Pharmacy Malpractice and Medication Errors
Millions of Canadians trust their pharmacies to give them the correct medications in the proper dosages. Unfortunately, medication errors can occur due to careless pharmacists and negligent practices, putting patients at risk of potentially fatal harm.
In British Columbia, a pharmacist’s professional oath states that they must make every effort to protect their patients from harm. In legal terms, this means pharmacists owe their patients a “duty of care.” A pharmacist may be held liable for any damage they cause when a medication error occurs due to negligent conduct.
The Vancouver pharmacy malpractice lawyers at Warnett Hallen LLP want to help you recover compensation if you suffered health complications due to a medication error. We have a long track record of helping clients navigate the province’s complex medical malpractice process.
To learn more about how we can help you pursue the money you deserve after a prescription drug error, contact us today for a free consultation with our Vancouver medical malpractice lawyers.
Common Prescription Errors
Medications should make you feel better, not worse. However, there are many reasons why you may respond negatively to a drug. Any medication can have unexpected side effects. Adverse interactions with your body chemistry, other medications, and things you regularly consume — like alcohol, food, and drinks — may occur naturally and be no one’s fault. The problem is when a dangerous reaction could have been prevented if the pharmacist had been more careful.
Pharmacists are skilled medical professionals with specialized training in drugs and their interactions with other compounds. These practitioners do not simply count and administer pills. They must understand the chemical makeup of drugs and how drugs interact with the body and other medications to avoid potentially harmful drug interactions, allergic reactions, and drug effectiveness. They are also trained to dispense medication per doctor’s orders and carefully review correct medication use with patients.
Prescription errors are not only inconvenient. They can also be deadly. Some of the most common medication errors include:
- Wrong medication
- Wrong prescription
- Receiving medication meant for another person
- Incorrect dosages
- Incorrect labeling
- Incorrect medication instructions
- Failure to address drug interactions when a patient is on existing medications
- Failure to disclose how to take the medication correctly
- Failure to discuss possible side effects
- Failure to address potential risks between a drug and a patient’s known allergies
Pharmacy malpractice is more than making a mistake. It is about a practitioner’s failure to provide patients with an appropriate standard of care. That means a pharmacist with similar training would not be expected to make the same error under the same circumstances.
People injured from a pharmacy error may be eligible to file medical malpractice lawsuits against the negligent medical professional. You need a lawyer familiar with handling cases involving pharmacy errors to give you the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
Consequences of Medication Errors
The consequences of medication errors can be life-threatening or even fatal. Taking the wrong medication or the wrong dosage can cause significant health complications, including:
- Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
- Overdose
- Seizures
- Organ failure
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Balance problems
- Rapid heartbeat
- Neurological issues
- Cognitive problems
- Brain damage
- Blood clots
- Excessive bleeding
- Birth injuries
- Worsening of a current medical condition
- The development of a new health condition
Proving that a prescription error results from medical negligence can be challenging without an experienced medication error lawyer advocating for you. At Warnett Hallen LLP, we know what it takes to build a solid medical malpractice case that gives you the best opportunity to recover the money you need.
Types of Compensation in Pharmacy Malpractice Cases
The value of pharmacy malpractice claims depends on numerous factors, including the severity of your injury and its long-term consequences. A knowledgeable lawyer can evaluate your unique situation and calculate the value of your injuries and financial losses. Although all medical malpractice cases vary, most individuals can seek compensation for losses like:
- Cost of out-of-pocket medical care not covered by insurance, including future care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Punitive damages (in rare cases)
Discuss your situation with a pharmacy malpractice lawyer to better understand the value of your claim.
Proving Pharmacist Negligence
Proving that a pharmacist acted negligently is challenging but not impossible. It requires solid evidence demonstrating how their careless actions resulted in the patient’s significant injury or medical complication.
Collecting and preserving evidence in a medication error case may be difficult for an individual suffering from the debilitating side effects of taking the wrong medication or dosage. A Vancouver pharmacy malpractice lawyer can help, giving you time to heal and recover from your ordeal while they pursue the compensation you deserve. Examples of evidence that can prove medical negligence include:
- Medical records
- Doctors’ prescriptions and notes
- Pharmacy surveillance video
- Physical evidence, such as medication bottles and their labels
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony about how the adverse effects impact your life
There may be additional information and evidence needed to help build your case. A lawyer can evaluate your situation and outline the best path forward given the circumstances of your pharmacy error claim.
What Can a Vancouver Medical Malpractice Lawyer Do for Me?
A Vancouver medical malpractice lawyer can advocate for you, protect your legal rights, and fight to recover the money you deserve. At Warnett Hallen LLP, we have an extensive track record of helping patients seek compensation in medical malpractice claims. Our legal team will investigate your situation and gather and preserve evidence vital to your claim. You can count on our law firm to tenaciously negotiate for a settlement that makes a difference in your life.
Our lawyers will handle your case from start to finish, working to recover compensation and manage the legal process without disrupting your life. You can rest assured that your claim is in good hands while you recuperate. Our law firm also prides itself on providing responsive legal representation so you are never in the dark about the status of your claim. Working with a pharmacy malpractice lawyer can give you unparalleled peace of mind and improve your chances of recovering fair compensation.
Contact an Experienced Pharmacy Malpractice Lawyer Today
Did you suffer injuries due to a medication error? You deserved better from your pharmacist and could have a valid medical malpractice case against them. At Warnett Hallen LLP, we want to explain your legal rights and help you hold negligent practitioners accountable for their actions. Contact our Vancouver law office today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
