Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
COVID-19 has made an indelible impact on almost every aspect of a person’s life, and while there is hope on the horizon, the effects continue to reverberate. One significant impact is the ongoing staff and supply shortages at many pharmacies. Pharmaceutical shortages can be deadly to some consumers, but employee shortages can also result in Maryland pharmacy errors. A recent piece from NBC highlighted how these shortages impact the health of those throughout the country.
Pharmacy technicians primarily work in retail pharmacies and hospital pharmacies. Pharmacies are reporting that many of their technicians are leaving in droves because of the increasing demand. The majority of the workers behind a pharmacy counter are pharmacy technicians. These positions are often low-wage and do not require an advanced degree. Technicians are responsible for counting pills, filling prescriptions, and checking inventory. All of these duties are fundamentally important to ensuring consumer safety.
Although many understand that working in a pharmacy is inherently fast-paced, many technicians argue that the wage has not kept up with the workload. Most importantly, workers explained that the demands led to safety issues for consumers. Workers expressed that the stresses and influx of work made them far more likely to make mistakes or catch errors. These errors can have life-threatening and deadly consequences for those who rely on pharmacists and technicians for their medication.
The effects of the labor shortages reverberate to other aspects of overall health and safety. For instance, retailers are struggling to replace their workers, which has led to dayslong waits, reduced hours, prescription errors, and vaccination mix-ups. While these events can happen even during prime staffing, staff shortages have increased these conditions.
These stresses are not confined to pharmacy technicians, and many pharmacists are expressing the impact on their ability to work. Pharmacists agree that the pressures upon them inevitably increase the chances of an error, and these errors could be a matter of life or death. Regulators indicate that they have received an influx of complaints regarding pill miscounts, mislabeled doses, and incorrect medications. In some cases, Maryland patients reported that they were given a Covid-19 vaccine instead of a flu shot, and there was a case of children who received adult doses of a vaccine. Those who suffer injuries because of a pharmacy error should contact an attorney to discuss their rights and remedies.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Pharmacy Error Lawsuits?
Every state has a different statute of limitations for pharmacy error lawsuits. For example, the statute of limitations in Maryland is three years. However, are rules that extend this deadline in certain cases. If you have questions about your ability to bring a case against a negligent pharmacist, reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer for assistance.
Have You Suffered Injuries Because of a Negligent Pharmacy?
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries because of the negligence of a medical provider or pharmacy, contact Lebowitz & Mzhen for assistance. The attorneys at our office understand the devastating effect that a prescription or medical device error can have on a person and their loved ones. As such, we work to ensure that our clients recover the compensation the law entitles them. The firm handles Maryland personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from medical malpractice, prescription errors, vehicle accidents, premises liability, and more. Contact our office at 800-654-1949 to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney on our team.