Syracuse Medication Error Attorneys

When Medication Causes Harm Instead of Healing

When people are treated for an injury or illness, their care often includes at least one medication. Used properly, medication helps patients recover, manage pain, and move forward with their lives. But when a medical professional is negligent with medication, patients can suffer serious—and sometimes life-threatening—consequences.

The medical malpractice attorneys at Cherundolo Law Firm, PLLC help people who have been harmed by medication errors in hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Our firm has recovered significant compensation for clients whose lives were changed by a medication mistake.

Types of Medication Errors

• Prescribing the wrong medication for the patient's condition
• Prescribing a medication the patient is known to be allergic to
• Administering the wrong dose (too much or too little)
• Administering medication at the wrong time or by the wrong route
• Giving medication to the wrong patient
• Failing to recognize dangerous drug interactions
• Pharmacy dispensing errors
• Failing to warn the patient of known side effects
• Illegible handwriting leading to misreading of prescriptions

Common Causes of Medication Mistakes

Medication errors often happen when medical professionals are distracted, fatigued, or understaffed. Other causes include failing to review patient information, miscommunication between providers, and rushed medication orders. All of these are examples of negligence. A patient should be able to trust that their doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider is providing the correct medication in the correct amount.

Injuries Caused by Medication Errors

Depending on the medication and the mistake, patients can suffer:

• Severe allergic reactions
• Organ damage, including liver and kidney failure
• Brain damage from overdose or oxygen deprivation
• Cardiac events
• Worsening of the original condition being treated
• New illnesses or disabilities
• Death

Holding the Right Parties Accountable

Depending on the circumstances, liability for a medication error may rest with the prescribing physician, the hospital or clinic, the pharmacist, the pharmacy, or a combination of these parties. Our firm investigates every step in the medication chain to identify all responsible parties and pursue maximum compensation.