maintain a smaller caseload, which enables us to give your case the personal attention it deserves. We have the knowledge and skills to properly investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and obtain and secure evidence, including expert witness testimony. Furthermore, we are dedicated advocates who will not back down if your case goes to trial.
Medication errors can cause serious injuries with long-term effects. In the most severe cases, they can be fatal. Even worse for patients is knowing that many prescription and other medication errors are completely preventable. At Paulson Coletti Trial Lawyer PC in Portland, OR, we believe that negligent health care providers should be held accountable for the harm they cause to patients. We also believe that injured patients should recover the maximum compensation possible.
Contact Our Medication Error Attorney in Portland Today
Contact Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC today if you or your loved one has been seriously harmed by a medication prescription error.