Medication Errors and Narcotics
When a person suffers an illness or injury, they may be prescribed medication as part of their treatment. Unfortunately, if medical professionals are not careful about the type of medication they prescribe or the amount that is given to patients, medicine can cause more harm than good. Medication errors can damage patients physically, emotionally, and financially.
Medication errors involving narcotics are a growing concern across the nation. Irresponsible dosing with narcotics has resulted in addiction and overdose concerns. Victims of medication errors related to narcotics can work with the attorneys at our Salt Lake City, UT, law firm, Younker Hyde Macfarlane to learn about their legal right to financial compensation.
Avoiding Medication Errors
Professionals within the medical field are held to a certain standard of care. Patients have the right to expect that the care they receive from one medical professional is comparable to that which would be provided by a similarly trained medical professional. When it comes to prescribing and distributing medication, there are very specific guidelines in place to protect patients.
The standards pertaining to medication administration are referred to as the five R’s. To avoid medication errors, professionals should ensure they have:
- The right patient
- The right route
- The right dose
- The right time
- The right medication
These guidelines should not only be upheld when medication is administered in a medical setting, but also when medicine is prescribed to be taken at home.
Medication Errors and Narcotics Concerns
Any medication errors can have catastrophic consequences for a patient. Typical concerns include interactions with other medications prescribed to the patient, allergic reactions, and illness. However, there is another concern that is a growing problem in the medical field, and that is aggressive prescriptions, particularly related to narcotics.
In Salt Lake City and across the country, addiction and overdose concerns are growing. Sadly, many of these problems start with a legal narcotic prescription. Narcotics are known to be highly addictive, yet many medical professionals are prescribing high-dose narcotic medication to treat pain. A patient can become addicted to high doses of narcotics quickly and easily. Over time, addiction can result in an overdose, as higher doses of medication are required to provide the relief that the patient seeks.
Medication Errors and Medical Malpractice
Legally speaking, medication errors are a form of medical malpractice. If a patient suffers physical illness or injury and financial damages due to a medication error, they have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit to seek compensation for resulting losses.
The attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane have handled many cases involving medication errors. We will gather the evidence necessary to prove liability, so that our Salt Lake City clients receive the compensation they are due. We consider all manner of damages to affect our clients, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Proving Medical Malpractice Related to Narcotics Errors
Proving that addiction or overdose were the result of high-dose narcotics prescriptions can be complex. However, our attorneys are prepared to work alongside experts in the field to demonstrate that narcotics were prescribed in doses beyond what was necessary. We rely heavily on the testimony of other medical professionals to show that our clients suffered unnecessarily due to medical malpractice related to medication errors involving narcotics.
Schedule a Consultation
If you or a loved one has struggled with addiction to narcotics, you may be the victim of a medication error. To discuss your situation with the knowledgeable team of attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane, call (801) 335-7025 to schedule a free consultation at your earliest convenience.