When we visit a doctor or pick up a prescription from the pharmacy, we trust that the medication prescribed will help us heal—not harm us. Unfortunately, medication errors are one of the most common forms of medical malpractice in Florida, and they can have life-changing or even deadly consequences.
What Is a Medication Error?
A medication error occurs when a patient is given the wrong drug, the wrong dose, or instructions that are unclear or incorrect. These mistakes can happen at any stage of care:
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Doctor’s Office – prescribing the wrong medication or dosage, or failing to check for dangerous drug interactions.
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Pharmacy – filling the prescription incorrectly, mislabeling the drug, or dispensing the wrong amount.
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Hospital or Clinic – administering a drug to the wrong patient, or using improper IV or injection techniques.
Common Causes of Medication Errors
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Poor Communication between doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
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Illegible Prescriptions that can be misread.
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Failure to Review Medical History, such as allergies or other medications.
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Pharmacy Staffing Shortages leading to rushed or careless work.
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Confusing Drug Names that sound or look alike.
How Medication Errors Harm Patients
The consequences of a medication error can be devastating. Patients may suffer:
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Severe allergic reactions
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Organ damage
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Worsening of the condition that was supposed to be treated
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Overdose or underdose complications
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In the most tragic cases, wrongful death
Who May Be Liable for a Medication Error in Florida?
Under Florida law, several parties may be held accountable:
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Doctors who prescribe an inappropriate medication or dose.
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Pharmacists who misfill or mislabel prescriptions.
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Hospitals or Clinics that fail to have safety systems in place.
Florida’s medical malpractice laws (F.S. Chapter 766) require patients to prove negligence and causation. This often involves medical experts who can testify about how the error occurred and the harm it caused.
What to Do If You Suspect a Medication Error
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Seek Immediate Medical Help – Your health comes first.
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Save the Prescription and Medication – Keep bottles, labels, and instructions as evidence.
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Document Symptoms and Treatments – Write down what happened and when.
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Contact a Florida Medical Malpractice Attorney – An experienced lawyer can investigate and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Final Thoughts
Medication errors are preventable, yet they remain a major cause of injury and death in Florida. If you or a loved one has been harmed because of a prescription mistake, you have legal rights. Holding negligent doctors, pharmacists, or hospitals accountable not only helps you recover—it helps protect future patients from suffering the same fate.
Have you or someone you know been injured as a result of a medication error? Contact Florida Hospital and Medical Malpractice Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Miami Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at jp@yourattorneys.com or by text at (305) 929-8935.
