Medication Error Lawyers Helping Delaware Move Forward After Negligence

Last updated on August 2, 2024

Medication errors can lead to severe complications, including brain injuries, organ damage or failure, heart attacks and death. Our attorneys at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP help victims in Delaware understand their rights and what legal action they can take against doctors, hospitals and clinics after suffering from a medication error.

We understand how difficult life can be after being the victim of a medication error. You may feel like you can no longer trust your doctor or the hospital. Our law firm was founded in 1959, and all our personal injury lawyers do is help victims of negligence. You can trust us to advocate for your rights, and know that we always fight to find the best path to recovery for you and your family.

Is Suing A Doctor For Prescribing Too Much Medication Possible?

A healthcare professional, such as a doctor or a surgeon, owes a duty of care to their patients. They are supposed to uphold the standard of care that these patients would expect in any medical center within the state. When doctors deviate from this type of care, it can create serious legal issues.

One example of deviating from the accepted standard of care is if the doctor overprescribes certain medications. When a doctor prescribes too much medication, it can lead to health complications for that patient, who may be able to sue their physician. The patient trusted the doctor to put their best interests first and give them proper advice and medical treatment. If the doctor failed to do so—and harmed the patient—a lawsuit may be possible.

Although overprescribing can happen with almost any medication, it’s a serious issue with painkillers and opioids. Examples include:

• Oxycodone
• Morphine
• Hydrocodone
• Percocet
• Codeine

These are often highly addictive, even though they are effective. Patients may need powerful painkillers to help them recover after medical treatment, but giving the patient too much could cause them to become addicted. The patient could then suffer harm, such as the physical consequences of taking too high of a dose – known as an accidental overdose – or the loss of a job due to their new painkiller addiction. Additionally, patients may turn to illegal drugs, such as heroin, when suffering from an opioid addiction.

These prescription errors mean the patient isn’t getting the medical treatment they expected and could suffer serious harm. They may want to set up a consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer to explore all their legal options.

Talking to a personal injury law firm like Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP for overprescribing medicine may indeed be possible when medical professionals act negligently and without regard for the patient’s best interests.

Types Of Medication Errors And What Action You Can Take

Medications are prescribed by a doctor for a reason. When a doctor fails to warn a patient about the side effects, prescribes the wrong type of medication or the wrong dose, serious complications can occur. Other types of medication errors can include starting or stopping the medication too late and failing to monitor the patient and altering treatment.

Victims of medication errors may be able to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor who prescribed the medication and the hospital or clinic where they were treated. These cases can be complex. Our lawyers have the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to help you find the best resolution in your case. With a nurse paralegal on staff to help review your condition, we understand what options are available in your specific case.

We always work to find the best outcome for you, and we are not afraid to take your case to trial. Don’t wait to speak with us if you have been the victim of a medication error. We will aggressively fight against insurance companies on your behalf while providing compassionate, caring legal advice throughout your case.

Who Can Be Held Liable For Medication Errors?

When you trust medical professionals with your health, the last thing you expect is for their mistakes to cause you harm. Unfortunately, medication errors are a serious form of medical malpractice that can have devastating consequences.

Medication errors can come about at different stages of patient care, and multiple parties may be held responsible:

• Hospitals: Health care facilities must implement protocols and systems to prevent medication errors. They may be liable if their policies or staff training are inadequate.
• Doctors: Physicians who prescribe the wrong medication, incorrect dosage or fail to consider harmful drug interactions can be held accountable.
• Nurses: Nursing staff responsible for administering medication can be liable if they give the wrong drug, incorrect dose or administer medication to the wrong patient.
• Pharmacists: Errors in filling prescriptions or failing to catch dangerous drug interactions can lead to pharmacist liability.
• Pharmaceutical companies: In some cases, drug manufacturers may be held responsible for inadequate warnings or defective medications.

Determining liability in medical error cases isn’t as simple as it may sound – it is a complex legal process. For instance, multiple parties might share responsibility or systemic issues within a healthcare facility, contributing to anesthesia errors and other medication mistakes.

Furthermore, Delaware’s statute of limitations places strict time limits on filing medical malpractice claims. For this and many other reasons, legal assistance is wise. As your legal team, we understand the complexities of malpractice cases and can help you overcome them.

With a statewide reach, we have the knowledge and resources to handle even the most complicated claims. We can support you through the entire legal process, from collecting evidence to dealing with insurance companies and, if needed, representing you in court.

We work with medical experts to review records, analyze procedures and identify all potentially liable parties in a medication error case. This comprehensive approach helps to ensure that every detail is addressed in your pursuit of just financial compensation.

We Only Get Paid If We Win Your Case. Talk To Us Today.

Based in Wilmington, we represent clients throughout Delaware. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a medication error, call our law firm at 302-298-0370 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.