Getting the wrong medication can have disastrous consequences for your health. It’s important to know what to do if a doctor prescribes the wrong medication. Your first step is to consult another doctor and ensure side effects and complications are addressed. You should do this as soon as you find out that you were prescribed the incorrect medication.
The next step is contacting a lawyer. Get in touch with Lloyd Miller Law at (773) 838-8100 to learn which legal options you have at your disposal. You may recover a wrong medication lawsuit settlement due to the doctor’s malpractice. To win a medical malpractice lawsuit, though, you will need to provide evidence that the doctor was negligent, and that’s where a lawyer comes into the picture.
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Dangers of Being Prescribed the Wrong Medication
Prescription errors are a common type of medical malpractice. One of the biggest risks of being given the wrong medication is that the illness or disease you are taking the medication for won’t be addressed. Whether the doctor misdiagnosed you with a different illness or simply gave you a medication that is not suitable for your issue, your illness can get worse, and your overall health can deteriorate.
Many illnesses do not resolve on their own and can only be addressed through adequate treatment and medication. Taking the wrong medication can prevent you from getting the help you need.
You may continue to suffer from poor health and even physical pain due to the illness not getting better or deteriorating. You may also suffer from emotional distress because of your persistent illness.
Your overall health may deteriorate as well. If the illness is interfering with your immune system, you may be more susceptible to other diseases and illnesses. A healthy and robust immune system is vital for fighting off common illnesses. The more your immune system weakens, the more likely you are to get sick from other things.
In addition, the stress of dealing with your illness might prevent you from getting enough sleep. Poor sleep patterns can also contribute to a deterioration of your overall health. The illness may prevent you from eating healthy and exercising, which are two more important factors for maintaining good health overall.
However, the risks and dangers of being prescribed the wrong medication go beyond that. Not only will you not get better, but the medications may have side effects that cause you pain and additional suffering. Depending on the medication, you may suffer adverse reactions, allergic reactions, headaches, lack of sleep, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and even organ damage. These side effects can lower your quality of life and induce emotional pain and suffering.
In severe cases, being given the wrong medication could be a medical error that leads to death. That can happen if the illness that was supposed to be treated is life-threatening and the medication that was prescribed was inadequate for treating the illness.
Signs of Being Prescribed the Wrong Medication
If you’re not a medical professional, it’s not always easy to figure out whether you were given the wrong medication. However, many times, there will be symptoms indicating that something is wrong.
The most obvious symptom of incorrect medical treatment is not getting better. If the illness is not going away or even getting worse, and you have been taking your medication as the doctor prescribed, you might have been prescribed the wrong medication. If you are only getting better a bit, but are not fully healing, you might have been given a dosage that is too low. Another symptom of incorrect medication is experiencing side effects that aren’t typically associated with the correct medication, or experiencing an allergic reaction.
A doctor should weigh the pros and cons of each medication that may be used to treat an illness if there are several options available. If there are options that don’t have severe side effects, yet the doctor gave you one that is known to cause side effects in a large portion of the population, you may have a case for medical malpractice. That’s especially true if those side effects are more likely to be severe in your scenario.
Steps to Take If You Were Prescribed the Wrong Medication
Understanding what to do if you are prescribed the wrong medication is crucial for safeguarding your health and well-being. If you receive an incorrect prescription, taking the following steps can ensure you receive the appropriate treatment and mitigate harm.
Verify the Prescription
If you suspect that you have been prescribed the wrong medication, take the following steps to verify the prescription:
- Read the Label: Carefully review the label on the medication bottle or packaging to confirm the name of the drug, dosage instructions, and any specific warnings or precautions.
- Check the Prescription: Compare the information on the label with the details provided on the prescription written by your healthcare provider. Ensure that the medication name, dosage, and instructions match what your doctor intended to prescribe.
- Consult the Pharmacist: Speak with the pharmacist who filled the prescription to double-check the medication. Pharmacists are trained to verify prescriptions and can help identify any discrepancies or errors.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If you discover that you have been prescribed the wrong medication, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention, especially if you have already taken the medication. Call your doctor or healthcare provider to inform them of the situation. Describe the medication you received and any adverse effects you may be experiencing.
If you are experiencing severe symptoms or adverse reactions to the medication, go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care center for immediate medical assistance. Take the incorrect medication with you when seeking medical attention. This will help healthcare providers assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action.
Document the Incident
Documenting the incident is essential for maintaining a record of what occurred and ensuring accountability. Write down detailed notes about the prescription error, including the name of the medication, dosage, the date and time of receipt, and the adverse effects experienced. Retain the medication packaging, prescription label, and any documentation provided by the pharmacy. These items serve as evidence of the prescription error. Collect information about the healthcare provider who prescribed the medication, the pharmacy where it was filled, and any other relevant details.
Report the Error
Reporting the prescription error is essential for preventing similar incidents in the future and holding those accountable responsible. Inform the pharmacy where you received the incorrect medication about the error. They may have protocols in place for reporting and addressing prescription errors.
