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A Doctor Prescribed The Wrong Medicines What Should I?

Dec 26, 2019 Brown Moore

Millions of Americans take prescription medications each day to stay healthy. For many people, medications are necessary to keep them healthy and alive. However, what happens if a doctor prescribes the wrong medication?

At Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC, our Charlotte medical malpractice attorneys help clients who have been harmed due to being prescribed the wrong medication. Today, we want to discuss how this happens and how this can affect a patient.

Medication mistakes happen regularly

There are many ways in which medication errors can happen, both inside of hospitals and during the course of regular medical visit interactions. Doctors do prescribe the wrong medications all the time, though the mistake is rarely intentional. Studies show that as many as 44,000 to 98,000 people die each year in the US due to medication errors, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Intentional or not, the wrong prescription can seriously injure or kill someone.

Studies have cited several reasons given by doctors and nurses for why medication mistakes occur. This includes:

  • Overworked medical staff that may overlook the information necessary to make the correct prescription
  • Inadequate communication between doctors and nurses when making the prescription
  • Interruptions while making the prescription
  • Bad handwriting

In order to prevent a prescription mistake, a doctor must obtain a full patient’s medical history. This includes what medications a patient may be allergic to. It also includes thoroughly examining a patient’s current medications. Failing to do so can lead to a doctor prescribing a medication that interacts negatively with something they are currently taking.

What you should do if you are prescribed the wrong medication

If a healthcare professional has prescribed you the wrong medication and you have been harmed because of the mistake, you need to go to the doctor immediately. Make sure that the error is corrected.

You should then contact an attorney, especially if the mistake has caused additional medical costs or pain and suffering. A Charlotte medical malpractice attorney will understand the steps to take to ensure you get the compensation you may be entitled to.

An attorney will get to work gathering evidence of the prescription error in order to prove that the doctor did make a mistake. It may be necessary for you to be evaluated by a trusted healthcare professional who can testify to the extent of your injuries and explain to a jury how the medication mistake harmed you.

We can help you get through this

If you or someone you love has been prescribed the wrong medication and suffered harm, seek legal assistance immediately. At Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC, we have the experience you need to secure the compensation you are entitled to. This can include:

  • Compensation for all medical expenses related to the mistake(s)
  • Coverage of lost income and benefits if you cannot work
  • Loss of enjoyment of life damages
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Punitive damages against the healthcare provider or agency responsible

When you need a Charlotte medical malpractice attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 800-948-0577.