Pharmacy errors always carry a risk of causing serious or potentially fatal consequences. However, when the victim of a Maryland pharmacy error is a child or young adult, the chances of the victim suffering serious injuries are greatly increased.
Pharmaceutical drugs, by their very nature, are extremely powerful substances that have the power to cure but also the power to cause serious harm. Even a slight variance in the prescribed dose of a medication to a child or young adult patient can result in serious injuries. However, the reality is that several thousand young patients are provided the wrong medication or the wrong dose of their medication each year. While the pharmaceutical industry is in the process of reworking the system to reduce these errors, there has yet to be any appreciable decrease in error rates among young patients.
Maryland Pharmacy Error Cases
When a pharmacist provides a young patient with the wrong type of medication or the wrong dose of their prescribed medication, and the patient suffers injuries as a result, the young patient and his family may be able to seek compensation for his injuries through a Maryland pharmacy error lawsuit. Most often, these cases are contested by pharmacies, and anyone considering bringing a pharmacy error claim should speak with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney prior to doing so.
Recent Lawsuit Seeks Unspecified Damages After Teen Is Given 5x Dose of Narcotic Medication
Last month, the mother of a teen who was a victim of a pharmacy error filed a pharmacy error lawsuit against the pharmacy she alleges provided her son with a dose five times stronger than that prescribed by the physician. According to a local news source covering the recently filed case, the teen has health conditions that render him bedridden. Prior to the error, he developed bedsores and was prescribed narcotic pain medication by his physician.
When the teen’s mother went to pick up the prescription, she was given a dose five times stronger than that which was prescribed by her son’s doctor. She gave her son the medication, at which point he stopped breathing, turned blue, and began vomiting. The boy’s mother performed CPR and was able to get her son breathing before emergency personnel responded, who then administered Narcan to the teen. He was taken to the hospital, where he recovered; however, it is not known at this time if the teen will suffer any long-term consequences of the pharmacy error.
Have You Been a Victim of a Maryland Pharmacy Error?
If you or a loved one has recently been a victim of a Maryland pharmacy error, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. While these cases may seem straightforward, the reality is that pharmacies and their insurance companies fight tooth-and-nail to avoid liability. This often requires the use of expert witnesses at trial to establish certain elements of your claim. To learn more, and to speak with a dedicated Maryland pharmacy error attorney about your injuries, call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
Workplace Pressure Is a Key Factor in the High Rate of Maryland Pharmacy Errors, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, August 1, 2017.
Pharmacy Errors Involving Expired Medication, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, July 11, 2017.