When it comes to California medical malpractice cases, medication errors are among the more commonplace underlying causes for this type of negligence. Each year, Californians face a decline in their health or even death as a result of medication errors.
The rate and incidence of medication errors
A 2017 study published in the well-regarded journal Clinical Toxicology revealed that approximately 1.5 million medication errors occur in the United States annually. According to the study, that breaks down to a medical error once every 21 seconds and accounts for a significant number of medical malpractice claims.
The study went on to discuss the increase in medication errors in more recent times. Between 2000 and 2021, the rate of medication error doubled.
The research study reached a difficult conclusion, an alarming one to be sure. The study concluded that the fault for medication error belonged to both physicians and pharmacists alike. Thus, even if a medication is prescribed properly in the first instance, the drug may end up improperly dispensed.
Wrong dosage and wrong medication
The two most common types of medication errors are a prescription with an inappropriate dosage and the wrong medication entirely. These also represent the riskiest types of medication error, mistakes that are most apt to result in a patient suffering serious and even fatal injury.
If you been injured as a result of a medication error, or if you’ve lost a family member as a result of this type of medical malpractice, you best protect your vital legal interests by retaining experienced legal representation. California medical malpractice attorneys typically schedule no-cost initial consultations with prospective clients.