Tampa Nursing Home Medication Error Lawyer

One of the most basic responsibilities of any Florida nursing home or long-term care facility is to ensure residents receive their prescribed medications on time each day. Yet many facilities fail to perform this simple task. And a medication error can lead to serious–even fatal–complications.

If you or someone that you love has been injured in this way, a qualified Tampa nursing home medications error lawyer can assist you in seeking compensation from the negligent facility. At Florin Law we represent victims of nursing home neglect and negligence. Florida law requires all nursing homes to provide a basic level of competent medical care. We can help you take action when your facility falls below that standard and endangers a resident’s life.

How Do Medication Errors Happen?

Everyone makes mistakes in their jobs. And while you may think there is no room for human error when it comes to administering medication, the reality is that even Florida regulations only require facilities to keep their errors below a certain “minimum percentage.” But that is cold comfort to the victims whose medication errors are deemed acceptable.

So how do medication errors occur in the first place? There are many reasons. Here are just a few of the more common ones:

• giving the wrong medication, e.g., the staff mixes up medications intended for different patients;
• giving a resident a medication they have not been prescribed;
• giving an expired medication;
• not giving the medication at all, i.e., ignoring a doctor’s orders;
• giving an incorrect dosage of a medication, either too high or too low;
• giving medication at the wrong time or date;
• using an incorrect technique to administer the medication, such as splitting a pill that should not be cut beforehand;
• not following additional instructions for administering the medication, such as making sure the resident takes it with food or water;
• failing to prepare the medication correctly, e.g., not shaking or mixing it as directed.

In some cases, medication errors are the result of negligence on the part of the nursing staff in failing to follow a doctor’s orders. But the error may also be on the part of the doctor or even the pharmacist who was responsible for filling the prescription. That is why it is essential to work with an attorney who is experienced with both nursing home negligence and medical malpractice cases, as these issues often intersect. There may be multiple parties at-fault who are financially liable for any injuries sustained by the resident.

Don’t Delay, Contact Florin Gray

Florida law permits residents affected by medication errors to seek financial damages from the negligent parties. This includes compensation for any additional medical bills, additional rehabilitation and therapy, and the resident’s ongoing pain and suffering. An experienced Tampa nursing home medication error lawyer can review your specific case and give you tailored advice on what compensation you might expect.

So if you need to speak with an attorney right away, contact Florin Gray to schedule a free consultation.