Many individuals across Maryland rely on medication to keep them healthy, or even alive. This medication is crucial, and typically must be taken regularly and in the correct dosage or significant health concerns or even death could occur. Unfortunately, for those who rely on others to handle and administer their medication, they may suffer from medication errors unbeknownst to them. This is especially true for elderly patients, who are more likely to require certain drugs to combat health problems and also more likely to have a caretaker administering said medication.
Often, caretakers administering medications to the elderly do a good job and keep the patient healthy, safe, and on schedule. However, like all human processes, there is room for error, and accidents can and do occur. Unfortunately, mistakes in this process can be deadly. For example, an 87-year-old woman relying on caretakers to give her her daily medication, recently died from a gastrointestinal bleed and stroke. According to a report covering the incident, an investigation of the victim’s death found that her caretakers had given her the wrong medication, four times a day, for two and a half days. While the incorrect medication did not cause her stroke and bleeding, the lack of her correct medicine did, and the victim suffered a tragic death as a result of the mistake.
This case highlights the extreme consequences of medication errors, especially when patients are elderly and rely on caretakers to properly administer their medications. In addition to the problems caused by missing the correct medication, patients may also suffer significant side effects, injuries, or even death caused by the incorrect medication. When this occurs, the results are disastrous and potentially deadly, and nothing can undo the damage done by seemingly simple errors.
While nothing can undo the damage caused by these errors, Maryland law allows victims and their families to file a personal injury suit against the party that made the medication error, to try and compensate them for their injuries or loss. In the tragic case discussed above, the victim’s surviving family or estate may be able to sue the victim’s caretakers for negligently administering her medication, particularly since the error continued multiple times a day over two and a half days. If successful, plaintiffs may be able to recover financially for funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. This does not bring back their loved one, but can ensure that the family is supported financially while they mourn and recover, and act as a deterrent against caretakers making similar mistakes in the future.
Have You Lost a Loved One in a Maryland Medication Error?
If you have recently lost someone you love due to a Maryland medication error, the personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen would like to offer our deepest condolences. Having worked with clients in similar situations across the state, we understand the pain you are going through. Should you choose to pursue a personal injury suit against a negligent party responsible for the error, attorneys from Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers can help you at every step of the way, from considering your options all the way through trial. To learn more, call today at 800-654-1949.