Medication Error Attorney in Roanoke

Medication is one of the great wonders of modern health care. Millions of people nationwide rely on various prescription drugs to treat illnesses, manage pain, and relieve symptoms. When patients receive a prescription from their doctor or fill one at their local pharmacy, they expect to receive the correct medication and dosage for their condition. Unfortunately, those expectations are not always met – sometimes with tragic results.

If you’ve been hurt or lost a loved one due to a medication error in Virginia, you may be entitled to significant compensation for what you’ve suffered. However, pursuing your claim alone could prove challenging. Evidence can be difficult to gather, there is a high standard of proof to meet, and experienced medication error attorneys are standing in your way. Instead, turn to the experienced Roanoke medical malpractice attorneys at Lichtenstein Law Group PLC. We have the knowledge and skills to handle your claim effectively and efficiently.

Contact our team today for a free consultation to learn more about how a Roanoke medication error lawyer can help you.

What Are Medication Errors?

A medication error is when a healthcare professional makes a mistake when prescribing, dispensing, or administering a medication. A patient who has been harmed by such a mistake has the right to file a medical malpractice claim to hold the at-fault professional accountable. Working with a Roanoke medication error attorney with experience handling these cases in Virginia can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

What Are Some Common Types of Medication Errors?

Medication errors come in many forms, such as:

• A physician prescribing an incorrect medicine to a patient
• A physician failing to notice that the drug they have prescribed has a negative reaction when combined with medications the patient is already taking
• A physician prescribing the incorrect dosage of a medication
• A pharmacist filling the prescription or dosage incorrectly
• An anesthesiologist administering the wrong amount of anesthesia
• A nursing home staff member giving one person’s medication to another resident

What Causes Roanoke Medication Errors?

Medication errors in Roanoke can stem from a variety of causes, such as:

• Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage due to illegible handwriting on a prescription or data entry error
• Dispensing the incorrect medication at a pharmacy after misreading a prescription or grabbing the wrong bottle from the shelves
• Administering an improper dose of a medication due to miscalculating the required amount or confusing two patients’ prescriptions
• Failing to check for allergies or medication interactions before prescribing or administering a new drug
• Miscommunicating during shift changes or patient transfers
• Making errors due to fatigue, distraction, or negligence on the part of the medical professional
• Failing to follow verification protocols for high-risk medications.
• Confusing similar names or packaging of different medications
• Not following safety protocols and procedures

Who Can Be Held Liable for Medication Errors?

Depending on the circumstances, any of the following parties might be liable for a medication error:

• The doctor or nurse practitioner who prescribed the medication
• The pharmacist who filled the prescription
• The anesthesiologist who administered a drug
• The nursing home where the mistake happened

How Do You Prove Medication Errors?

Proving that a medication error occurred requires obtaining evidence showing the healthcare professional didn’t meet the proper standard of care. This evidence may include:

• Medical records detailing the incorrect prescription, dosage, or administration
• Statements from medical staff confirming the error
• Internal hospital investigation records
• Prescription slips and pharmacy records
• Lab results showing toxicity or negative reactions
• Testimony from medical experts reviewing the case
• Protocols and procedures for dispensing and administering medications
• The harmed patient’s medical history and allergy information
• Records of staffing levels, hours worked, and available resources when the error occurred
• Testimony suggesting inadequate training or supervision of staff
• Proof that safety protocols were not followed

When Are Medication Errors Considered Medical Malpractice?

Medication errors amount to medical malpractice when the mistake occurs because a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other medical professional fails to provide care that meets accepted medical standards. An experienced medication error lawyer can analyze the details of your case to determine if you have grounds to file a medication error lawsuit.

What Damages Can Be Recovered for a Medication Error Lawsuit?

Pursuing a medication error lawsuit can allow you to recover compensation for the harm you suffered because of the mistake, including:

• Medical expenses you incurred as a result of your injury
• Income you lost due to missed time at work
• Reduced earning capacity if the error caused a disability
• Pain and suffering

Speak with one of our Roanoke medication error lawyers to learn more about what compensation you may be owed through your claim.

What Is the Deadline for Filing a Medication Error Lawsuit in Virginia?

Virginia’s statute of limitations on medical malpractice cases gives you two years from the date of injury to file suit. However, there are several exceptions to this deadline, including:

• Cases where fraud prevented the patient’s discovery of medical negligence
• Cases involving minors
• Claims involving an incapacitated adult

In any case, consulting with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible is essential. They can help you understand and meet any legal deadlines in your claim.

Contact a Virginia Medication Error Lawyer

The consequences of a medication error can turn your life upside-down. You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and angry about what happened to you. But you don’t have to deal with this challenging time alone. The skilled medication error attorneys at Lichtenstein Law Group PLC understand the challenges you are facing. We are here to work toward setting things right.

With over 100 years of combined experience securing compensation for injured Virginians, we offer dedicated advocacy and personalized attentiveness. Let us fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Virginia medication error lawyer.