Boston Pharmacy Errors Lawyer
We rely on our doctors and pharmacists to prescribe and give us the correct medication to treat our illness or medical condition.
When a pharmacy makes a prescription error, it can cause severe injuries and harm. In some cases, a pharmacy error can cause a wrongful death.
The Boston pharmacy errors lawyers of Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP have been assisting clients in Boston, Massachusetts, for more than a decade.
We fight for our clients’ rights to receive fair and just compensation for their injuries and damages caused by a medication error. Our legal team has recovered six-figure awards for our clients.
Contact our law firm to request a free consultation with one of our Boston personal injury attorneys.
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How Our Boston Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Injured Because of a Pharmacy Error
You have the right to consult with experienced Boston pharmacy error lawyers. Do not allow an insurance company to convince you that it is in your best interest to settle a claim without a lawyer. You are not alone.
Our Boston personal injury lawyers at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP have considerable experience handling these types of personal injury cases.
We have the resources, skills, and experience you want on your side as you go up against a massive insurance company and a large corporation. Our century of combined experience has taught us how to win cases for our clients.
When you hire Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, you can expect us to:
- Listen to what happened to you and explain your legal rights in a way that is easy to understand
- Investigate your claim thoroughly and provide an honest assessment of your case
- Handle all communications with the insurance company
- File insurance claims and work to settle those claims for maximum compensation
- Monitor all deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits.
- Represent your best interests inside and outside of the courtroom
We vigorously fight to get you the top award available for your claim. Recovering maximum compensation for you is the goal of everything we do as we handle your case.
Contact our personal injury attorneys in Boston, MA, to request your free consultation. We are here to help you when you need a trusted legal advocate on your side.
How Commonly Do Pharmacy Errors Occur?
Approximately 7,000 to 9,000 people die each year in the United States because of medication errors. Hundreds of thousands of patients may experience adverse effects from medication errors but never report the incidents. The FDA estimated that up to 1.3 million people sustain injuries because of medication errors each year.
Medication errors can occur at each phase of the chain, from the prescribing physician to the person taking the medication. Pharmacy errors account for many of the medication mistakes made each year.
What Are Common Causes of Pharmacy Errors?
Many pharmacy errors involve one of two types of mistakes – errors in judgment or mechanical errors.
Errors in judgment might include:
- Failing to obtain an allergy history
- Making assumptions about a poorly written prescription instead of checking with the physician
- Failing to provide information to the patient about drug interactions, known risks, and side effects
- Inadequate drug utilization review
Mechanical errors may include dispensing the incorrect medication, the wrong dosage, giving the patient someone else’s prescription, using an expired product, and giving the patient the wrong material with the medication.
The reasons pharmacists make mistakes include fatigue from overworking, distractions, lack of training, working under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and lack of support staff.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by Pharmacy Errors
The injuries caused by pharmacy errors range from mild side effects to death. The extent of the harm and injury depends on the type of medication, the person’s health conditions, the medication dosage, how long the patient takes the medication, and other factors.
Potential injuries from errors and mistakes from taking the wrong filled prescriptions include:
- Worsening of a current medical condition or illness
- Potential adverse events such as damage to internal organs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Permanent nerve damage
- Seizures and convulsions
- Heart attacks, high blood pressure, and strokes
- Developing complications and life-threatening conditions
Individuals who discover they have been taking the wrong prescription medication need to contact their physician immediately. Depending on the situation, emergency medical attention might be required. If you experience chest pains, high or low blood pressure, or other life-threatening symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately for care.
Who is Liable for a Pharmacy Error?
In many cases, the pharmacist is responsible for damages caused by a pharmacy error. If the prescription was written incorrectly, the doctor could be liable.
However, the pharmacist has a duty to question prescriptions that are illegibly written. If the medication or dose appears incorrect, a pharmacist should verify the information with the doctor before filling the prescription.
Proving a pharmacist was negligent can be difficult; you must prove the elements of a medical malpractice claim, including:
- The pharmacist owed you a duty of care
- The pharmacist breached the duty of care
- The breach was the direct and proximate cause of your injury
- You sustained damages because of the breach
Medical experts are retained to review and analyze the facts of the case. You need to prove that the medication caused your harm and the pharmacist was negligent in giving you the medication. Medical experts can assist in proving both legal requirements.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Pharmacy Error?
You are entitled to economic and non-economic damages if you’ve been injured due to a medical professional’s negligence. Economic damages compensate you for financial losses arising from your injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, and future lost earnings. Non-economic damages compensate for damages that are not monetary in nature, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
Massachusetts law only gives you three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit to recover your damages. So, it’s important to contact an experienced attorney immediately after your accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Boston Pharmacy Error Lawyers
A pharmacy error can cause you to suffer significant physical and emotional harm. It can also result in significant financial damages. Our Boston pharmacy error attorney works diligently to get you the compensation you deserve.
Reach out to our law office to request your free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Boston.
In addition to the greater Boston area, we represent clients in:
- Plymouth County
- Bristol County
- Norfolk County
- Worcester County
- Middlesex County
- Essex County
- Suffolk County
If you have questions about a pharmacy error case or medical malpractice claim, please do not hesitate to contact our office.