California Pharmacy & Medication Error Lawyers

When Do You Need a California Pharmacy Error Lawyer?

There can be no room for error at the pharmacy counter.

Certain professions require a higher standard of care than other jobs, and pharmacy work is one of them. This is because too much, too little, or the wrong medication can cause severe injury or even death.

The attorneys at ​​Hodes Milman have represented multiple injured persons in prescription and pharmacy error cases. We have compiled the following information to help explain what pharmacy error is, what kind of harm it causes, and why it's so important to assert your legal rights if you've been injured by such negligence.

Speaking to an experienced pharmacy error lawyer today could help benefit you and your family, as well as anyone in your community who relies on the same pharmacy for their vital medications. Reach out to us by calling (949) 640-8222 for a free, confidential consultation at your earliest convenience.

What Qualifies for a California Pharmacy Error Lawsuit?

Pharmacy error is a subset of medication errors. Medication errors can be generally defined as any failure in the treatment process that causes, or has the potential to cause, harm to the patient via their medication. This includes errors in prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, and administering medications. Pharmacy errors largely take place in the dispensing stage, meaning they are usually not a form of medical malpractice, doctor error, or misdiagnosis. If there is overlap between a prescription error and a pharmacy error, your lawyer can help identify each unique form of negligence in court.

Under the law, a pharmacy error is a form of negligence, and the source of that error may be held liable for the injuries caused. A lawsuit could be brought against one or multiple entities, including the pharmacist, the manufacturer of the medication (in the form of a product liability suit), or the company that makes any dispensing machine or computer system that caused the error.

What Compensation Can a California Pharmacy Negligence Attorney Help You Secure?

A California pharmacy negligence attorney from Hodes Milmancan help you secure various forms of medical malpractice compensation if you've been harmed by pharmacy negligence.

Some of the compensations they may help you secure include:

• Medical Expenses: If you incurred medical expenses as a result of the negligence, such as additional treatments or medications to address the consequences of the error, you may be entitled to compensation to cover these costs.
• Lost Wages: If you had to miss work due to the effects of the negligence, you may be able to recover lost wages or income.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation may be available for physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the negligence.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.
• Wrongful Death Damages: If the negligence resulted in the death of a loved one, the family may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship.

The specific compensation available in a pharmacy negligence case will depend on the circumstances of the case, the extent of the damages suffered, and applicable laws and regulations in California. It's essential to consult with a qualified attorney experienced in pharmacy negligence to understand your rights and options for seeking compensation.

What Are the Main Types of Pharmacy Error?

When it comes to medication errors and omissions, pharmacy examples include:

• Incorrect medication: The wrong medication can cause symptoms ranging from discomfort, to lasting damage or death. For example, if your doctor prescribed a mild medication knowing your body's unique sensitivities, and instead your pharmacist issues a high-strength version of that medication, you could experience pain and further injury.
• Incorrect patient: Dispensing the medication to the wrong patient could cause severe harm. Not only does the original ailment go untreated, but the side effects of incorrect medications could cause profound damage. A man who needed heart medication and instead received birth control pills could be impacted with multiple problems all at once.
• Incorrect dosage: Incorrect dosages could cause significant damage in adults, and are especially dangerous for children. Medication measured out for the body weight of an adult could cause an overdose in a small child or infant. An overdose has the potential to overwhelm a child's organ systems, and may lead to coma, brain injury (from lack of oxygen aka hypoxia), or death.

The above pharmacy errors are unacceptable breaches of professional standards for a pharmacy, but they are ultimately mistakes, meaning they are accidental errors. Another aspect of pharmacy error which overlaps with a different area of law is pharmaceutical fraud.

California pharmacies, including those owned by big chains, make an estimated 5 million errors a year. If you or your loved ones were harmed, Hodes Milman can help. Contact us at (949) 640-8222 for a free, fully confidential consultation to learn about your options.

What Is Pharmaceutical Fraud?

There are instances where overmedicating isn't a mistake or pharmacist error, but instead an intentional illegal act meant to make money in a corrupt doctor-and-pharmacist scheme. Doctors are not allowed to own pharmacies or take financial kickbacks for the medications they prescribe, a division enacted in law to preserve the fiduciary duty (financial responsibility) of both parties.

