Medication Errors & Pharmacy Mistakes
When Misdiagnosis or Delay Becomes Malpractice
When Medication Mistakes Become Malpractice
Medication errors can happen at any point in the chain — from a doctor writing a prescription, to a pharmacy filling it, to a nurse or hospital staff administering it. If a healthcare professional’s negligence in prescribing, dispensing, or giving medication causes serious harm, that’s medical malpractice. These cases often involve preventable mistakes that no careful provider or pharmacist should make.
Types of Medication Errors
Medication errors take many forms, including:
01
Wrong Medication Prescribed
The doctor orders the wrong drug or writes it for the wrong patient.
02
Wrong Dose
A decimal point mistake or incorrect measurement leads to dangerous overdoses or ineffective underdoses.
03
Harmful Drug Interactions
Prescriber fails to review your full medication list for potential conflicts.
05
Allergic Reactions Ignored
Medication given despite a documented allergy in your chart.
06
Wrong Patient Administration
Hospital staff administers medication meant for another patient.
04
Pharmacy Misfills
Pharmacist gives someone else’s pills, the wrong drug, or the wrong strength.
Consequences of Medication Errors
The effects of a medication mistake can be devastating. Overdoses may cause organ damage or even death. Underdosing can allow a condition to worsen — for example, too little seizure medication can trigger severe episodes. The wrong drug can cause catastrophic side effects, such as a dangerous drop in blood pressure or an allergic reaction that leads to anaphylaxis. Beyond the physical harm, many patients struggle with the emotional fallout of having trusted a treatment that caused new injuries.
Who Is Liable? Doctor, Pharmacy, or Hospital?
Liability depends on where the breakdown happened. A doctor who prescribes the wrong medication may be responsible. A pharmacy that fills a prescription incorrectly can be held accountable for the resulting harm. In hospitals, a nurse who gives the wrong drug or dose could make the hospital liable. In many cases, multiple parties share responsibility — our role is to identify all those at fault and hold them accountable.
How We Handle Medication Error Cases
We investigate medication error claims thoroughly. This includes reviewing prescription records, pharmacy logs, and hospital medication charts. We work with pharmacology experts and toxicologists to understand what went wrong and how it could have been prevented. We also look for patterns — such as whether a pharmacy has a history of misfills or if a hospital skipped standard verification steps — to strengthen the case.
Our Commitment to Affected Patients
We understand how frightening it is to learn the medication you trusted was the very thing that harmed you. Our team has helped clients recover after errors that led to ICU stays, permanent health complications, and the loss of loved ones. Every case is approached with urgency and compassion, ensuring clients get the answers and justice they deserve.
Don’t Wait
Contact Us if You Suspect a Medication Error
If your health took a sudden downturn after starting a new prescription or you discovered a medication error, don’t wait to seek help. Contact our medication error attorneys serving Maryland and Washington, D.C. for a free case review. We’ll investigate at no upfront cost to you and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.