Prescription medications offer a lifeline for patients with illnesses, infections, or chronic conditions. But they must be the right medicine in the right dosages, or else patients can suffer worse harm than if they hadn’t taken the drugs.
If you were harmed because of a medication mistake, you may have a malpractice claim under New Mexico law. Coates & Johnson can help you protect your rights and pursue all avenues for recovering compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Las Cruces medical malpractice lawyer to get started with your case.
Coates & Johnson is the Go-To Firm for Las Cruces Medication Error Cases
Medication errors are among the most common forms of medical malpractice. That doesn’t mean that every personal injury firm is equipped to handle them. You deserve representation from a law office dedicated to medical malpractice claims.
Coates & Johnson has become a leader in the malpractice field because:
- Our practice is dedicated exclusively to medical malpractice cases.
- We’ve handled thousands upon thousands of claims involving medical negligence, like medication mistakes.
- Our team of elite trial attorneys includes a lawyer with a J.D. and an M.D., giving us an edge in both law and medicine.
- Our partners direct every case that comes through our doors.
- We offer contingency fee arrangements in all medical malpractice cases.
If you believe a medication mistake harmed you or a loved one, call us now for help understanding your options. Our trusted Las Cruces medication errors lawyers offer free case reviews.
Why Hire an Attorney for a Medication Error Case In Las Cruces?
Medication error claims are often more complicated than they appear. Hospitals and healthcare providers frequently argue that the patient’s injury was an unavoidable reaction to medication rather than the result of negligence.
An experienced Las Cruces medication error attorney can help determine whether this is true or just an institution’s attempt to minimize its liability for an injury it caused.
A lawyer can assist with your claim by:
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding the medication error
- Identifying every healthcare provider or institution involved in the error
- Consulting medical experts to determine whether providers acted inappropriately in administering or prescribing drugs
- Assessing your medical records, pharmacy records, and prescription documentation for mistakes
- Calculating the full range of your losses — personal and financial, past and future
- Negotiating and litigating your claim with an eye toward a full compensation recovery
Having a lawyer increases your odds of a successful claim. Reach out to our attorneys today to learn more about how a top-rated medication errors lawyer in Las Cruces can assist you.
What Are Medication Errors?
Medication errors occur when healthcare providers fail to properly prescribe, prepare, dispense, or administer medications. Certain medications are extremely potent and must be carefully dosed and monitored to avoid dangerous side effects.
To be sure, some adverse drug reactions are unavoidable. However, many medication-related injuries occur because medical providers fail to follow accepted medical standards, including:
- Right Patient – giving medication to the correct person
- Right Drug – Ensuring it’s the correct medication
- Right Dose – Confirming the appropriate amount
- Right Route – Administering via the correct method (oral, IV, IM, etc.)
- Right Time – Giving at the prescribed time/frequency
- Right Documentation – Properly recording administration
- Right Reason – Understanding why the patient is receiving this medication
- Right Response – Monitoring for expected therapeutic effect and adverse reactions
Failing to heed these “rights” can lead to overdoses, allergic responses, and critical medication not being given when needed. It can also trigger kidney failure, loss of hearing, death, and much more. Even a minor medication mistake can have serious consequences.
Who Is Responsible for Committing a Medication Error In Las Cruces?
These errors can occur at multiple points in the medication process and involve multiple healthcare professionals. Under New Mexico law, your malpractice case may include several defendants, including:
- Physicians who prescribed the wrong medication or dosage
- Nurses who improperly administered medication
- Pharmacists who dispensed incorrect prescriptions
- Hospitals that failed to implement proper medication safety protocols
- Healthcare facilities that allowed unsafe medication practices
Each of these parties can be liable for their share of negligence. Identifying every party helps uncover additional compensation sources and improves your ability to recover full compensation for your injuries.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Las Cruces Medication Error?
In New Mexico, damages in a medication error case typically fall into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate for the measurable financial losses caused by the medication error. These losses often include:
- Medical expenses related to the medication injury
- Hospital stays and additional treatment are required to correct the error
- Rehabilitation or long-term medical care
- Prescription medications needed to address complications
- Lost wages during recovery
- Loss of future earning capacity if the injury affects the ability to work
Non-economic damages address the personal and emotional harm caused by the medication error. While these losses do not come with a specific bill or receipt, they can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life. These damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety or depression
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Reduced enjoyment of life
In the most serious cases, medication errors can result in fatal complications, where funeral expenses and loss of companionship/support may be recoverable. At Coates & Johnson, our attorneys work closely with medical experts and financial professionals to calculate the full value of your claim and pursue compensation that reflects the true impact of the harm you have suffered.
Speak With a Las Cruces Medication Errors Lawyer Today
Patients trust healthcare providers to prescribe and administer medications safely. When they don’t, they can be held liable for the injuries that result.
Coates & Johnson has decades of experience handling medication mistake claims. We can help you discover what went wrong in your case (and when) and who is liable for the complications. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an esteemed Las Cruces medication errors lawyer and learn more about your legal options.