{"id":1861,"date":"2022-12-30T14:58:09","date_gmt":"2022-12-30T14:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/?page_id=1861"},"modified":"2023-08-31T15:03:32","modified_gmt":"2023-08-31T15:03:32","slug":"medical-neglect-medication-errors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/medical-neglect-medication-errors\/","title":{"rendered":"Kansas City Medication Error Lawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numerous Missouri nursing home residents take multiple medications daily. <\/span><b>Blood thinners<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>blood pressure medication<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>heart medications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>insulin<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>laxatives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>antipsychotics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>pain medication<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are among the most frequently prescribed medications for nursing home residents. In the event of a medication error, the patient may sustain severe injuries or death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your loved one has been injured due to a medication error in a nursing home, our qualified Kansas City medication error lawyer is here to assist you. In Kansas and Missouri, Ricket Law Firm handles nursing home abuse and neglect cases. Contact our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legal team<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by completing our online contact form or by calling us.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Do I Need a Medication Error Lawyer in Missouri?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nursing home medication errors can occur to anyone, and it is not always simple to determine who is responsible for the nursing home neglect and where the error occurred. Our skilled Kansas City medication error lawyer can assist you with the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Determine the responsible parties under medical malpractice law<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Determine the culpability of those who failed to act following applicable medication standards, resulting in the medication error<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gather evidence of the medical error that caused damages<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">File a lawsuit for medical malpractice or elder abuse<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess the extent and value of the damages<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If necessary, negotiate with insurance companies<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ricket Law Firm&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/practice-and-results\/\">personal injury attorneys<\/a> have years of experience handling medication error lawsuits. If you or a loved one has been the victim of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/nursing-home-abuse-lawsuit\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nursing home abuse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or negligence resulting in a medication error, please contact our Missouri law firm immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a Medication Error?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication errors are defined by the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention as <\/span><b>&#8220;any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of a healthcare professional, patient, or consumer.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8221; Among the criteria for a medication error are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It must have been possible to avoid<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It must have caused the patient harm<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The medication must have been in the possession of a healthcare provider, patient, or consumer<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The four main categories of medication errors are the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Knowledge-Based Errors<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to a lack of familiarity, knowledge-based medication errors occur when a healthcare provider prescribes, dispenses, or administers the incorrect dose. For instance, a physician may commit a knowledge-based error when prescribing penicillin without first determining whether the patient is allergic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Rule-Based Errors<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a medical provider misapplies rules when administering, prescribing, or dispensing drugs to a patient, the error may be categorized as rule-based. For instance, an error may occur if the caregiver injects medication into the lateral thigh rather than the buttock.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Memory-Based Errors<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These errors occur when a healthcare provider forgets an essential patient or medication detail. This may occur if, for example, a medical professional forgets that a patient is allergic to penicillin and administers the antibiotic anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Action-Based Errors<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Action-based errors occur when a medical professional unintentionally performs an action. A doctor writing acetazolamide on a prescription when they intended to write acetohexamide is one example.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Are the Most Common Medication Errors in Nursing Homes?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are numerous types of medication errors, but the following are among the most prevalent in nursing homes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inappropriate Crushing or Slicing of Medicines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insufficient Fluids With Medicines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Food or Antacids With Medication-Related Problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inappropriately Shaking or Blending Medicines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorrect Medication Administration With Enteral Nutritional Formulas (ENFs)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inappropriately Applying Eye Drops<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improper Sublingual Tablet Administration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor Elder Medication Management<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription Drug Borrowing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorrect Distribution of Medication to Seniors<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Are the Different Causes of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nursing homes are accountable for the well-being of their staff. They are responsible for <\/span><b>overseeing and providing accurate medication distribution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>supervising employees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>monitoring lab work for errors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Unfortunately, many employees are supervised improperly on the job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other factors, such as <\/span><b>poor hiring practices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>organizational errors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can increase the risk of medication errors in the elderly. These are some of the most frequent causes of medication errors in nursing homes:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Misunderstanding<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor handwriting on prescriptions, confusion with similar medications, and errors in dosing units may lead to improper medication management by staff.