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Tampa Nursing Home Medication Errors Lawyer
Legal help when your loved one is injured by a medication mistake in Tampa, Florida
At MattLaw, we fight for the rights of nursing home residents who have been injured due to medication mistakes. We understand that when you place your loved one in a nursing home, you expect them to receive proper care, including the correct medications at the right dosages. Unfortunately, medication errors are alarmingly common in nursing homes and can have tragic consequences for elderly residents. These errors can lead to serious injuries, worsening medical conditions, and even fatalities. If your loved one has been harmed by a medication error in a Tampa nursing home, we’re here to help you take the legal action you need and hold the negligent facility accountable.
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- What are some common medication mistakes in Tampa nursing homes?
- How do medication errors affect Tampa nursing home residents?
- Why do medication errors happen in Tampa nursing homes?
- How can I tell if my loved one has suffered a medication error?
- How do your nursing home abuse attorneys hold nursing homes accountable for medication errors?
- What is the value of my Tampa nursing home medication error case?
- Why choose MattLaw for my Tampa nursing home medication error claim?
- Do you have a Tampa nursing home medication error lawyer near me?
What are some common medication mistakes in Tampa nursing homes?
Medication errors can happen when nursing home staff fail to administer, prescribe, or monitor a resident’s medications properly. These mistakes can happen for many reasons, including negligence, understaffing, or lack of proper training. The National Library of Medicine reports the findings of a survey involving medication errors:
23 (92%) sites entered 631 error reports for 2731 discrete error instances when weighted by the number of times the errors were repeated. 51 (8%) errors were classified as having a serious patient impact requiring monitoring/intervention or worse. The most common errors were dose omission (203, 32%), overdose (91, 14%), underdose (43, 7%), wrong patient (38, 6%), wrong product (38, 6%), and wrong strength (38, 6%). Errors most commonly occurred during medication administration (296, 47%) and were attributed to basic human error (402, 48%).
Some of the most common types of medication errors in nursing homes include the following:
- Staff may accidentally give a resident the wrong prescription, leading to harmful side effects or drug interactions.
- Too much – or too little – of a medication can have serious health effects, including overdose or ineffective treatment.
- When a doesn’t receive their medication as prescribed – missed or skipped doses – their condition can worsen, causing unnecessary pain or complications.
- Confusion among staff members can also result in a resident receiving another person’s medication, which can lead to dangerous side effects.
- Many elderly nursing home residents take multiple medications. If staff fail to check for harmful drug interactions, the combination of medications could cause serious health issues.
- Some medications are designed to be taken whole, and crushing them can alter their effectiveness or cause dangerous reactions.
- Certain medications have serious side effects or allergic reactions. If staff don't properly monitor residents after administering medication, dangerous reactions can go unnoticed.
How do medication errors affect Tampa nursing home residents?
Medication mistakes can lead to severe health complications and turnouts, including the following:
- Some medications can cause breathing difficulties if given improperly.
- Certain drugs, like blood thinners, should be carefully monitored to prevent life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Incorrect doses of medications for high blood pressure or heart disease can lead to heart attacks or strokes.
- Medication errors can worsen cognitive decline in elderly residents, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.
- In the most tragic cases, a medication error can be fatal, leading to a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family.
Because nursing home residents often have weakened immune systems and multiple health conditions, even a small medication mistake can have terrible consequences.
Why do medication errors happen in Tampa nursing homes?
Medication mistakes in nursing homes are often preventable. However, they continue to happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Many nursing homes don’t have enough trained staff members to properly administer and monitor medications. And, overworked caregivers are more likely to make mistakes.
- Administering medications correctly requires knowledge and attention to detail. If staff members aren’t properly trained, they may not follow correct procedures.
- Medication errors often happen because of miscommunication between doctors, nurses, and caregivers. Confusion about prescriptions, dosages, or administration times can lead to serious mistakes.
- Some medication errors happen simply because nursing home staff aren’t paying close enough attention. Rushed and distracted caregivers may forget to give medication to a resident or administer it incorrectly.
- Many Tampa nursing home residents see multiple doctors and take different prescriptions. If a nursing home fails to update a resident’s medication list, outdated or conflicting prescriptions can cause the resident harm.
- In some cases, nursing homes intentionally overmedicate residents to keep them sedated and easier to manage. This practice is known as chemical restraint and is illegal and very dangerous.
How can I tell if my loved one has suffered a medication error?
If your loved one lives in a nursing home and you suspect they have been harmed by a medication mistake, watch for these warning signs:
- Unexplained drowsiness or confusion
- Sudden changes in behavior or mood
- Frequent falls or dizziness
- Unexplained weight loss or poor appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe allergic reactions, like rashes or swelling
- Sudden decline in overall health
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately and request a full review of your loved one’s medication records.
How do your nursing home abuse attorneys hold nursing homes accountable for medication errors?
Nursing homes have a legal duty to provide proper medical care to their residents. When they fail to do so, they can be held responsible for the harm they cause. At MattLaw, we help families take legal action against negligent nursing homes by:
- Investigating how the medication error happened
- Reviewing medical records and prescriptions
- Interviewing staff and witnesses
- Identifying violations of nursing home regulations
- Filing a claim for compensation and damages
By pursuing legal action, we can ensure your loved one receives justice and prevent the same mistakes from happening to other residents.
What is the value of my Tampa nursing home medication error case?
If you believe your loved one suffered harm because of a nursing home medication mistake, your loved one may be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Costs of hospitalizations, additional treatment, and medication corrections
- Compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused by the error
- Relocation costs, if moving to a safer facility is necessary
- Funeral and burial expenses. If the medication error resulted in a fatality, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim.
Holding nursing homes accountable not only helps your family but also forces these facilities to improve their care, protecting other residents from similar harm.
Why choose MattLaw for my Tampa nursing home medication error claim?
Here at MattLaw, we have decades of experience representing victims of nursing home negligence. Our team understands the severe impact of medication errors, and we fight aggressively to hold nursing homes accountable. When you work with us, you can expect:
- Compassionate legal support, as we treat every family with the care and respect they deserve.
- We have successfully handled a variety of cases against negligent nursing homes throughout Florida.
- We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
- We provide dedicated advocacy and are committed to securing the best possible outcome for you and your loved one.
Do you have a Tampa nursing home medication error lawyer near me?
Yes, we have an office in Tampa located at 304 S Plant Ave, Tampa, FL 33606. You can schedule an in-person consultation or a virtual appointment with one of our attorneys to discuss your case.
Dedicated Tampa nursing home medication error lawyers working for you and your family
If you suspect your loved one has suffered from a medication error in a Tampa nursing home, don’t wait to take action. Medication mistakes can be life-threatening, and your loved one deserves justice. Call MattLaw today for a free consultation. We’re prepared to investigate your case, explain your legal options, and fight to hold the nursing home accountable. Remember, your loved one’s safety and well-being matter. Reach out to schedule a free consultation with one of our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyers now.