Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
The idea of being given the wrong medication by a pharmacist may seem like a remote possibility for most patients; however, studies show that hundreds of pharmacy errors occur every day. While most of these errors are either caught in time or do not result in serious harm to the patient, Maryland pharmacy errors present a serious risk of illness or death.
When a patient dies from a medication error, the patient’s family can pursue a Maryland wrongful death claim against all responsible parties. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the error, responsible parties may include the pharmacist, a hospital nurse or doctor, and even the pharmacy or hospital where the error occurred.
Maryland wrongful death lawsuits must be brought by a primary beneficiary, if one exists. A primary beneficiary is defined as a husband, wife, parent, or child of the deceased. If no primary beneficiary exists, then a secondary beneficiary can bring a claim. Secondary beneficiaries are those who are “related to the deceased person by blood or marriage who was substantially dependent upon the deceased.”
As is the case in other Maryland personal injury cases, to succeed in a Maryland wrongful death lawsuit based on a pharmacy error the plaintiff must be able to show that the defendant’s negligence was the cause of their loved one’s death. In pharmacy error cases, this often requires the testimony of an expert witness to assist the jury in understanding scientific and medical issues related to how the ingestion of the medication resulted in their loved one’s death.
Shingles Patient Dies after Pharmacists Gives Her the Wrong Medication
Earlier this year, a woman died after a local pharmacist gave her the wrong medication. According to a local news source, the woman was a shingles patient who was prescribed Amitriptyline. The woman’s doctor informed the patient that she could increase her dose to help manage her pain. However, when the woman went to her pharmacy to pick up her new prescription, she was given the medication Amlodipine, which is used for the treatment of high blood pressure.
Evidently, the error occurred when a pharmacist stuck a label stating “Amitriptyline” on a box of Amlodipine. The pharmacists explained that the pharmacy was very busy and that they had filled over 300 prescriptions earlier that day.
Have You Been the Victim of a Pharmacy Error?
If you or someone you love has recently been the victim of a Maryland pharmacy error, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the injuries you have sustained. At the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, we represent accident victims and their families in all types of medical malpractice cases, including Maryland pharmacy errors. Our clients have a unique advantage because, aside from the zealous advocacy provided by our attorneys, we work with an extensive network of expert witnesses to help prove our client’s cases. To learn more about how we can help you and your loved one pursue a claim for compensation based on the injuries you have sustained, call 410-654-3600 today.