When you or a loved one seeks medical treatment, you trust that you will receive the best care possible, but you might wonder what to do if a medical professional makes a mistake.
When you receive the wrong dosage of any medication, you could experience several serious consequences. Taking the wrong dosage can be just as bad for you as taking the wrong medicine. Understanding your risks can help you prepare if you are the victim of a dosing error.
Failure to treat the issue
When a health professional makes a mistake during your treatment by prescribing or administering too much or too little medication, it may fail to treat the issue. These kinds of errors might go overlooked, leading to potential complications depending on the severity of the illness.
Unwanted side effects
Any medication you take has a risk of producing unwanted side effects, but when a doctor or nurse gives you the wrong dosage, these side effects might be worse and could include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Organ failure
- Confusion
When a medication dosing error causes your symptoms, a professional in medical malpractice can help you understand your options.
Wrongful death
Depending on the medication prescribed to you or your loved one, the incorrect dosage might result in wrongful death, either from a lethal overdose or complications related to your initial, improperly treated condition.
If a doctor’s handwriting or a pharmacist’s inattention leads to a dosing mistake for you or your loved one, you could receive damages through a medical malpractice suit.