Prescription Error Negligence Claims

If you have received an incorrect medication prescription or a medication with faulty instructions, the result can be devastating. If you have suffered harm as a result, you may be entitled to prescription error claims.

When you are feeling unwell and in need of medical attention, a medication prescription by your GP, doctor or pharmacist should restore your health and get you back on track. We trust our healthcare professionals to provide the highest standard of care and, thankfully, they usually deliver nothing less. However, with over one billion prescriptions in England and Wales every year as well as increasing pressure on the country’s healthcare services, mistakes can and do happen.

Unfortunately, prescription error isn’t as simple as picking up the wrong item at an online grocery store. Prescription errors can result in an injury, illness or even death.

What is Prescription Error Negligence?

Prescription error is a term that describes mistakes made by medical professionals when prescribing or dispensing medication. Prescription errors can include:

• Prescribing the wrong medication;
• Prescribing the wrong medication dosage;
• Prescribing unnecessary medication due to misdiagnosis;
• Failing to warn patients about the side effects of a medication;
• Prescribing medication without regard for drug interactions and allergies;
• Wrongly advising a patient on how much medication to take and how frequently.

Dispensing errors may include:

• Incorrect medication labeling or using illegible handwriting;
• Dispending the wrong dosage;
• Failing to keep records of medications dispensed to a patient;
• Mixing up medications;
• Keeping patient prescriptions at the wrong temperature or failing to inform patients how to correctly store medicines;
• Failing to ensure the patient understands how a medication should be administered.

The impact of prescription errors can range from mild to life-threatening. If you believe you or a loved one has suffered harm as a result of a prescription error, you may be entitled to prescription error claims.

What are the Effects of Prescription Errors?

Prescription errors can adversely affect the health of a patient. For instance, if a doctor’s writing on medicine dosage is illegible, the patient can take an overdose. Prescription errors have also led to children receiving medication meant for adults. In some cases, GPs repeatedly prescribe particular medications for many years without determining whether the patient’s condition requires a repeat prescription. Sleeping tablets are an example here and repeated prescription without proper assessment can lead to physical injury.

At other times when a pharmacist dispenses the wrong medication or dosage by misreading a prescription, the patient may suffer mild, short-lived harm. However, there can still be far-reaching consequences. If you have been a victim of prescription or dispensing errors, you may be able to pursue medical negligence claims against your healthcare professional.

Making Prescription Error Claims

If you have been let down by a medical professional you trusted to administer the right prescription, making a prescription error claim can help you move on with life after what happened.

If the prescription error was made by a medical professional at an NHS facility, the NHS has a robust complaints system. If you are unhappy with the way your complaint is handled, you can sue the NHS for clinical error prescription.

Even if your medical care was managed by a private healthcare provider, you can still make a claim. All private healthcare providers are regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC) and Care Quality Commission which lays out a set code they must comply with. If they fail to conform to these standards, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

How Do I Start a Claim for Prescription Error?

If you think your healthcare professional has made mistakes while issuing your medicine prescription, get in touch with us today. When you contact us, we will offer you a free, no obligation consultation to discuss details of your case. The aim here is to establish that you have been a victim of medical negligence and suffered harm as a result.

We will obtain your medical records and make arrangements for an independent medical expert to determine the impact of your injury as well as its prognosis. If we believe you have a good chance of pursuing a claim, we will act on your behalf to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Am I Entitled to Prescription Error Claims?

If your GP, pharmacist or health professional has made a prescription error and you have suffered an illness or injury, or your condition has been made worse, you may be entitled to a prescription error compensation claim. While many prescription errors do not have adverse effects, for others the consequences can be devastating.

If you think you have suffered harm as a result of a prescription error, contact us today. Our solicitors will act on your behalf to establish whether you have valid grounds for a claim.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive for Prescription Error Claims?

Prescription error compensation claims are assessed on case by case basis. The amount of compensation you will receive will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries as well as the financial losses you have incurred as a result of the injuries.

If your claim for clinical negligence is successful, you will likely be awarded compensation for general damages and special damages.

General damages are compensation for the pain, suffering, difficulty or inability to work and loss of amenity as a result of the injuries caused by the prescription error.

Special damages compensate for the actual out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the prescription error. Under special damages, you could make compensation claims for medical expenses, cost of care, travel costs, and loss of earnings.

Our medical negligence solicitors will ensure you receive the maximum compensation amount you deserve as a result of the mistreatment you have endured.

How Much Time Do I Have to Make a Claim?

If you think you might have a claim for prescription error, it is important that you seek expert legal advice at the earliest opportunity. Generally, you have three years from the date of the incident to start a claim for medical negligence. However, the effects of the prescription error may not manifest until a later time; in this case, the three-year time limit begins from the date you became aware that your injury was a result of a prescription error.

No Win No Fee Prescription Error Claims

The vast majority of medical negligence claims we handle at Medical Negligence Direct are done on a No Win No Fee basis. This way, our solicitors make it possible for anyone in need to afford access to quality legal support and representation. The cost of instructing a private solicitor is massive, and can discourage those who have suffered negligent treatment from making a compensation claim.

A No Win No Fee agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) takes away the need to pay upfront solicitor fees. On the other hand, our solicitors shoulder the financial stress associated with making a medical negligence claim on your behalf. So, you can start a claim without worrying about the huge amounts you will be incurring in the end.

If your claim is successful, then a success fee – which is a percentage (0-25%) of your final compensation award – will be deducted. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay us a penny. You can trust us to assist with your wrong prescription claims against any liable medical professional – whether at the NHS or a private practice.

Frequently Asked Question about Prescription Error Negligence Claims

What are prescription errors?

Prescription errors refer to situations where a medical professional makes a mistake when issuing medication to a patient. This could be as a result of illegible writing, or administering the wrong course of treatment or medication.

What should I do if I receive the wrong prescription?

If you think your pharmacist or health professional has administered the wrong prescription, seek medical attention immediately. While receiving medical care, do not hesitate to get in touch with us so we can determine the impact of the error and whether you have valid grounds for a claim.

Can I sue my doctor for wrong prescription?

Yes. If your doctor prescribes an incorrect medication, there can be catastrophic consequences. If you have been a victim of injury due to wrong prescription, you can make a claim for medical negligence.