Report the prescription error to the appropriate regulatory agencies, such as the state board of pharmacy or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These agencies oversee medication safety and can investigate the incident. Consider filing a formal complaint with the healthcare provider’s practice, hospital, or clinic. This can prompt an internal investigation and quality improvement measures to prevent future errors.
Follow Up With Your Healthcare Provider
After addressing the immediate concerns related to the prescription error, follow up with your healthcare provider to discuss the incident and its implications. Arrange a follow-up appointment with your doctor or healthcare provider to discuss the prescription error and any resulting health issues. Request a copy of your medical records from the healthcare provider involved in the incident. Review these records to ensure that the error is documented accurately. Work with your healthcare provider to develop a plan for alternative treatment options if necessary. He or she can prescribe the correct medication or recommend alternative therapies based on your medical needs.
Consider Legal Options
If you have suffered harm as a result of the prescription error, consider exploring legal options to seek compensation for damages.
- Consult a Medical Malpractice Attorney: Schedule a consultation with a qualified medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case. He or she can evaluate the circumstances of the prescription error and advise you on the legal options available.
- Gather Evidence: Provide your attorney with documentation related to the prescription error, including medical records, pharmacy receipts, and notes detailing the incident. You don’t need a doctor’s confession to bring a medical malpractice lawsuit against him or her. There are other ways to prove negligence. In fact, in most cases, the doctor doesn’t make it easy by confessing his or her guilt. Nevertheless, medical malpractice lawsuits are filed and won all the time, even without confessions.
- File a Lawsuit: If you and your attorney determine you have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit, you may choose to pursue legal action against the healthcare provider, pharmacy, or other parties responsible for the error.
Being prescribed the wrong medication can have serious consequences for your health and well-being. By following these steps, you can take proactive measures to address the situation, seek appropriate medical attention, document the incident, report the error, follow up with your healthcare provider, and explore legal options if necessary. Remember to prioritize your health and safety above all else, and advocate for yourself to ensure that you receive the correct medication and appropriate care.
Seeking Legal Advice From an Illinois Medication Error Lawyer
One of the first things to do if a doctor prescribed the wrong medication, after seeking medical care, is to consult a medical malpractice lawyer in Chicago. Seeking legal advice from an Illinois medication error lawyer is essential if you’ve been prescribed the wrong medication and suffered harm as a result. Medication errors can have serious consequences, including adverse reactions, worsening health conditions, and even death. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, navigate the legal process, and pursue compensation for your damages.
Here’s why you should consult with a medication error lawyer in Illinois:
Understanding Your Legal Rights
A medication error lawyer in Illinois can help you understand your legal rights in the context of medical malpractice. He or she will evaluate your case to determine if the healthcare provider, pharmacist, or other parties involved in the medication error breached the standard of care owed to you as a patient. Understanding your rights empowers you to take appropriate legal action to seek compensation for your damages.
Identifying Liability
Determining liability in a medication error case can be complex, as multiple parties may be responsible for the error. A skilled attorney will investigate the circumstances of the medication error to identify all potentially liable parties. This may include the prescribing physician, pharmacist, pharmacy staff, healthcare facility, or pharmaceutical company. By pinpointing liability, your attorney can hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Navigating Legal Procedures
Navigating the legal procedures involved in a medication error case requires legal knowledge and experience. An Illinois medication error lawyer will guide you through the process, including filing a lawsuit, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing you in court if necessary. He or she will ensure that your case complies with Illinois’s statutes of limitations and other procedural requirements.
Evaluating Damages
Medication errors can result in various damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. An attorney will carefully evaluate your damages to determine the full extent of your losses. He or she will work to ensure that you receive fair and just compensation for all economic and non-economic damages resulting from the medication error.
Negotiating Settlements
Many medication error cases are resolved through settlement negotiations rather than going to trial. An experienced attorney will skillfully negotiate with the defendants and their insurance companies to reach a favorable settlement on your behalf. He or she will advocate for your best interests and work to maximize the compensation you receive for your damages.
Litigating in Court
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will be prepared to litigate your case in court. They will present compelling evidence, call expert witnesses to testify on your behalf, and argue your case before a judge and jury. Your attorney’s courtroom experience and advocacy skills are critical to achieving a successful outcome in trial.
Providing Peace of Mind
Dealing with the aftermath of a medication error can be overwhelming and stressful. By seeking legal advice from an Illinois medication error lawyer, you can gain peace of mind knowing that a skilled professional is handling your case. Your attorney will handle all legal aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery and well-being.
Contact us today to get started with your lawsuit. At Lloyd Miller Law, we deal with medical malpractice cases regularly. During your initial consultation, you will get a chance to learn more about possible fees. Don’t worry, as you don’t have to pay anything upfront. The initial consultation is free, and you will only pay a contingency fee if your case is won.
