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 Offices understand 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Keith A. Hebeisen $2,300,000: Doctors failed to discontinue a blood clotting drug: woman suffers amputation of both legs.