If that divide is breached, it is an illegal act that requires handling in a criminal court. However, should you or a loved one be injured by a criminal conspiracy to defraud and overmedicate, you can seek civil damages and restitution by filing a lawsuit.

Examples of pharmaceutical fraud could entail an under-the-counter arrangement, as in a case where a doctor rents space to a pharmacist to launder the ill-gotten money through high rent payments. Another example is a case Hodes Milman has handled involving opioid and narcotics abuse. The circumstances included a federal arrest of the doctor for money laundering and illegal narcotic dealing, because such unlawful behavior turns those who should be medical professionals into drug dealers.

What Types of Injuries Can a California Pharmacy Malpractice Lawyer Handle?

The injuries that result from pharmaceutical error or fraud can be catastrophic. Some of the most severe injuries include:

• Single or multi-system failure: The failure of one or more body systems, like the renal system (kidneys), the cardiovascular system (heart), and the central nervous system (brain)
• Paralysis: A temporary or permanent inability to move
• Organ damage: Medications can permanently damage or shut down vital organs like the liver, lungs, kidneys, or heart
• Brain damage: Overdose or organ damage can shut down oxygen to the brain and create irreversible changes to speech, cognition, personality, or motor skills
• Death: The drastic damages that can be done due to incorrect medication or overdose could cause or contribute to an untimely death

The next section addresses how a pharmacy error lawsuit compensates for these injuries, including death.

An experienced pharmacy prescription error attorney from Hodes Milman will first argue for a fair settlement. We will also be prepared to go to trial if necessary to secure you the best possible outcome.

Contact a California Pharmacy Malpractice Attorney

The high standards of care expected from doctors, nurses, and surgeons also extend to pharmacy workers. A pharmacist literally holds your life in their hands when they hand over a prescription bottle or syringe of medicine, and any mistakes made must be addressed appropriately in comparison to the damage they may cause.

Why Hire Hodes Milman

A pharmacy or medication error lawsuit involves highly specific laws and regulations that intersect between medical standards, business practices, and consumer protections. An experienced attorney from Hodes Milman is needed to navigate these overlapping areas of law.

You can speak with a pharmacy error lawyer from Hodes Milman by calling (949) 640-8222, or by filling out our online contact form to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We are here to help improve your future, as well as the safety standards of your community pharmacy.

Proudly Serving California Residents

Clients We've Helped

The Law Office of Hodes Milman represented us for a somewhat complicated medical malpractice lawsuit. My husband and I are extremely fortunate and grateful to have had Mr. Daniel Hodes as our attorney. His expertise and professionalism throughout the process quickly brought us peace of mind, especially during such a stressful time. Mr. Hodes was diligent with every detail pertaining to our case and we had the utmost confidence in his guidance. I highly recommend Mr. Daniel Hodes to anyone seeking exceptional legal representation as we are extremely satisfied with the outcome of his service.
- Melissa R.

My husband received bad medical care and as a result almost died. I was fortunate enough to be referred to Jeff Milman. Jeff was so easy to talk to and worked so hard to get us a settlement. He kept us informed every step of the way. It was so great to have someone who believed in us after what we went through. We are forever grateful for the work he did on our behalf and would highly recommend him to anyone in our situation.
-Cyndi F.

Ben Ikuta represented me in a case where the insurance companies put up a fight about it. Luckily, Ben navigated the waters like a seasoned veteran. He was both honest and direct with me, yet compassionate and empathetic to my situation. Ben kept me abreast of my case every step of the way, ensuring that I always had his support and answered all of my questions with candor and transparency. I'd confidently put any of my loved ones and friends in his company, trusting that they'd be in good hands. Thank you, Ben and the team!
-Julie S.

Notable Verdicts and Settlements by Hodes Milman

Pharmacy and medication error cases results by Hodes Milman include:

$4,000,000

For a woman placed into an irreversible coma by a discontinuation of antibiotic medication.

$850,000

For a woman who developed a neurological disease due to improper medication.

$500,000

For a 12-year-old child who suffered bowel obstruction caused by a medication error.