In Rhode Island when someone you love has been injured due to a pharmacy error, you have so many questions swimming through your head: What can I do? Are they going to get better?
And then there’s the one that leads you here: How did this happen?
Unfortunately, pharmacy errors occur here in Rhode Island. While many of these are caught before they do serious harm, there have been cases that result in overdose, liver toxicity, birth injuries, or even early death.
The people who work in Rhode Island Pharmacies have less training than doctors. Although their position requires less skill, they still must pay attention to every detail. Failure to provide that attention can lead to serious medical problems.
A few examples of PHARMACY / PHARMACIST NEGLIGENCE are
- Failure to warn of possible adverse reactions
- Providing incorrect instructions with medication
- Providing the wrong dosage
- Providing the wrong medication
- Covering up warning labels with medication instructions
- Filling multiple prescriptions from multiple doctors without advising the patient of drug interaction issues
Rhode Islander’s who have been injured by a pharmacist’s negligence can seek compensation against the pharmacy by filing a personal injury claim. Cases of Rhode Island Medication Errors are similar to other personal injury cases in that the victim may be compensated in two ways-for financial costs and for suffering.
Here are some ways a victim may be awarded damages for a pharmacy error injury:
- Any medical costs incurred because of your injury, including hospitalization, rehabilitation, surgery, assistance devices (such as a cane, wheelchair, or oxygen tank), or recuperative care.
- Lost wages. Many people are forced to miss weeks of work while they recover from a medication mistake, resulting in high bills, missed payments, and late fees.
- Damages for physical pain and impairment. If a medication error resulted in permanent or painful side effects, such as loss of a limb, ability to speak, or disfigurement, you may be awarded a higher settlement for your suffering.
- Mental anguish. If a jury finds that you suffered emotional trauma as well as physical effects, there are separate damages you may be eligible for.
- Wrongful death. If you are seeking justice on behalf of a departed loved one, there are special rules in place to hold the negligent party responsible to ensure the mistake does not happen again.
If you have been a victim of a Rhode Island Medication Error or Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Error, please contact the experienced and dedicated lawyers of Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. Our attorneys have many years of experience handling these types of cases and we can help you.
Call now for your free consultation.
Pharmacist negligence or malpractice occurs when a pharmacist fails to meet the standard of care when dispensing medications. This can include dispensing the wrong drug, providing incorrect dosages, failing to provide necessary information, failing to recognize potential drug interactions, or any other negligent action that results in harm.
When you or someone you love suffers harm due to a pharmacist’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your damages. Talking to an experienced Providence pharmacist malpractice lawyer is the best way to learn about your rights.
Not really. Pharmacist negligence occurs when a pharmacist—someone who dispenses medications—acts negligently. Pharmaceutical negligence occurs when a pharmaceutical company—the manufacturer of medications—produces a medicine that is harmful, defective, or tainted.
Pharmacists are medical professionals. Legal actions against them are a type of medical malpractice claim. Pharmaceutical companies are corporations. Legal actions against them are, typically, product liability claims.
If you suspect you have been the victim of pharmacist negligence in Rhode Island, it is important that you preserve all evidence. Keep any leftover prescription, medication packaging, receipts, and all written or printed communication and information from the pharmacy. These will all be useful when reviewing your claim.
If your reaction is severe or you suspect lasting or serious damage from the medication you have been dispensed, it may be necessary to seek medical attention. Document these interactions as well. Request medical records after each appointment to ensure you have a comprehensive review of the damage caused by the error.
Keeping additional documentation can be useful as well. Things like dates, times, and the names of prescribing physicians may be needed, along with any details you remember about your experiences. These, along with documentation concerning the prescription can help establish your right to seek compensation for your damages.
When you suspect you are the victim of pharmacist negligence and that negligence will lead to physical, financial, and emotional consequences, it is a good idea to talk to an attorney. During your free initial consultation, present the information and documentation you have gathered to help your pharmacist negligence lawyer determine how best to proceed with your case.
Proving pharmacist negligence may require several key pieces of evidence, including:
- Prescription Records
- Medical Records
- Communication Records
Showing that a pharmacist is liable for injuries caused by negligence or error may require working with medical experts who review records to establish when and how the standard of care was violated. These same experts may be needed to provide expert witness testimony during a case and at trial.
Gathering the evidence needed to prove pharmacist negligence requires experience, patience, and time. The Providence pharmacist malpractice lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell have been helping victims of medical negligence for nearly 50 years. We have the background, tenacity, and resources needed to help you get the fair and full compensation you are due.
Every case is unique but, in Rhode Island, you may be able to hold both an individual pharmacist and the company they work for accountable for injuries sustained due to incorrect dosage or medication, poor or missing instructions, and other examples of pharmacist negligence. Depending on the circumstances, a pharmacy may be held liable for poor training protocols, improper supervision, code violations, or systemic issues that may have contributed to your injury.
At Mandell, Boisclar & Mandell, our Rhode Island pharmacist negligence attorneys take the time necessary to uncover all contributing factors. We will carefully evaluate records, talk to witnesses, review video evidence, and take any additional steps needed to establish a full view of the situation. We work to ensure that each liable party—individual, corporate, or otherwise—is held accountable for their actions.
The timeline for resolving a pharmacist negligence case can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the case and whether it can be resolved before a trial. While each case is different, some pharmacy negligence cases are resolved in less than a year, while others may take one or more years to conclude. Having a law firm on your side that is prepared for all potential turns helps to ensure that, no matter how long your case takes, you are made aware of all developments and have a direct say in the direction it goes.
The pharmacist negligence lawyers at our firm have a long and proud history of securing large settlements and verdicts for victims of serious injury. We do everything possible to wrap cases up quickly and conveniently, but never at the expense of justice. We are prepared to take viable claims as far as needed—even to trial—to fight for fair compensation for our clients.
When you suffer a serious injury due to pharmacy negligence, it is best to have an experienced lawyer on your side. Your attorney will gather evidence, work with medical experts to uncover signs of negligence, build a solid case on your behalf, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court. Without an attorney on your side, you will have to do all of these things yourself—or worse, simply let the injustice of your injury pass without taking action.
Working with a pharmacy negligence lawyer helps to preserve your rights and protect your best interests. However, not all law firms are equally qualified to handle these claims. At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, our team of attorneys has decades of experience handling complex medical malpractice claims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We are here to help. If you or a loved one needs a pharmacist negligence lawyer, reach out today for a complimentary case review, and let us help you determine the best way to seek the compensation you deserve.