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Insufficient Medical History<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients in nursing homes must have an up-to-date medical history. If the staff lacks a complete medical history, they may cause harm to a patient with certain allergies or other preventable complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Adverse Side Effects<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numerous medications have undesirable side effects. Doctors are responsible for weighing the pros and cons and prescribing a patient-safe medication. A patient may experience adverse side effects if he or she combines certain medications. Nursing staff need to comprehend the effects of mixing a patient&#8217;s prescriptions to avoid catastrophic outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Inappropriate Dosage<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nursing staff must administer medications correctly. They can use medication charts and organize their pharmacy to separate pills with similar appearances to prevent confusion and harm. Unfortunately, many nursing homes lack the appropriate safety protocols to ensure accurate dosages.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Are the Possible Complications of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When medication errors occur in nursing homes, the best-case scenario is when patients or residents experience no adverse effects but do not receive relief from the condition the drug is intended to treat. When this medical mistake occurs in nursing homes, however, residents frequently experience adverse side effects such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Condition Deterioration<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The condition of a nursing home resident or patient may worsen after receiving the incorrect medication. In such situations, the patient&#8217;s healthcare team and nursing staff frequently have limited time to rectify the error before more serious complications arise.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Serious Complications<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>blood clot<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>extreme fatigue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>vomiting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>pain<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>mental deterioration<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, among others, can result from prescribing an inappropriate drug or administering it incorrectly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Interdrug Reactions<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Food, dietary supplements, and other drugs can affect the absorption and efficacy of the prescribed medication. Even if the doctor prescribed the correct medication, failure to mitigate potential drug interactions (drug-to-food or beverage, drug-to-drug, and drug-to-dietary supplement interactions) can result in unexpected side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Death<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the United States, medication errors are the third leading cause of death. At-risk groups, including older adults, immunocompromised patients, and young children, are most susceptible to medication error-related fatalities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Should I Do If I Suspect a Nursing Home Medication Error?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, <\/span><b>seek immediate medical care<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for your loved one. Then, <\/span><b>submit an official complaint<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the nursing home&#8217;s administration. You may also wish to <\/span><b>file a nursing home complaint with state offices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, depending on the severity of the situation. <\/span><b>Find alternative living arrangements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as soon as possible if you believe your loved one is in danger or you do not trust their nursing home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abuse and neglect in nursing homes could constitute a criminal offense. Additionally, your family member may have a civil claim against the nursing home. Therefore, it is prudent to consult with our knowledgeable Kansas City medication error lawyer. Medication errors may be difficult to establish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sooner we collect medical records and nursing home records, the more likely we are to construct a compelling case for negligence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who Can Be Held Legally Liable for the Nursing Home Medication Error?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any member of the medical team may be held liable for nursing home medical malpractice. Our personal injury attorney can assist in holding negligent parties accountable, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prescribing physician<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nurse or nursing home employee who administered an incorrect dosage or medication<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nurse or nursing home employee who administered medication incorrectly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pharmacist who administered the wrong medication or mislabeled the packaging<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other medical professionals, such as anesthesiologists, contributed to medication errors<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Are the Elements of Negligence in a Nursing Home Medication Error Claim?