Earlier this month, a local news article covered the story of a woman who suffers from what appear to be permanent symptoms related to an overdose of prescription epilepsy medication. According to the report, the woman was diagnosed with epilepsy years ago and wrestled with various treatments. Eventually, she was prescribed 10 mg of Briviak, an epilepsy medication, twice a day.
The pharmacist to whom the woman took the prescription, however, filled the prescription with 100 mg pills. The woman took the medication as prescribed for three months, refilling the prescription several rimes in that period. Once she discovered the error, the woman’s doctors had to slowly wean her off the medication. Despite that, she still suffers from withdrawal symptoms. In addition, she suffers from permanent pain and twitching. She told reporters that, although she is just 24 years old, she feels as though she is a “75, 80-year old woman.”
The pharmacy responsible for the error acknowledged the mistake, claiming that it was in fact due to human error. The pharmacy has since revised their processes and coached all pharmacists and technicians. The woman told reporters that she understands humans can make mistakes, but she hopes to bring awareness to the issue of pharmacy errors. She has not yet decided if she will pursue a lawsuit against the pharmacy.
Maryland Pharmacy Errors
In Maryland, pharmacists are held to a high standard when it comes to the level of professionalism and accuracy. Indeed, there is rarely, if ever, a valid excuse for a pharmacy error, especially given the industry’s standard of double-checking all medications before they are provided to a patient.
When a pharmacy error does occur, a patient may be able to obtain monetary compensation for their injuries through a Maryland pharmacy error lawsuit. These lawsuits, based on the theory of negligence, require a patient to establish not just that the pharmacist made an error, but also that the error caused the patient’s injuries. Often, meeting the requisite level of proof requires an expert witness to explain to the judge or jurors how the medication interacts with the human body and the type of adverse effects it can have. Anyone considering a pharmacy error lawsuit should consult with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss their claim.
Are You in Need of a Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you or a loved one has recently been a victim of a Maryland pharmacy error, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated Maryland injury lawyers at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers are experienced in bringing all types of injury claims, including those arising from medication mix-ups. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with an attorney to discuss your case, call 410-654-3600 today. Calling is free, and we will not send you a bill for our services unless we are able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
More Blog Posts:
Medication Errors, Although Under Reported, Are Still a Leading Cause of Death in the U.S., Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, March 1, 2018.
Pre-Trial Settlements in Pharmacy Error Cases, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, February 15, 2018.