Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Long Beach
Medicine, while necessary to the health and well-being of people throughout the world, is often a double edged sword. On one hand, it has become necessary to corralling the illness that many suffer from and from helping prevent associated problems. On the other, however, it can be source of the illness itself. Not only from dangerous drugs. In some cases, even the safest of drugs can cause a patient more harm than good. Typically, this is the case when medical professionals accidently cause what is commonly referred to as medication errors.
What are the dangers of medication errors?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently wrote up a write up of some of the most common medication errors that are experienced by people throughout the nation on an annual basis. Per the FDA and the American Hospital Association, the most common errors involving medication include:
- Doctors not taking comprehensive patient information;
- Not having up-to-date drug information;
- Miscommunication about the drug orders;
- Not labeling the drugs correctly; and
- Not storing the drugs as they need to be stored
This can lead to a variety of issues that all leave the patient as the one hanging out to dry. This could mean that the doctor did not know about an allergy of the patient and prescribe drugs that causes a serious reaction or it could mean that they wrote an illegible prescription that resulted in the patient taking an overdose. Regardless, when medication is involved, it is important to realize that lives are at stake - and if a medical professional makes a mistake that results in a serious injury or illness, they should be held accountable for their error.
Helping to Prevent Errors of Medication
How can you help to prevent medication errors? Although it might seem impossible, the truth is that preventing this serious event from occurring can be very simple. All that you need to do is stay an involved participant in the medical process rather than passively watching. Simple steps such as asking the doctor for the name of the drug to clarify, asking them to tell you just how much you should be taking and having them explain the purpose of the drug can all be steps to helping you prevent something from occurring.
Beyond that, it is important that you voice any concern if you notice something that doesn't seem right. Make sure that your doctor knows about all medication that you are taking (prescription or not) and make sure that everything on the prescription appears as your doctor told you. Even if you are in a hospital and are confused by the amount of drugs that you are taking, it is still possible to ask questions. You, a friend or a relative can make sure that you are well-aware of everything that you are ingesting.
Medication Error Cases in the Long Beach, CA Area
When dealing with the possibility of a medical malpractice case, you should not hesitate to consult with a Long Beach personal injury lawyer that is well-versed in personal injury. At the Pacific Attorney Group, they have over 35 years of collective experience and recognize just what is on the line with cases of this severity. Should you choose to work with them, you will be able to rest easier knowing that they will stop at nothing in their efforts to provide their clients with hard-hitting and aggressive assistance when it is needed most.
For help in your medication error case, do not hesitate to contact a Long Beach medical malpractice attorney from the Pacific Attorney Group as soon as you can.