In 2006, the Institute of Medicine's follow up to its 1999 report found that medication errors are among the most common medical mistakes, harming at least 1.5 million people each year. According to the study, 400,000 preventable drug related injuries occur each year in hospitals, 800,000 in long-term care settings, and approximately 530,000 among Medicare recipients in outpatient clinics. The report also states these are conservative estimates, meaning the true number of injuries resulting from medication errors is likely much higher.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury from a medication error, it is important to consult with a medical malpractice attorney with a strong medical background. If a doctor or nurse prescribed you the wrong medication or an overdose of a medication, there is often evidence of this medication error based on the corrective medication that is administered to counter the dangerous effects of the original medication mistakenly given. An experienced medical malpractice attorney who is also a licensed medical doctor will understand how to trace the medication error and place the blame for the negligence where it belongs, with the doctor, nurse, or medical professional responsible for administering or prescribing the drug.
An example of a corrective medication being administered to counter the effects of an incorrectly administered drug would be Protamine which is used to counter the effects of an overdose of Heparin. Another example would be administering Narcan to counter the effects from an overdose of narcotic pain medications. A medical malpractice attorney who is also a doctor, will be able to look over the medical reports and find out where the medical negligence occurred that caused a serious injury or even death to the patient.
Dr. Bruce Fagel, principal of the Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates has 30 years experience as a medical malpractice lawyer and over 10 years experience as an emergency room physician. Dr. Fagel has witnessed medication errors and his law firm understands how to prove when doctors or other medical professionals have incorrectly prescribed or administered drugs causing severe injuries or death to the patients. Examples of cases Dr. Fagel has successful obtained verdicts or settlements for his clients include patients who were incorrectly administered Heparin, a blood thinner, which caused dangerous bleeding in the brain. Other examples of cases included patients who died from an overdose of Demerol, a common narcotic pain medication, administered after surgery. Dr. Fagel has also handled cases where doctors and nurses had communication problems about which medication to give to the patients for pain, resulting in serious injuries or death.
If you or a family member have suffered a serious injury or died as a result of a medication error, you may have a case for medical negligence or medical malpractice. Contact the Law Offices of Bruce G. Fagel & Associates right away for a free consultation. Dr. Bruce Fagel is both a top medical malpractice and negligence attorney and a licensed physician.
