As we approach Christmas, people reliant on medication to manage their health conditions will be contacting their GP practices for repeat prescriptions before pharmacies reduce their opening hours for the festive season. Pharmacies will be inundated with prescriptions, and this inevitably increases the risk of medication mistakes being made. Whilst in most cases, the medication will be issued without any problems, any medication errors that occur can cause significant injury and loss.
It is estimated that there are around 237 million medication errors in the NHS in England every year, and between 2015 and 2020 NHS Resolution received 1,420 claims relating to errors in the medication process, costing the NHS £35 million in compensation payments.
The Medical Negligence Team at O’Donnell Solicitors has extensive experience assisting clients to recover compensation for the injury and loss that they have suffered because of a medication error.
Claims may arise from a chemist giving the wrong medication to a patient, giving the incorrect dose of medication to a patient, or failing to give a medication to a patient at all. In some cases, the GP or doctor issuing the prescription has failed to note an earlier allergic reaction or intolerance of the medication or has failed to consider potential interactions between drugs that have been prescribed.
The adverse effects of medication errors are usually short-lived, causing a short period of pain, suffering and loss of amenity and some out-of-pocket expenses. This may be suffering side effects of an incorrect drug or wrong dose, an allergic reaction, or withdrawal symptoms. In the most extreme cases, albeit rare, the adverse reaction can have long-term consequences or cause death.
If you or a loved one have suffered due to a medication error, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
If you would like to discuss your medication error compensation claim with a specialist clinical negligence solicitor, please email Kenneth.Lees@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk or telephone 01457 761 320 and a member of the team will contact you for a free, no obligation discussion.
