Pharmaceutical Negligence in Waldorf, MD

Thousands of Americans, suffering from both physical and psychological ailments, rely on the experience of hospitals, pharmacies, and doctors when it comes to alleviating health problems with prescription drugs. Unfortunately, in the last decade, instances of healthcare professionals betraying this trust by negligently prescribing or filling prescriptions have been on the rise. This negligence can take an enormous physical, emotional, and financial toll on patients and their families.

Types of Pharmaceutical Negligence

The most common types of prescription drug-related mistakes committed by physicians include:

• Failing to advise patients about risks and possible drug interactions;

• Failing to discover whether a patient has a pre-existing allergy or condition that could result in complications;

• Prescribing the wrong dosage or medication;

• Failing to give the patient correct instructions regarding a medication; and

• Ignoring manufacturer instructions concerning side effects and risks.

Pharmacists can also be held responsible if their mistake caused an injury. Examples of common pharmacist mistakes include:

• Filling the wrong medication;

• Mislabelling prescription bottles;

• Giving a patient medication intended for another person;

• Failing to update records reflecting a patient’s changed condition; and

• Recording patient information incorrectly.

Whether due to inferior training or a lack of supervision, these relatively simple mistakes can have grave consequences for patients.

Injuries Caused by Pharmaceutical Negligence

The injuries that can result from pharmaceutical negligence can be severe and even life-threatening. Some of the most common injuries that victims sustain as a result of physical and pharmacist negligence include:

• Overdoses;

• Organ failure;

• Allergic reactions;

• Birth defects or miscarriages;

• Extreme illness; and

• Death.

While many of these injuries become evident immediately, others can take months or even years to reveal themselves. Unexplained vomiting, headaches, hallucinations, or drowsiness may indicate that a medication is having adverse effects on a patient’s health. In those cases, it is imperative that the patient seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Negligent Parties

There are a number of parties who can be held responsible in a case stemming from pharmaceutical negligence. For instance, the injured patient may be able to file suit against one of or more of the following parties:

• A doctor, if he or she issued a prescription without discovering whether the patient had pre-existing allergies or was already taking a drug that could result in complications;

• A pharmacist, if he or she incorrectly filled a prescription with the wrong dosage or drug; and

• The drug’s manufacturer, if it performed inadequate testing on the medication, or if the company failed to warn doctors of the medication’s possible dangerous side effects.

Time Limits

Maryland’s statute of limitations for filing a claim of physician or pharmacist negligence is either:

· Five years from the date of the injury, or

· Three years from the date, the injury was discovered.

Charles County, MD Personal Injury Lawyers that Fight for You

A medical professional’s negligence can be physically and financially devastating for victims. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a medical professional’s negligence, contact an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney who may be able to help you recover compensation, which could include the costs of medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Please contact the Law Office of Robert R. Castro at (301)870-1200 to schedule a free initial consultation