Prescription medications are often vital to your health and well-being, depending on the type of illness you have or the status of your condition. Receiving the wrong medication can be dangerous and could have significant effects on your health. If you were prescribed the wrong medication by your provider, you have several legal options available to you. Continue reading and speak with a Bergen County medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your rights and obtain representation today.
What Affects Can Taking the Wrong Medication Have?
Incorrectly prescribed medication can have a significant negative impact on your health and well-being. Whether the dosage or drug itself is incorrect, it could have severe consequences.
If you are taking an incorrect prescription, you may have unexpected symptoms, side effects, and allergic reactions. If you are on more than one medication, it could be dangerous for the drugs to interact with one another.
The best scenario is you catch the mistake and only have minor symptoms. However, depending on the details of your condition and the drugs that were incorrectly prescribed, you could face life-threatening issues.
What Should I Do if I’m Prescribed the Wrong Medication?
If you were prescribed the wrong medication, your first priority should be your health. It is imperative that you seek medical advice as soon as possible. If you are experiencing an allergic reaction or severe side effects, go to the hospital or doctor immediately and seek medical treatment. Otherwise, reach out to your healthcare provider and let them know that you believe you have received the wrong medication.
Once you have been medically evaluated and are in stable condition, it is important to explore your legal options.
Can I Sue?
If you were prescribed the wrong type or dosage of medication, you may be able to take legal action against your doctor or the pharmacist who administered the drugs. Consult a medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case and learn more about your options. After evaluating the circumstances surrounding the error, they can help you determine whether you have a valid claim.
In a medical malpractice lawsuit, you must be able to prove that your healthcare provider or pharmacist was negligent. For example, if the doctor did not check your medical history or ask pertinent questions when prescribing, their lack of effort could be seen as negligent, which led to the improper prescription.
A pharmacist could also be held liable if they were negligent in their practices. For example, if the pharmacist accidentally administered a drug other than the one prescribed or failed to notice an error on the prescription, they could face legal responsibility.
If you were prescribed the wrong medication, it is crucial that you understand your legal rights and options to compensation. It is important that medical professionals are held to high standards and respect the duty of care they owe patients. Reach out to a skilled attorney for more information today.
