Roanoke Pharmacy Malpractice Attorney
According to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists must pass a board examination and attain a minimum of 1,500 practical experience before obtaining a license in the state. The reason for such standards is because the work of a pharmacist is directly correlated to their patient’s health. When a person is mis-prescribed a medication they could be in extended amounts of pain, experience irreversible side effects, or even die. If you or a loved one has had trouble with a pharmacy prescription, which has resulted in harm, it is time to speak with a knowledgeable Roanoke pharmacy malpractice attorney.
Examples of Pharmacy Malpractice
ABC News reported on a specific case where a patient who was prescribed Materna, a prenatal drug, was given Matulane, which is a chemotherapy drug instead. The result was not only a miscarriage, but potential for long-term health issues. Other examples of pharmacy malpractice include:
- Giving the wrong dose of a prescription;
- Filling a prescription with a different medication that it called for;
- Mixing up two patient’s prescriptions;
- Giving improper instructions or failing to give instructions for how to take the medication;
- Failing to warn the patient about potential side effects;
- Failing to warn the patient about what drug interactions there may be with the medication;
- Filling a prescription even when there is confusion over the doctor’s script;
- Incorrectly compounding a medication;
- Improperly labeling a medicine container; and
- More.
Many pharmacy malpractice cases are against large pharmacy chains such as Walgreens or CVS, who try to settle outside of court before there is any request for information. This allows them to avoid sharing details, such as how many prescriptions are filled by pharmacists per hour. These settlements almost always include a confidentiality agreement, which means it is hard to track statistics on exactly what goes wrong that causes pharmacy malpractice cases.
Compensation in Pharmacy Malpractice Cases
It is important to note that compensation can be sought for loss caused by harm to the body or the mind. Some pharmacy malpractice cases involve errors with psychiatrist medications, and the harm may be emotional distress or loss of a job from a psychiatrist break. Other common damages that compensation can be awarded for include:
- Medical expenses;
- Rehabilitation services;
- Lost wages from time away from work;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of consortium; and
- Funeral and burial costs.
The Pharmacy Malpractice Attorneys of MichieHamlett Can Help Recover Damages
If you or a loved one is experiencing unexpected side effects from a medication or realizes an error on a medicine container for a medication that is critical to your health, you may have a pharmacy malpractice case. The skilled Roanoke pharmacy malpractice attorneys at MichieHamlett can help you prove the breach of care and how it results in harm. In addition to advising you and assisting you submit a claim, we will advocate for your best interests against the giant pharmacy corporation. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
