Chicago Nursing Home Medication Errors Lawyer

Pursuing Justice for Victims of Medication Errors in Chicago Nursing Homes

Medication errors can lead to life-threatening injuries or even death due to improper dosage, providing the wrong drug, or general neglect. Assisted living facilities have a legal obligation to administer medications correctly and monitor their effects on residents. 

Failing to manage medications as a doctor prescribes is medical malpractice. If your loved one has suffered injuries from a medication mistake, it’s time to contact a medication error lawyer. 

Our Law Firm’s Successful Nursing Home Abuse Settlements

Medication and medical errors can have devastating effects on residents and their families. When facilities neglect their duties, they must be held accountable. Here are examples of successful settlements that secured compensation for nursing home neglect victims and their families:

• $2,000,000 Pharmacy Medication Error Settlement – Reached for a patient who suffered severe health complications due to a pharmacy’s medication mistake, resulting in the wrong dosage and treatment delays.
• $1,500,000 Recovery for Family of Dementia Patient – Secured for the family of a dementia patient who ingested harmful chemicals after gaining access to an unlocked storage closet in a care facility, resulting in severe health complications.
• $1,500,000 Group Home Negligence Lawsuit – Awarded to a family for resident-on-resident physical abuse in a group home facility, holding the facility accountable for its failure to protect vulnerable individuals.

These cases show how a medication error attorney can hold negligent medical professionals accountable. If your loved one has suffered from medical malpractice, speak with an experienced medication error attorney to discuss your legal options and get justice. Our law firm has free consultations for potential medication error lawsuits.

Common Medication Errors

Common Chicago medication errors are a serious concern in a patient’s care, as they can occur at any stage of the therapeutic process, including prescribing, administering, and monitoring. This medical malpractice can result in patient harm, severe injuries, or even wrongful death.

Some of the most common errors include: 

• Giving the incorrect medication to a resident
• Overdosing or underdosing a patient due to miscalculations
• Mixing up medications between residents
• Failing to monitor side effects or drug interactions
• Skipping or delaying required doses
• Using expired medications or incorrect prescriptions
• Using the wrong method to administer medications
• Giving medication without reviewing the patient’s medical history

These errors can lead to life-threatening injuries and may qualify as medical negligence or a medication error case. It’s crucial to seek legal guidance from a Chicago medication error lawyer to help you recover compensation for the harm caused. 

Medical malpractice claims also hold facilities and healthcare professionals accountable for their actions, preventing future negligence.

How a Medication Error Can Happen

Medication errors are often a result of systemic issues such as understaffing or lack of training. These slip-ups can lead to preventable injuries. Some common causes of medication errors include:

• Understaffing and rushed care: When nursing staff is overwhelmed, they may make deviations with medication administration.
• Lack of proper training: Staff may be inadequately trained on how to properly handle medications or recognize signs of adverse reactions.
• Failure to follow instructions: Sometimes, staff fail to properly follow prescription instructions or check a resident’s medical history.
• Neglecting interactions or side effects: Ignoring symptoms that indicate drug overdoses or negative medication interactions can have catastrophic effects.

Medication Errors Cause Devastating Injuries, Even Death

The consequences of medical malpractice in the form of a medication error case can be devastating. Residents may experience severe allergic reactions, organ damage, increased risk of falls, confusion, and impaired cognitive function. Existing medical conditions can also worsen due to the wrong medication or dosage. 

In some cases, medication errors can result in respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or even death. Additionally, residents who suffer from medication-related trauma may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), affecting their mental health and quality of life.

Holding Medical Professionals and Drug Manufacturers Accountable

Medication errors in assisted living facilities can be the fault of either the facility or the drug manufacturer, and sometimes both. Identifying the responsible party is key to determining the appropriate legal action. Below, we explain when to pursue a case against the nursing center or the medication manufacturer.

When to Take Action Against a Nursing Facility

Senior care facilities must administer medications correctly and monitor for reactions. If they fail, they can be held liable for any harm caused. Legal action is required when negligence (e.g., giving the wrong medication or dosage) leads to injury. Understaffing, undertraining, or rushed care can increase medication errors, making the facility responsible for the harm.

When to Take Action Against a Drug Manufacturer

If a medication error stems from a defect, labeling issue, or poor manufacturing, pharmaceutical companies may be at fault. Manufacturers are responsible for testing safety and providing accurate labeling. If a medication is formulated incorrectly or mislabeled, causing harm, the manufacturer can be held liable.

Additionally, if the manufacturer fails to properly test the drug or warn healthcare providers about potential risks, they may be responsible for any resulting injuries. In such cases, the manufacturer’s failure to test the drug’s safety leads to medication errors and harm.

How to Determine Who is at Fault

Determining who is responsible for a medication error can be complex, as it may involve both the convalescent home and the drug developers. Consulting with medical experts is crucial, as they can review the patient’s medical records and determine if the oversight resulted from improper administration or a flaw in the medication itself. 

Reviewing prescriptions and facility logs can help determine whether the mistake resulted from facility negligence or a defective drug. If both parties are at fault, such as when a faulty medication is administered incorrectly, legal experts can assess liability and guide you through the legal process.

Legal Rights in Chicago for Medication Error Claims

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act protects residents from medication errors due to negligence, requiring nursing staff to dispense medications properly, watch for any issues, and respond to emergencies. If a facility fails to give proper medical treatment, families can take legal action. 

Additionally, several state and federal laws require prescribed medications to be safely administered:

• The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act requires homes to provide proper care and services that meet applicable medical standards, including administering prescriptions according to the instructions.
• The Illinois Medical Malpractice Act allows patients and their families to pursue claims when healthcare providers, including care centers and doctors, fail to administer prescribed medications correctly or follow a doctor’s instructions.
• The Illinois Prescription Medication Safety Act emphasizes the responsibility of healthcare providers to accurately prescribe medications and monitor for any signs of adverse reactions or complications related to the medications.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers to ensure that prescriptions are safe and meet the appropriate standards, including proper labeling to avoid incorrect dosage or drug interactions.
• The Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act can apply in cases where a healthcare provider uses incorrect methods to administer medication that results in harm to the patient.

If a facility, prescribing doctor, or other healthcare professionals fails to follow regulations to provide prescription medications to a patient, families can seek compensation from medication error lawsuits.

How Our Legal Team Can Help You Seek Justice

Our law firm will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the medication error, gathering critical evidence such as medical records, expert testimony, and documentation of prescription errors. 

We will hold facilities, doctors, and pharmaceutical manufacturers accountable for the harm caused by medication oversight. Whether through settlement negotiations or taking the case to trial, we are committed to securing the maximum compensation for your loved one.

Free Consultation With a Chicago Medication Error Lawyer

Medication errors should never happen. If your loved one has suffered from a medication mistake, it is essential to take legal action promptly. 

Contact our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers today for a free initial consultation to discuss your legal options and learn how we can help you pursue justice for your loved one. Our experienced legal team will provide the guidance you need to seek the compensation you deserve.

Call (800) 926-7565 or fill out our online form.