Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
Earlier this month in Oregon, a jury awarded a man’s personal representative $12.2 million for the man’s injuries, which included severe brain damage after he was administered a dose that was 15 times stronger than prescribed. According to one local news report, the alleged medical malpractice took place back in 2011, when the man was provided medication to help his heartbeat stabilize.
Evidently, the anesthesiologist in charge of the man’s care provided him with a dose of 2,700 milligrams of amiodarone instead of the 150-milligram dose that was prescribed by the surgeon. As a result, the man suffered severe brain damage. The court appointed a conservator, who filed a medical malpractice case against the hospital, the anesthesiologist, and the agency that contracted the anesthesiologist to the hospital.
At trial, it came out that the anesthesiologist misread some figures on a hospital computer screen and grabbed three 900-milliliter bottles, thinking they were just 50-milliliter bottles.
After a three-week trial, the jury returned a verdict in the plaintiff’s favor for an amount of $12.2 million. The damages were broken down as follows: roughly $6.5 million in medical expenses and decreased earning capacity, and then an additional $5.75 million in non-economic damages to compensate the man for his pain and suffering and interference with normal daily activities. The jury determined that the hospital was 60% responsible for the injuries, the contracting agency was 15% at fault, and the anesthesiologist himself was 25% responsible.
Pharmacy Errors in Hospitals
While many of the hundreds of thousands of prescriptions filled each year are filled in retail pharmacies, there are still several tens of thousands of prescriptions filled in hospitals across the country. Hospitals, like retail pharmacies, are under constant pressure to perform in busy and demanding conditions. On occasion, a hospital doctor or pharmacist makes an error such as the one discussed above.
When these kinds of errors occur, the sad reality is that the patient is the one who pays the price. Often, a pharmacy error can result in serious, life-changing illnesses or conditions. Thankfully, Maryland tort law allows for those injured by pharmacy negligence to seek financial compensation for their injuries. Of course, pharmacists are rarely willing to admit liability initially, and an accident victim may be required to take the case all the way to trial to ensure that fair compensation is received.
Have You Been Injured by a Maryland Pharmacist’s Error?
If you or a loved one has recently been the victim of a pharmacist’s or doctor’s negligence, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for all that you have been through. It is not uncommon for a successful plaintiff to recover amounts for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and any pain and suffering caused by the error. To learn more, and to speak with a dedicated attorney about your case, call 410-654-3600 to set up your free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
New Study Looks at Error Rates in Hospital Pharmacies, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, September 22, 2015.
Pharmacist Mistakenly Provides Chemotherapy Drug to Elderly Patient and Then Tries To Cover Up His Mistake, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, October 7, 2015.