Pharmacy Errors: When You’re Given Another Customer’s Medication

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact Kane Law today and let us start working on your case.

Call Now

Email

Pharmacy Errors: When You’re Given Another Customer’s Medication

Pharmacy errors are more common than most people think, and one of the most dangerous errors that can occur is when a pharmacy dispenses the wrong medication—specifically, when you are given another customer’s medication. This can lead to serious, and sometimes life-threatening, consequences for the individual who receives the incorrect medication. If you have been harmed due to such a pharmacy error, it’s important to understand how the legal process works and how a pharmacy error lawyer can help you seek justice and compensation.

What is a Pharmacy Error?

A pharmacy error occurs when a pharmacy or pharmacist makes a mistake in dispensing medication. This can include providing the wrong medication, giving an incorrect dosage, or mislabeling a prescription. One particularly concerning type of error is when a patient is given another person’s medication entirely.

Mistakes like this can cause a range of harmful outcomes. The wrong medication can trigger allergic reactions, dangerous side effects, and interfere with ongoing treatments for other conditions. In some cases, taking the wrong medication can even result in long-term health complications or fatalities.

The Role of an Attorney in Pharmacy Error Cases

If you have suffered injuries because you were given another customer’s medication, it’s important to contact an experienced pharmacy error lawyer or prescription error lawyer to discuss your case. A lawyer specializing in pharmacy malpractice can guide you through the legal process, help determine who is at fault, and seek appropriate compensation on your behalf.

An attorney’s role in these cases includes:

5

Investigating the incident:

Your lawyer will gather evidence, such as medical records and pharmacy logs, to understand exactly how the error occurred and who was responsible.
5

Consulting experts:

Expert witnesses, such as pharmacists or medical professionals, may be consulted to determine how the error could have been prevented.
5

Determining liability:

The lawyer will assess whether the pharmacy, a specific employee, or another party was negligent in filling the prescription incorrectly.
In many cases, your personal injury lawyer will also work with you to ensure you are properly compensated for your injuries, pain, suffering, and financial losses.

Types of Compensation Available for Pharmacy Errors

If you’ve been harmed due to a pharmacy error, you may be entitled to several types of compensation. This can include:

5

Medical Expenses:

If you needed medical treatment because of the pharmacy error, you may be entitled to compensation for hospital visits, prescription drugs, therapy, surgeries, and any ongoing care related to the error.
5

Lost Wages:

If the error caused you to miss work or affected your ability to earn a living, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income.
5

Pain and Suffering:

The physical and emotional distress caused by taking the wrong medication can be compensated as pain and suffering. This includes both short-term and long-term impacts on your quality of life.
5

Punitive Damages:

In some cases where the pharmacy acted with extreme negligence, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter future similar conduct.

How Liability is Determined in Pharmacy Error Cases

Liability in a pharmacy error case is determined by demonstrating that the pharmacy was negligent and failed to meet the standard of care expected. The following factors play a role in determining liability:

5

Negligence:

Was the pharmacy careless or did they fail to follow proper procedures? For example, did a pharmacist or technician mistakenly grab the wrong prescription, mislabel the medication, or fail to properly check the records?
5

Breach of Duty:

Pharmacies have a legal duty to ensure that the medications they dispense are correct and safe. A breach of that duty can make them liable for any harm caused.
5

Causation:

Your attorney will need to prove that the pharmacy’s error directly caused your injury or harm. This may involve showing that the wrong medication led to specific health issues.
5

Damages:

You must have suffered actual harm—whether physical, emotional, or financial—as a result of the pharmacy’s mistake in order to pursue compensation.

Real-Life Examples of Pharmacy Errors

5

Case 1: A Wrong Prescription for a Blood Pressure Medication

A woman went to a local pharmacy to pick up a prescription for blood pressure medication, but the pharmacy accidentally gave her a prescription for a high-dose painkiller that was intended for someone else. The woman took the medication, leading to an overdose that required emergency medical treatment. She filed a lawsuit against the pharmacy, and the court awarded her compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
5

Case 2: Wrong Medication for an Antidepressant

A man picked up his antidepressant medication, only to discover that the pharmacy had filled his prescription with a completely different drug. He experienced an allergic reaction and required hospitalization. His pharmacy malpractice lawyer helped him secure compensation for his medical treatment and emotional distress.
5

Case 3: Dangerous Interaction Between Medications

A customer picked up a medication for their chronic pain but was mistakenly given another person’s medication that interacted dangerously with the pain reliever. The customer suffered severe side effects and was hospitalized. The case was resolved with a settlement that covered medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Why You Should Hire a Pharmacy Error Lawyer

Navigating a pharmacy error case can be complex, and having a skilled attorney on your side is crucial. A pharmacy error lawyer will help you identify all liable parties, gather necessary evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.

At Jason Kane Law, we specialize in handling pharmacy error cases. Our experienced personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and resources to tackle complex medical malpractice cases and fight for your rights. We understand the impact that a pharmacy error can have on your life, and we are here to help you every step of the way.

Why Choose Us?

If you’re wondering why you should choose us to represent you, here’s why:

No Fee Promise:

You won’t pay us a cent unless we win your case.

Recent Wins:

See how we’ve helped clients win settlements in similar cases.

Testimonials:

Hear from our satisfied clients who trusted us with their pharmacy error cases.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Get answers to your common questions about pharmacy error and personal injury claims.

Don’t wait for the situation to worsen. If you’ve been harmed due to a pharmacy error, contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced prescription error lawyers. We are here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Learn More About Personal Injury Cases

To learn more about how we can assist you with other personal injury cases, visit our Personal Injury Lawyer page.