Any time a pharmacist provides a patient with the wrong medication, there is the possibility that there will be serious, potentially life-threatening consequences. However, when the victim of a Maryland pharmacy error is a young child, the risk that the error will result in serious injury or death significantly increases. And while parents should check all labels and all accompanying literature to ensure that an error has not occurred, the duty ultimately rests with the pharmacist to accurately fill a prescription.
In many cases, after a child is given the wrong medication the parent will quickly realize that there has been an error because their child will exhibit symptoms. However, some symptoms may not arise immediately, and may take days, weeks, or even months to arrive. Generally speaking, a Maryland pharmacy error victim has three years to bring a claim under the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations may be tolled from the time of the error to the point where the patient realizes that she suffered injury. Additionally, if the patient is a minor, the statute of limitations is tolled until the day before the minor turns 18 years old. However, just like most things in life, it is not a good idea to wait until the last minute to file a claim.
Newborn Baby Given the Wrong Medication by Local Pharmacy
Earlier this month, a local news article reported on a pharmacy error that allegedly occurred at a CVS pharmacy. Evidently, a mother picked up what she thought was a prescription for her newborn daughter’s acid reflux. The mother gave the medication to her daughter for two weeks before realizing that the drug the pharmacist provided her was actually a steroid. During the period when the newborn was taking the unprescribed steroid, she was vomiting, swollen, not sleeping and cried more often than usual.
The girl’s mother told reporters that she feels guilty because she did not catch the error. However, she went on to explain, “I am not a medical professional. I don’t know what I’m reading. I’m trusting that the pharmacy is giving me the right medicine.” Apparently, the pharmacist apologized to the girl’s mother but could not explain how the error occurred. The pharmacy also refunded the money she paid for the medication.
Has Your Child Been the Victim of a Maryland Pharmacy Error?
If your child has recently been the victim of a Maryland pharmacy error, contact the dedicated Maryland personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover financial compensation for the suffering your child has been forced to endure. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, we represent accident victims across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., and provide free consultations to all prospective clients to discuss their case and how we can help. To learn more, call 410-654-3600 to schedule your free consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
Statutes of Limitations in Maryland Pharmacy Error Cases, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, January 23, 2019.
ISMP Hopes Maryland Pharmacists Will Take Extra Precautions After Fatal Pharmacy Error, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, February 4, 2019.