Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
A new study reports that flu vaccinations are occurring more frequently in alternative settings such as pharmacies, clinics, and work, as one news source reported. According to the study, patients between the ages of 18 and 64 had higher rates of early vaccination at clinics, pharmacies, and workplaces, helping to increase the number of flu vaccinations received before November 1st. Also, high-risk patients over 65 years of age reported even higher rates of early flu vaccinations at pharmacies and work. The study’s author found that there is an association between the setting where a vaccination is received and the timing, and that non-traditional vaccination settings help to increase the rates of flu vaccinations before November 1st, a deadline set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the CDC, the 2017-2018 flu season was particularly severe, It was reported that an estimated 80,000 Americans died from the flu and its complications. These numbers included 183 pediatric deaths. It was the highest rate of death from the flu in the past four decades. The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccination as early as possible because it takes about two weeks after receiving the vaccination for the antibodies that protect against the flu to develop in the body.
Liability of Flu Shot Providers in Maryland Pharmacies and Other Alternative Settings
As more individuals in Maryland and throughout the country receive flu shots in alternative settings, providers can still be held liable for errors in dispensing the vaccine. Although many vaccinations are administered without issue, mistakes can occur, even in a routine procedure like the administration of a flu shot. For example, the incorrect dosage may be administered, a needle may be mistakenly used more than one time, side effects may not be disclosed, or the wrong vaccination may be administered. In the event of an error, some individuals may be able to bring a medical malpractice claim to recover compensation for the injuries they sustained.
Alleging Medical Malpractice
Victims of medical errors alleging medical malpractice have to show that a defendant acted negligently or failed to act in some way. A plaintiff must prove that a defendant failed to meet the relevant standard of care—the standard that medical professionals must meet in engaging in the relevant procedure or practice. Attorneys that have experience with medical error cases can examine the relevant medical information in a case to evaluate whether a medical provider may be liable, even in an alternative setting, such as a clinic or work. Even where providers administer vaccinations free of charge, providers still have to meet the standard of care in providing health care to patients.
Consult with a Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a medical error, you may be able to bring a claim against the health care provider responsible for the mistake. The Maryland medical malpractice attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC have nearly two decades of experience representing victims in medical malpractice and pharmacy error cases throughout the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area. We work closely with medical experts to evaluate your claim, and we will not recover any fees unless we obtain a settlement or a judgment in your favor. Contact us at 1-800-654-1949 or 410-654-3600 or through our online form to receive a free, no obligation consultation about your case.
More Blog Posts:
Three Common Causes of Prescription Errors in Maryland and Nationwide, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, September 24, 2018.
Experts Warn Against Physicians Texting Prescriptions to Pharmacies, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, October 1, 2018.