When is a Nursing Home Liable for a Medication Error?

 Posted on April 21, 2021 in Medication Errors

Nursing homes have a crucial responsibility to provide competent medical care. This includes ensuring that residents get the medications they need in the correct quantity at the right time. Failure to do so can lead to worsened medical conditions and even an avoidable resident death. If you or a loved one were the victim of a medication mistake in a nursing home, you might be curious about your legal options. You may be interested in holding the nursing home accountable for the error and pursuing monetary damages.

Elements of a Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit

Most medication errors fall under the category of neglect. Nursing homes are held to high standards when it comes to medical care. Most residents are in poor health when they arrive at the facility. They may be on medications intended to alleviate pain, prevent blood clots, regulate blood pressure, treat infections, and more. Without these mediations, they may suffer severe or life-threatening consequences. Consider the story of one nursing home staff member who mistakenly gave a resident the drug vecuronium - a drug commonly used during lethal injections - instead of a common anti-anxiety medication with a similar name. The staff was charged with reckless homicide after the resident died from the medication error.  

Nursing home neglect occurs when a nursing home’s failure to provide reasonably skilled medical care results in a patient's injury or death and damages result from the injury or death. Damages are losses such as additional hospital bills or funeral and burial expenses.  

Medication Errors That May Justify a Nursing Home Lawsuit

Medication errors can take many different forms. Some examples of medication mistakes that may lead to a nursing home neglect lawsuit include:

• Skipping medication doses

• Not allowing residents access to necessary medications

• Mixing up residents’ medications

• Giving the wrong medication

• Providing too much or too little mediation

• Incorrectly administering the medication

• Incorrectly documenting medications

• Failing to monitor a resident for side effects or adverse reactions

• Failing to account for resident allergies or drug interactions

Contact a Cook County Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

Medication mistakes can lead to new or aggravated medical concerns for nursing home residents. The resident may be left with painful side effects or may even need emergency medical treatment to deal with the aftermath of the mistake. Sadly, some medication mistakes are fatal. If you or a loved one were the victim of a medication error while in a nursing home, call Schwartz Injury Law at 312-535-4625. Our team of experienced Chicago nursing home injury attorneys can help you pursue justice.

Source:

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2019/02/04/vanderbilt-nurse-reckless-homicide-charge-vecuronium-versed-drug-error/2772648002/