Medication errors (administering the wrong medication) and prescription errors are on the rise. It has been reported that well over 1.5 million mistakes are made in drugs and medicines that are dispensed annually to patients throughout the country. The Institute of Medicine found in 2006 that at least a quarter of these errors, or 375,000 of them, are preventable.

Many of the mistakes are in the translation of the prescriptions. Work now is being done to have all prescriptions written electronically by 2010, which will correct some of the errors. The report, however, found at least one medication error per day for every hospitalized patient. Serious drug errors can add more than $5,800 to the hospital bill of each patient, according to the study.

There is reported to be more than 10,000 prescription drugs and 300,000 over-the-counter products in this country. Add to that, four out of every five American adults take at least one medication or dietary supplement a day. It is reported nearly a third of U.S. adults takes at least five of these a day. The need to be cautious and correct is vital to every person’s health.

The Experienced Prescription Error Attorneys of Clifford Law

Clifford Law Offices understands the severity of the problem. The lawyers at the firm have experience in product liability and have handled cases dealing with mistakes in dispensing prescription medication. Hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies all need to be extremely careful in order to avoid errors with patients. They must take time to explain to consumers information that is necessary for them to take medication properly.

In litigating these lawsuits, which often arise from product liability claims as well, the firm's malpractice attorneys develop the cases beyond the line of improper treatment, diagnosis and surgery and investigate if medical products and drugs were involved as well as the liability of any health maintenance organization. Two attorneys on staff are also registered nurses who bring an in-depth look in many areas of Illinois medical malpractice law. You can find more information on our experience in hospital malpractice litigation at our page on medical and hospital negligence. Moreover, it is important to note that as a result of our litigation in areas ranging from aviation liability to personal injury and wrongful death, defective products and dangerous practices have been changed or abandoned altogether.

We look forward to putting our experience to work for you. To get started, just use the form on your right to email Clifford Law Offices with some details on your case and a convenient time for us to call. You can also call Clifford Law Offices toll free at 1-800-899-0410 or (312) 899-9090 if you are in the Chicago, Illinois area.

About Medical Malpractice and our Experienced Chicago Medication Error Attorneys

Every member of our firm upholds the highest principle of the legal profession in placing the individual client first. The firm often is said to set the standard in professional excellence. Clifford Law Offices has handled medical malpractice claims involving every medical specialty, and has experienced medication error attorneys. Despite this era of health care change and turmoil, Clifford Law Offices' commitment is unwavering in responding to consumer rights and awareness. Click here to learn more about our work in medical malpractice, and click here to review recent judgments and settlements by our medical malpractice lawyers and prescription error attorneys.

Medication Error Attorney and Prescription Error Attorney Settlements & Judgments

06/28/2006 Robert A. Clifford, Timothy S. Tomasik $16,698,788

Hospital held responsible for independent physician’s negligent administration of spinal anesthesia, causing partial paralysis, incontinence, and other neurological deficits

09/25/2003 Keith A. Hebeisen $3,000,000

28-year-old husband developed an allergic reaction to a drug which caused a blood clot in his leg which the hospital failed to timely diagnose and treat resulting in an above-knee amputation.

01/23/1998 Keith A. Hebeisen $2,300,000

Doctors failed to discontinue a blood-clotting drug: woman suffers amputation of both legs.