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step in pursuing a nursing home medication error claim is to transport your loved one to a trusted medical provider immediately. Their health and safety take precedence. In addition, your doctor can begin documenting the potential causes of your loved one&#8217;s injury, which we at Ricket Law Firm can use as evidence during the claims process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our medical malpractice lawyer will investigate whether or not your case qualifies for a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Since state laws vary, you will need to consult with our personal injury attorney who is familiar with the laws of your state to determine whether your case has a viable claim in your local court system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a medical negligence claim, our Kansas City medication error lawyer must demonstrate the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That your loved one suffered injuries<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These injuries led to monetary losses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nursing home was responsible for the injuries to your loved one<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your loved one was injured due to the nursing home&#8217;s breach of duty<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our law office at <a href=\"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/\">Ricket Law Firm<\/a> will not simply provide legal advice but will investigate the surrounding circumstances of the malpractice case and collect the necessary evidence to prove the qualifying factors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Are the Claimable Damages Available for Nursing Home Medication Error Claim?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether the medication errors resulted in minor side effects or catastrophic injuries, negligent parties can be held liable for the resulting damages. These damages may consist of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Medical Expenses<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Impairment<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pain and Suffering<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wrongful Death<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Do Nursing Home Medication Errors Need to Be Acknowledged?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In nursing homes, medication mistakes frequently occur. However, nursing homes should never disregard medication errors. There are three reasons why each medication error in a nursing home must be acknowledged.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Patient Wellness<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A medication error has the potential to put the patient&#8217;s life in jeopardy. The staff must respond to all medication errors to rectify or mitigate any patient harm.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Error Reporting or Documentation<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A medication error must be recorded in the records of the nursing home. This is to ensure that the nursing home continues to operate at an acceptable level following state and federal regulations. Investigators will cite nursing homes with too many medication errors (greater than 5 percent).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Medical Malpractice<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication errors must be acknowledged to determine whether they resulted from gross employee negligence or improper handling. If so, the nursing home is liable for medical malpractice, and the negligent employee should be disciplined or fired.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the Statute of Limitations for Medication Error Lawsuit in Missouri?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The statute of limitations for filing a medication error lawsuit in Missouri is short. In most instances, a medication error claim must be filed within <\/span><b>two years of the incident date<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If the medication error involved a foreign object left in the body, the lawsuit must be filed within <\/span><b>two years of the object&#8217;s discovery<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a loved one dies due to a medication error, Missouri law stipulates that a <\/span><b>wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within three years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Within ninety days of filing a medication error lawsuit in Missouri, the plaintiff must submit an expert affidavit stating that a written opinion regarding the defendant&#8217;s negligence has been obtained from a legally qualified healthcare provider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The expert must conclude that the defendant failed to exercise the level of care that a reasonably careful healthcare provider would have in similar circumstances and that this failure directly caused or directly contributed to the damages claimed in the petition.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Can Our Seasoned Kansas City Medication Error Lawyer Help?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication error cases are frequently difficult to resolve. Because medical malpractice cases frequently have strict deadlines, you should file your claim immediately. Hiring our competent Kansas City medication error lawyer can assist you in putting things in order.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These cases can become extraordinarily intricate, but our proficient personal injury lawyer can get to the heart of the matter by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obtaining all relevant evidence about the medication error<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing the victim with high-quality medical care<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having an expert medical witness review your medical records<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identifying who was at fault in the situation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calculating the damages you and your loved one have suffered as a result of the error<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Negotiating compensation with all parties on your behalf<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If necessary, preparing for a trial<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact Our Nursing Home Neglect Law Firm Today!<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immediately contact a Kansas City medication error lawyer at the Ricket Law Firm if a medication error caused your loved one significant harm. Our legal expertise enables us to ensure the safety of your loved one while holding the nursing home accountable for its actions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ricket Law Firm&#8217;s legal team <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/kansas-city\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">represents nursing home abuse and neglect victims<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at every crucial stage of filing a claim for financial compensation. Contact our team of legal experts today.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Numerous Missouri nursing home residents take multiple medications daily. Blood thinners, blood pressure medication, heart medications, insulin, laxatives, antipsychotics, and pain medication are among the most frequently prescribed medications for nursing home residents. In the event of a medication error, the patient may sustain severe injuries or death. If your loved one has been injured [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1862,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1861"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1861"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1861\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2201,"href":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1861\/revisions\/2201"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ricketlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}