Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
If a pharmacy gives you the wrong medication or the wrong dosage, you may have grounds to file a claim for damages. Pharmacy errors remain one of the most preventable causes of serious injury in Maryland. A mistake as simple as a swapped label or a misread prescription can result in hospitalization, long-term complications, or worse. When you rely on a pharmacy to dispense safe medication, you deserve accountability if that trust is broken.
National studies show that thousands of dispensing errors occur in the United States every year. These errors include giving out the wrong drug, the wrong strength, or incorrect instructions. In many cases, the medications involved look or sound alike. That means a patient who expected a blood pressure pill could end up with a diabetes drug, or a child’s antibiotic could be confused with an adult-only medication. Even one incorrect dose may trigger a dangerous reaction.
Why Pharmacy Errors Continue to Happen
Pharmacies handle a high volume of prescriptions daily. Pharmacists and technicians often work under intense pressure to fill orders quickly. While speed matters for customer service, it cannot come at the expense of safety. Distractions, understaffing, and failure to use proper verification procedures are common reasons errors slip through.
Maryland law holds pharmacists and pharmacies to a professional duty of care. When they breach that duty by dispensing the wrong drug, skipping mandatory counseling, or ignoring known allergies, patients may pursue compensation. That responsibility exists regardless of whether the error was made by a pharmacist, a technician, or the company’s policies that created unsafe conditions.
Consequences of Receiving the Wrong Prescription
The impact of a pharmacy error can be severe. Patients may experience side effects from a drug they never should have taken. In other cases, they miss out on the benefits of the medication they were supposed to receive. That double harm—taking the wrong drug and not taking the right one—often worsens medical conditions.
Consequences may include hospitalization, the need for emergency interventions, or long-term organ damage. For elderly patients or children, the risks are even greater. A misfilled prescription can lead to permanent injury or death. These cases demonstrate why pharmacies must be held accountable when mistakes occur.
If you suspect you received the wrong medication, act immediately. Keep the pill bottle, label, and any pills left inside. Do not discard packaging, since it may contain valuable evidence. Seek medical treatment to document any adverse reactions and prevent further harm. Then contact an attorney to review your potential claim. Preserving all records ensures that your case can be supported with strong evidence. How Can You Protect Yourself After a Medication Error?
Compensation Available in Pharmacy Error Cases
Victims of dispensing errors may seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs. Families who lose a loved one because of a pharmacy mistake may also bring a wrongful death claim. Courts evaluate how the error occurred and whether the pharmacy’s conduct violated accepted safety standards.
Every case depends on its own facts, but proving liability often involves showing that the pharmacy had clear procedures it failed to follow. Expert testimony from pharmacists or medical professionals may explain how the mistake could have been prevented.
Speak to a Maryland Pharmacy Error Attorney Today
If you or someone in your family was harmed by a prescription error, you should not face the consequences alone. The law allows you to seek accountability from the pharmacy that caused your injury. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, we help patients and families hold pharmacies responsible for dangerous mistakes.
Call (800) 654-1949 today to schedule your free consultation. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the recovery you deserve.