Kansas City
Medication Error Attorneys
Wrong Medicine? Wrong Dose? We Can Help.
Medications are used in just about every treatment program. Whether you have suffered an injury or are struggling with a serious illness, you will likely be prescribed one or more powerful medications. But these potent drugs can be as dangerous as they are useful. Receiving the wrong drug or the incorrect dosage can have a devastating impact on your health and well-being. Sometimes, medication errors may even prove fatal.
At Cullan & Cullan, we are doctors as well as lawyers. Our Kansas City medication error attorneys are in a unique position to provide you with both the medical and legal knowledge and resources you may need to pursue justice against a negligent physician. With a free consultation, we can help you determine the best legal option for your situation.
Call (816) 253-8606 today for your free medication error case review.
Impact of Medication Errors in Kansas City
According to a report by the Institute of Medicine, medication errors injure 1.5 million Americans each year. According to the report, administration errors account for 26-32% of all medication errors. According to a news report in American Nurse Today, 7,000 Americans are killed each year by potentially preventable adverse drug events. In fact, medication errors are the number one cause of in-patient fatalities in the United States. Furthermore, about 20% of critical care medication errors are potentially life-threatening.
Common Causes of Medication Errors in Missouri
There are many reasons why medical errors occur. Identifying the reason is one of the key aspects of the legal counsel provided by our Kansas City medical malpractice lawyers at Cullan & Cullan. We must determine how the error occurred so we can hold the at-fault party liable.
Examples of negligent acts that can lead to medication errors include:
- Failing to verify the patient’s complete medical history
- Sloppy handwriting resulting in misread orders
- Failing to articulate how the drug should be administered
- Mislabeling medications
- Failing to account for the patient’s allergies or weight
- Forgetting to review what other medications patient is currently taking
- Failing to take extensive notes on the patient’s reaction to medications so necessary changes can be made
- Failing to monitor patients
Recognizing Medication Error Symptoms
Individuals who are having an adverse reaction to a medication should seek out immediate medical attention. Help should be sought out at the first sign of a problem. Symptoms that can result shortly after receiving the wrong medication may include a rash, a change in heart rate, difficulty breathing, issues with hearing or vision, seizures, diarrhea, fever, or changes in mental state.
Who Is Responsible for Medication Errors in Kansas City?
Victims of medical malpractice may pursue financial compensation from the at-fault parties. When a doctor is responsible for ordering the wrong medication, he or she may be held accountable for the harm caused to the patient. When a nurse administers the wrong drug, it may be possible to sue the nurse or hospital where the errors were made. Often, pharmacists who make mistakes can also be held accountable.
In such cases, it will be necessary to carefully investigate the specifics of the case and determine how and why the incident occurred. More than anything else, it is important for victims to have the resources they need during these challenging times to obtain guidance and support.
For immediate, knowledgeable support, call (816) 253-8606.
Contact Our Trusted Kansas City Attorneys Now.