Medication errors are the most frequent and avoidable cause of patient harm in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and the United States. They can happen at any point during the healthcare process, from the medical provider prescribing the medication to the pharmacist preparing the medication to the nurse administering the medication. 
Medication errors can cause allergic reactions, overdoses, severe nausea, internal bleeding, coma, and death. The effects can be long-lasting and financially crippling for the injured patient. If you or your loved one were the victim of a pharmacy error in Scranton and suffered an injury, you have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the negligent parties.
Our Scranton medical malpractice attorneys will listen to your story, give you a reasonable assessment of your claim, and walk you through the steps of the claims process. We understand what a scary and stressful time this can be – you don’t have to go through it alone. Call our personal injury attorneys today to get the process started. We offer free consultations to new clients.
What Are Common Pharmacy Errors in Scranton?
The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention describes a pharmacy error as “any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer.” The most common pharmacy errors and medication mistakes include:
Wrong dosage
Preparing and dispensing the wrong dosage of medication can result in an overdose or a failure to treat the patient’s illness. The pharmacist may have prepared the wrong-sized pill or failed to provide the correct instructions for taking the medications. Either way, the effects on the patient can be extremely dangerous.
Wrong medication
Dispensing the wrong medication can happen for several reasons. Sometimes, the pharmacist may misinterpret the prescription or misread labels and dispense the wrong prescription. In other cases, you may receive another patient’s medication by accident, which happens when patients have similar names or birthdays. Taking the wrong drug can lead to serious injury and dangerous side effects.
Failure to note allergies
If the medical provider and pharmacist fail to note the patient’s allergies to medication, the patient is in danger of suffering an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions may include hives, asthma attacks, itching, swelling, diarrhea, and anaphylaxis.
Dangerous drug interactions
A Scranton, PA pharmacist is required to inform the patient about any potential drug interactions. If an interaction is identified, the pharmacist must inform the patient about the risks and discuss any necessary adjustments to the patient’s medication regimen.
Consequences of Pharmacy Errors in Scranton
The consequences of pharmaceutical errors can be as mild as a light headache and nausea to death. Common side effects of pharmacy errors are:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Ineffective treatment
- Worsening of illness or existing health problem
- Developing new health problems (i.e., allergic reactions or adverse drug interactions)
- Hospitalization
- Permanent disability
- Coma
- Death
How Can a Scranton Pharmacy Errors Attorney Help You?
Medical malpractice claims can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with a severe injury or illness. Remember, large hospitals have powerful insurance companies behind them. Their insurance adjusters are
intimidating and are known to manipulate data and facts to lowball your settlement offer.
When you have an experienced medical malpractice attorney by your side, the chances of you recovering the highest compensation improve. The Munley pharmacy error lawyers can help you through your case in several ways. Here’s how we guide our clients through medication error lawsuits:
- First, we will investigate your claim. While the pharmacist may be the obvious liable party, other medical personnel may have been involved in your injury. We will determine all the liable parties and hold them accountable.
- Next, we will file your paperwork. Pennsylvania has strict medical malpractice laws. One misstep on the paperwork could cost you the entire lawsuit. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. That means the injured patient only has two years to file a claim against the negligent medical provider. Our attorneys will ensure your medical malpractice lawsuit is filed correctly and on time.
- We will build a rock-solid case that proves the medical care you received from the pharmacist and other healthcare professionals involved fell below the expected standard of care. We will show that your injuries or worsened illness were the direct result of the pharmacy error, and we will work to recover maximum compensation for your losses.
- Finally, we will take over all communication with the hospital and its insurance company and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. If your case goes to trial, your Munley medical malpractice attorney will accompany you.
Compensation for Scranton Pharmacy Error Victims
In medical malpractice claims, there are three general forms of compensation for the injured victim: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Let’s take a deeper look at all three:
- Economic damages: These are monetary losses with a physical receipt attached. They include medical bills, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity.
- Non-economic damages are the intangible losses you incur because of your illness or injury. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium in cases of wrongful death.
- Punitive damages: Finally, the defendant may be ordered to pay punitive and compensatory damages. Punitive damages are money paid in addition to economic and non-economic damages—they are meant to punish the defendant rather than award the injured patient.
FAQs About Pharmacy Errors in Scranton
Who is responsible for pharmacy and medication errors?
Several parties may be held liable for medication errors. The most obvious culprit is the pharmacist. They are directly responsible for medication accuracy. Other potentially liable parties include:
- The pharmacy where the negligent pharmacist works.
- Pharmacy technicians who assisted in filling the prescription.
- The medical professional who prescribed the medication.
Is a medication error considered malpractice?
Yes, a medication error can certainly be considered medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is professional negligence that occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide reasonable patient care, harming the patient.
If a pharmacist or physician was negligent with your medication, and you were harmed, you can take legal action. Hire an attorney and file a medical malpractice claim against the negligent parties.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Scranton Pharmacy Errors Lawyer
The first step to any medical malpractice claim is to seek legal advice from a trusted source. The Munley Law personal 
injury attorneys have been serving Pennsylvania residents since 1959. We are a legal team of experienced medical malpractice lawyers who can help you understand your rights and legal options.
Our medical malpractice lawyers have offices in Scranton and across Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Stroudsburg. If you can’t visit us, we’ll come to you.
Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us a dime unless we recover compensation for your claim. Our track record of success speaks for itself. Let us help you build a strong case and fight to protect your rights. Call today for your free consultation.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
227 Penn Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503
(570)865-4699
