Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
Earlier this month, a British news source published an article discussing the 2016 death of a man who was provided the incorrect prescription just days before he died. According to the report, the man had been receiving medication for type II diabetes, heart problems, and glaucoma. He had filled the prescriptions in the past with no problem, but in May of last year he was provided another patient’s prescription. Apparently, the packet containing the pills contained another customer’s prescription with his name on seven different labels; however, the victim’s name was printed on the outermost packaging.
An investigation was conducted into the fatal pharmacy error, and it was discovered that the filling technician had opened the interior packet of pills, added additional requested pills, and then sealed the package back up. Apparently, the technician did not notice that the name on the seven labels inside the packaging and the name on the outside packaging did not match. And neither did her supervisor.
After the error occurred, but before it was discovered, the man began complaining of chest pain and having a difficult time breathing. Two days after the error, he passed away. The coroner’s report indicated that the prescription error at least “hastened” the man’s death. However, the prosecuting authority determined that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. Since the accident, the branch where the error occurred has stopped assembling medication packets on location.
Proving a Pharmacy Error
Many prescription errors are made each year. Not all of them result in serious injury, however. In order for a pharmacy error victim to recover financially after an error has been made, at least some injury must be documented. Injuries need not be immediately apparent, and may be something that will arise in the future. Of course, determining the long-term effects of a pharmacy error is not an easy task, and almost always requires a medical expert.
The selection of the proper medical expert can be crucial to the success of a pharmacy error claim because it is very likely that the pharmacist will have their own expert available to testify that the error did not result in any harm. Thus the qualifications, methodologies, and experience of medical experts are all very important.
Have You Been the Victim of a Pharmacy Error?
If you or a loved one has recently been the victim of a pharmacy error, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The skilled injury attorneys at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of combined experience handling pharmacy error claims and have developed a broad network of medical experts who can be consulted to discuss the long-term effects that certain unprescribed medication may have had on you. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation to discuss your case with a dedicated personal injury advocate today.
More Blog Posts:
Pharmacists May Admit Responsibility for Error but Still Deny Legal Liability in the Face of Pending Litigation, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, March 6, 2017.
Family of Pharmacy Error Victim Disappointed with Pharmacist’s Two-Month Suspension, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, February 1, 2017.