Pharmaceutical Errors

With offices in Salt Lake City, The Gooch Firm, P.C. represents clients throughout Utah and Idaho in personal injury and malpractice claims involving pharmaceutical errors. Pharmacists have had extensive training and should be held to a high standard. However, overworked, careless, and unsupervised pharmacists and other pharmacy employees make mistakes in filling prescriptions every day, often with grave consequences.

Causes of Pharmaceutical Errors

Pharmacy negligence or malpractice occurs when a pharmacist or pharmacy assistant does not act as a reasonably prudent pharmacist or pharmacy assistant would act under the same or similar circumstances. Adverse reactions to receiving improper medication can result in serious illness, organ damage, and even death. Some common pharmaceutical errors include:

• Dispensing the wrong medication
• Giving the patient the wrong dosage
• Giving incorrect instructions
• Failing to provide adequate counseling
• Confusing drugs that look alike or have similar sounding names
• Failing to account for known drug allergies or harmful drug interactions with other medications the patient was taking.
• Miscommunication between pharmacists and doctors

The number of pharmaceutical errors has increased dramatically over the past several years. Studies indicate that as many as 15-percent of medical prescriptions are filled in error, and the problem is expected to worsen as aging baby boomers and others increasingly rely on prescription medications.

Pursuing a Pharmaceutical Negligence or Malpractice Claim

If you have been injured by a pharmacy error or pharmacy negligence, contact your doctor or hospital immediately. It is imperative to document that you took the wrong medication, and that you get early treatment for any potential side effects or complications. Also, it is important that you keep the prescription bottle as evidence--do not throw away the wrong pills or return the bottle to the pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical drug errors are usually preventable with the implementation of appropriate procedures and precautions, and the application of reasonable care. When they are not prevented and serious or catastrophic harm results to the patient, the responsible parties should be held accountable. Damages may include current medical expenses and any future medical care required to treat the long-term effects of the harmful drug. Victims can also collect for lost earnings if the injury or illness is disabling, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. If a loved one died, we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim against the pharmacy.

Seek Experienced, Knowledgeable Representation

For over a decade, our firm has helped injury victims recover fair and proper compensation for their damages. If you or someone you love has experienced a pharmaceutical error, please contact The Gooch Firm P.C. for a free initial consultation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you will not pay attorney's fees unless we recover on your behalf. Se habla español.