We rely on doctors and pharmacists to be our medical experts and to ensure that we receive not only the right medication, but also the proper dosage of it. If you are injured by a prescription drug error, you may be able to pursue compensation through filing a products liability lawsuit, a medical malpractice suit, or even a class action lawsuit to recover compensation for your losses.
If you suffered an injury, are dealing with a disability, or lost a loved one as the result of a prescription drug error, you should turn to a Cicero prescription drug error lawyer who is dedicated to protecting your rights. A qualified Cicero prescription drug errors lawyer could work to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially after a prescription drug error.
Causes of Prescription Drug Errors
Unfortunately, prescription drug errors can occur in a variety of healthcare settings, including general practices, hospitals, and pharmacies. Prescription errors are typically caused by lapses in a health care professional’s judgment, whether regarding which drug a patient should take, how they should administer a drug, the frequency with which they should take a drug, or the duration their prescription should last.
Patients being prescribed or given the wrong dosage of a medication is one of the most frequently cited causes of prescription drug errors. Additionally, a prescription drug error can occur when a doctor fails to take into account a patient’s individual characteristics and whether that patient is undergoing any other treatments.
New Changes in Pharmaceutical Laws
Recently, the Illinois legislature enacted a law that requires pharmacies to engage in more counseling to inform patients about some of the most common side effects of medications, as well as any potential drug interactions in an effort to avoid prescription drug errors. In addition, pharmacists must counsel patients on the basic aspects of their medical prescriptions, such as how long to take a certain medication and where it should be stored.
Recovering from a Prescription Drug Error
Being prescribed the wrong medication is more than just an inconvenience—it can result in serious, lifelong, and sometimes even life-threatening complications. When a person is injured by a prescription drug error, they may be entitled to file a lawsuit to recover financially for their injuries or damages.
Generally, the plaintiff in a prescription drug error case could pursue damages for economic and non-economic injuries. As defined by 735 ILCS 5/2-170(a), economic injuries include all pecuniary harm suffered as a result of an injury such as medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation. Non-economic injuries include things such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and physical impairment, according to 735 ILCS 5/2-1702(b).
Some states limit the amount of non-economic damages a plaintiff can recover. However, the Illinois Supreme Court struck down a portion of the statute that effectively limited non-economic damages in 2010 in the case of Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, 2010 WL 375190 (Ill. Feb. 4, 2010). This landmark decision allows for individuals and their families to recover from the incredible expenses associated with a prescription drug error.
Talk to a Cicero Prescription Drug Error Attorney Today
If you were injured or lost a loved one because of a prescription drug error, a Cicero prescription drug error lawyer could help you hold doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies liable for their negligent actions. Call today to set up a consultation and start exploring your legal options.