Rockford, IL Medication Errors Lawyers

Injury Attorneys for Victims of Pharmacy Mistakes in Winnebago County

New and powerful medications enter the market each year. While many of them save lives and help preserve the quality of life for many patients, they can also have very harmful (and sometimes deadly) side effects. Most doctors, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, nursing homes, and other types of medical facilities are authorized to prescribe medications. With so many different parties involved, there is a high potential for error. How big is the problem? A study by Johns Hopkins University found that at least 1.5 million Americans suffer serious and preventable injury and as many as 7,000 Americans die each year due to medication errors.

At Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, we have over 20 years of experience and a strong track record of successful results holding responsible parties fully accountable when medication errors occur. Our medical malpractice team has in-depth knowledge of these types of cases and what it takes to prevail against even the most well-funded adversaries. We work collaboratively on each case to thoroughly investigate the unique circumstances and uncover the exact cause of the error. In addition, we routinely call on top national and international professionals to provide expert testimony that helps support our findings.

Case Result: $1.4 Million Verdict for Wrongful Death Due to a Medication Error

Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law secured a $1.4 million verdict for the estate of an 82-year-old man who was being treated for a possible cardiac condition. While the cardiac tests were ongoing, the patient was placed on an IV of Heparin. Despite the fact that the tests came back normal, and the Heparin drug was interfering with normal blood clotting, the patient was kept on the drug. This resulted in internal bleeding, multiple organ failures, and eventually, death.

Common Causes of Medication Errors in Illinois

Medication is not an exact science. Unfortunately, errors frequently happen that cause serious harm to the patient. Medication errors can occur at any stage of the process, from the initial prescription, to the medication delivery, to the monitoring of the patient after administration of the drug.

Some of the most common reasons medication errors occur include:

• Inadequate staffing at hospitals and other medical facilities
• Inexperience and inattentiveness on the part of the facility's staff
• Failure to follow the facility's safety procedures
• Medical record/chart mix-ups
• Sloppy handwriting
• Pharmacy labeling errors
• Overdoses or under-doses
• Skipping doses
• Mixing/combining incompatible medications
• Administering the wrong drug due to a misdiagnosis
• Administering defective drugs
• Failure to take emergency measures to treat an adverse reaction

With so many possible ways a medication error can occur, it can be difficult to pin down who the responsible party is. For this reason, it is important to work with skilled attorneys who know what factors to look for (when reviewing the medical records) that can successfully prove negligence.

Contact a Boone County Medication Injury Attorney

At Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, we have the experience, resources, and dedication to provide the strong representation our clients deserve. We understand the major physical, emotional, and financial costs medication error injury victims and their families must incur, and we are committed to ensuring that our clients are fully compensated. We provide free consultations, and our cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, so you never have to pay upfront legal fees.

If you or someone close to you has been the victim of a medication error, do not settle for anything less than you deserve. Contact our office today at 815-215-7561 to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients in Rockford, Winnebago County, Freeport, Belvidere, Winnebago, Loves Park, Byron, Rochelle, Oregon, Boone County, Stephenson County, Ogle County, and throughout Illinois.