Legal Recourse for Patients Harmed by Sound-Alike Medication Mistakes

 Posted on September 20, 2021 in Medical Malpractice

Advances in medicine have helped people lead longer, healthier lives. Countless medications are available to treat ailments ranging from headaches to advanced cancer. Unfortunately, the vast number of medications available today means that there is an increase in the chances of medication mistakes. One of the top causes of medication errors in the U.S. is sound-alike medications, or medications with similar-sounding names. Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who are not paying close enough attention may mistake one medication for the other. Look-alike medications are also at risk of being mixed up. Medication mistakes such as these can lead to severe, sometimes fatal consequences.

How Do Medication Errors Occur?

Medical workers have stressful jobs and often work long hours. Many doctors’ offices, hospitals, and pharmacies are also understaffed. Medical workers who are rushing can mistake one medicine for another and dispense or administer the wrong medication to the patient. Medical negligence like this can lead to worsened medical conditions and even death. Just recently, a nurse in Tennessee lost her nursing license and is facing criminal charges after administering the wrong medication and killing a patient. The nurse administered vecuronium bromide instead of Versed after mixing up the generic names of the medications.

What Can I Do If I Was a Victim of a Medication Error?

If you were harmed or your loved one was killed because of a medication mistake, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the liable party. A medical malpractice suit may help you hold the at-fault practitioner or medical facility accountable for the mistake and recover compensation for your damages. Damages in a medication error lawsuit often include:

• The cost of additional medical treatment necessary because of the incorrect medication and the absence of the correct medication

• Lost wages caused by missed work time

• Physical pain caused by the mistake

• Emotional and mental suffering caused by the mistake

If your loved one died as a result of a medication mistake, you may also be entitled to compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses

• Loss of the deceased person’s financial support

• Loss of the deceased person’s care, love, and affection

Contact a Springfield Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medication mistakes caused by sound-alike or look-alike drugs can lead to serious and even fatal patient harm. If you or someone you care about was the victim of a medication error, contact Kanoski Bresney to discuss your legal options. You may be able to sue the at-fault party for monetary damages. Call our Champaign medical malpractice attorneys at 888-826-8682 for a free, confidential consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ismp.org/resources/progress-preventing-name-confusion-errors

https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/nurse-who-killed-patient-with-wrong-medicine-loses-nursing-license/BLZ7MYEL45GBJC2UFLM3DL746U/