Causes of Medication Error

Medication error is a form of medical malpractice that causes serious injury and death to an alarming number of victims in the United States each year. The Law Office of Kenneth N. Margolin, P.C. is dedicated to helping the victims of medication errors in the State of Massachusetts. Our lawyers have experience handling all types of medication cases, including prescription errors, drug interaction mistakes, anesthesia errors, and all medication related cases. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to an error in medication or anesthesia, contact the Law Office of Kenneth N. Margolin, P.C. today to learn about your legal rights.

While there are many causes of medication errors, certain factors have been identified as particular problem areas:

• Poor labeling of drugs
• Dilution errors, especially for children
• Drugs that sound alike, leading to the dispensing of the wrong drug
• Illegible handwriting by doctors, causing the wrong drug to be given
• Injections of medications intended to be taken orally
• Addition of a zero to intended prescription strength (for ex., 12mL read as 120 mL)
• Wrong tube connected; oxygen or saline solution pumped into patient rather than the intended IV medication
• Failure or absence of communication between health care professionals in a hospital

The Story of Joey R.

One tragic example of medication error is the story of Joey R., of Newton, MS. As a premature baby, Joey was prescribed Enalaprilat to treat high blood pressure. The medication is used as is to treat adults with high blood pressure, and must be diluted for pediatric use. The dose prepared by the pharmacy technician was approved by the pharmacist, who failed to check the dosage before initialing the prescription. The approved medication, more than 100 times the proper amount, was administered by a nurse, who assumed the dosage to be correct.

This high dose of Enalaprilat seriously damaged Joey's brain, leaving him severely mentally retarded. He is also suffering from cerebral palsy and seizures. The parents of Joey R. sought the help and legal representation of Kenneth N. Margolin to fight Joey's case. Fighting this case from beginning to end, and perservering a relentless defense, Kenneth Margolin recovered $7.1 million in damages for the family.

Our firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of Massachusetts medical error victims who have suffered due to pharmaceutical and medical mistakes. If you or a loved has been a victim of prescription drug error resulting in injury or death, you may be able to file a claim against the doctor, hospital or pharmacy to recover damages for expenses and suffering. Contact a Massachusetts medication error lawyer at the Law Office of Kenneth N. Margolin, P.C. today for your free initial case review.

If you have been the victim of a Massachusetts medication error, you need the legal representation of a committed medication error attorney.