Table of Contents
Table of Contents
We expect that the medication we take will help us feel better. In many cases, it does have its intended effect. However, there are cases in which prescription drugs can put a patient’s well-being at risk. When drugs are prescribed and dispensed, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists must take certain steps to ensure the patient receives the correct dosage and type of drug. Otherwise, a patient can suffer serious side effects due to allergies or reactions with other drugs.
When a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist acts negligently and injures a patient, they can be held liable for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you have been injured by a medication error, contact Freidin Brown, P.A. today. Our Fort Lauderdale medication error lawyer can help you file a claim.
Causes of Medication Errors
A nurse, doctor, or pharmacist can cause a medication error by doing the following:
- Prescribing the wrong medication. Doctors should double-check that they are prescribing the correct drug for the patient.
- Administering the wrong medication. When in a hospital environment, the nurse should ensure they are giving the patient the right medication.
- Giving a patient the wrong dosage. The dosage needs to be correct for the patient’s age and weight, as too much or too little can cause serious reactions.
- Failing to warn the patient of all risks associated with the medication. All medications come with side effects and patients should be aware so they can determine whether or not they want to take the drug.
- Dangerously mixing different prescription drugs. Doctors should have adequate information about all the drugs a person is taking, as well as any drug-drug interactions and allergies.
- Submitting illegible handwritten prescriptions. Drugs with similar-looking names can be incorrectly dispensed when prescriptions are handwritten.
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Communication Issues
Many medication errors are caused by communication issues. Patients do not always understand what is being communicated to them and when communication is unclear, medication errors can occur. Patients should know the following about each drug they take:
- Drug name
- Drug appearance
- Why they are taking the drug
- How much and how often to take the drug
- How long to take the drug
- Best time to take the drug
- What to do about a missed dose
- Common side effects
- Common interactions with other drugs or foods
Communication issues do not solely occur with prescription drugs. Over-the-counter drugs can also lead to medication errors when the labels are not thoroughly read or understood. In addition, health care providers are often unaware that patients are taking over-the-counter medications as well.
You and your staff are simply the best. Jonathan I would like to say I proud of the manner in which you conducted yourself toward my family matter. You are my mentor and someone that I look up to. . . . I will always remember you and would highly recommend you to any family and friends. We appreciate everything you did for us. Staying with us. Being patient with us. And, most importantly believing in us. Our family will forever have a feeling of gratitude for all that you have done. I have tremendous respect and appreciation for Phil Freidin. He is a powerful and kind lawyer. He has proven to me that he genuinely cares about his clients; however, he is a force to be reckoned with in the conference and court rooms. Jonathan impressed me with his professionalism and expertise! Jonathan and Lizy handled my Medical Malpractice case with skill and secured a favorable outcome! They were responsive and kept me informed throughout my process. I highly recommend them to my Family and Friends! They were not even able to take on my case, but the person who did my intake and the lawyer I spoke to were incredibly validating, kind, and helpful. I appreciated the care and time they gave me even when I did not become a client. Jonathan, Phil, and the rest of the Freidin Brown attorneys were both professional and compassionate. They were always responsive to my family and me, and they have a deep dedication to their clients. I highly recommend the great lawyers at this firm! My experience with Freidin Brown was above my expectations. Philip Freidin took my case and settlement to finish line with amazing results. I highly recommend this Law Firm. Our family was referred to Freidin Brown by another attorney who could not handle our case and from day one we felt like we were in good hands. Johnathan Freidin was always available and willing to answer any questions we had. We are extremely happy with the results of our case and would recommend this team in a heartbeat. Had the pleasure of working with Andrew this year. He was very knowledgeable, but most importantly, he asked questions and listened to truly understand MY needs. Would definitely use this team again.
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Medicine can save lives, but it can also cause a lot of harm if not taken properly. Taking the wrong dosage or the wrong medication altogether can lead to a serious or even fatal issue.
The Fort Lauderdale medication error lawyers at Freidin Brown, P.A. can assess your situation and file a claim. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the online form or by calling us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medication Error
Our firm can answer FAQs about medication error cases in Fort Lauderdale, including:
Can failure to warn me about serious side effects support a medication error claim in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Failure to warn can matter when a patient was not told about serious side effects, contraindications, or steps that should have been taken after starting the drug. A Fort Lauderdale medication error lawyer at Freidin Brown, P.A. reviews whether the provider gave enough information for safe use and informed decision-making.
Do I have a Fort Lauderdale case if a doctor prescribed a drug that dangerously interacted with my other medications?
Yes. A doctor who prescribes a drug that dangerously interacts with a patient’s existing medications may be liable if the interaction should have been identified before prescribing. The Fort Lauderdale medication error attorney at Freidin Brown, P.A. analyzes medication lists, pharmacy records, and charted allergies to determine whether the risk was avoidable.
What should I do if unclear medication instructions after discharge caused me to take a drug incorrectly in Fort Lauderdale?
Save the prescription label, discharge papers, pharmacy handouts, and any portal messages or follow-up instructions. In many cases, unclear directions about dosage, timing, or missed doses become central evidence. A Fort Lauderdale medication error lawyer at Freidin Brown, P.A. can compare what you were told with what the chart actually required.
Can a nurse, doctor, and pharmacist all share liability for the same medication mistake in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Medication mistakes often involve more than one failure, including prescribing, dispensing, and administration errors. The Fort Lauderdale medication error attorney at Freidin Brown, P.A. investigates whether a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or facility each contributed to the harm.
