Many American lives are made happier, healthier and more fulfilling because of prescription medications. Doctors, pharmacists, and other medical professionals are entrusted to safely prescribe you the correct medication at the correct dosage, based on your medical history. Drug companies are entrusted to produce medications that will help you, not harm you.
Yet, medication errors happen, and when they do, they can cause serious injury, or death.
The fault could lie with several different parties including your doctor, your hospital, the hospital staff, pharmacists, and drug manufacturers.
Medication Errors Related to Accolate
Accolate is a medication that, when taken daily, can help prevent the onset of asthma attacks in both adults and children. Negative side effects of Accolate such as mood changes, sleeplessness, dry mouth, liver problems or gastrointestinal issues. If you’ve experienced any of these, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss whether you are eligible to file a medical malpractice claim.
Medication Errors Related to Anesthesia
Local, regional or general anesthesia medications are used to numb a part of your body or sedate you for a medical procedure. Anesthetic drugs are strong, and anesthesia errors can be dangerous. If there is a mistake, you could be in danger of severe trauma ranging from physical to mental or emotional problems.
Injuries Related to Anesthesia
There are several categories of medical malpractice related to anesthesia injury; here are a few of them:
- A specific anesthesia drug is not recommended for a given situation, but the anesthesiologist administers it anyway
- Too little or too much anesthesia is administered
- Your anesthesiologist fails to adequately monitor your vital signs throughout your medical procedure
- Your medical history is not thoroughly reviewed
- Anesthesia is administered using defective equipment
- Intubation during anesthesia is performed improperly
- You are not given the information needed to prepare for or recover from the anesthesia you receive
- The hospital staff neglects to monitor you closely enough in the recovery room following surgery
Spinal Anesthesia Errors
One type of regional anesthetic known as spinal anesthesia is administered by injection into the space next to your spinal cord. This type of anesthesia is frequently used to treat geriatric patients. Because of the high risk of injury to the spinal cord, the precise placement of a spinal anesthesia injection is crucial.
If your anesthesiologist fails to explain any portion of the procedure or its risks, or if he or she administers the anesthesia incorrectly, you may be eligible for a medical malpractice claim.
Complications Related to Anesthesia Overdose
Anesthesia is toxic to the body, so anytime you receive this type of medication you are at risk for complications related to anesthesia overdose. Your age, body size, health, the type of anesthetic, the rate of injection, and the accurate dosage are all important factors for your medical staff to consider in order to avoid severe medical problems and anesthetic toxicity.
If you suffer adverse effects caused by anesthesia, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim.
Antidepressant Class Action Lawsuits
If you have suffered serious side effects or injuries caused by an antidepressant like Zoloft, Prozac, or Paxil, you may be able to file a claim for defective products liability or join a class action lawsuit against the drug manufacturer.
Lawsuits against drug manufacturers may include claims that:
- Side effects caused by antidepressants are unreasonably dangerous
- The doctor, drug manufacturer, or pharmacy did not adequately instruct or warn the patient regarding the use of a particular drug
Medication Errors Related to Arava
Arava is a medication that can reduce the pain and tenderness of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It also comes with potential side effects such as birth defects and liver failure. Arava strongly interacts with other medications; therefore, your doctor should discuss all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking prior to starting this medication.
If you believe you have experienced negative side effects related to your use of Arava, you have rights. Talk to a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney.
Baycol Medication Lawsuits
Baycol was a statin drug manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceutical Division before August of 2001. Statins are a class of medications prescribed to prevent cardiovascular disease and lower cholesterol levels. After it was linked to a potentially lethal disease of the muscles called rhabdomyolysis, Bayer voluntarily withdrew Baycol from the market.
Bayer has faced thousands of liability suits because of Baycol’s effects on the patients it was supposed to help.
High-Level Benzene Exposure
Benzene is an organic chemical found in coal, plastics, detergents, lubricants, synthetic fibers, gasoline, oil, motor vehicle emissions and cigarette smoke. It is a known carcinogen for those exposed to high levels at work or at home. Besides causing cancer, Benzene has also been linked to a higher risk for anemia, immune system damage, and infertility.
If you think you have health problems related to benzene exposure, you may have a medical malpractice case against:
- Manufacturers or distributors who did not warn of the dangers of benzene in their products
- Employers who exposed you to unsafe working conditions or failed to provide protective equipment
Severe Allergic Reactions to Medications
When your body can’t handle a medication you are taking, you may have an adverse reaction. A medication allergy can appear as a rash, an airway constriction, seizures or having a reaction to the medication opposite of what was intended by your doctor.
If you experience serious or potentially fatal reactions, especially if your doctor was aware of your allergy to the medication before it was prescribed, you may be able to pursue a medical malpractice claim.
Opioid Agonist Related Malpractice
An opioid agonist is a medication that activates specific receptors in your brain in to stimulate the opioid effect. This is useful to block sensations of pain, slow your breathing, and produce a calming and positive feeling. Examples of opioid agonist medications include morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and codeine.
Opioid medications, frequently prescribed for cough suppression or pain relief, can be habit-forming and in some cases highly addictive. Doctors who over-prescribe this type of medication may be contributing to your addiction and could be liable in cases of medical malpractice.
Prescription Drug Medication Errors
Prescription drugs are pharmaceutical medications which are required to be administered by a trained physician.
Medical malpractice related to prescription drugs is generally caused by one of the following parties:
- The pharmaceutical companies that manufacture the medication
- The doctors who prescribe the medication
- The pharmacists who distribute the medication
Pharmaceutical companies, doctors or pharmacists should be held responsible if they’ve failed you through prescription drug negligence or error.
Those Responsible for Medication Errors
Anyone involved with prescribing medications could potentially be liable for medication errors. Besides your doctor, this can include hospitals, hospital staff, pharmacists, and drug manufacturers.
If you have suffered harm and believe it was the result of prescription medication error, you have rights. Talk to a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney today.