Needing someone to monitor and assist your elderly loved one with taking their medications is one of the many reasons that individuals choose to place their family members in nursing facilities. The vast majority of local nursing home residents take at least one medication, with many of them taking multiple and even high-risk medicines that can cause serious injuries if taken in error.
Medication errors in Pittsburgh nursing homes are unfortunately common and can result in significant harm or even death. If your loved one was injured by a medication error, contact a skilled nursing home negligence lawyer from Bordas & Bordas Attorneys, PLLC to learn how to seek compensation for the costs and impacts of the harm done to your loved one.
Medication errors can occur for a variety of reasons in Pittsburgh nursing homes, including:
Skilled nursing home facilities are required by federal and state laws to take actions to avoid harm to guests, including properly staffing facilities and ensuring staff are properly trained in the safe provision of medication to residents. Failing to take the actions necessary to avoid causing guest injury could result in liability for the facility. Most medication error claims are made against the facilities themselves, with the facility’s insurance covering neglectful actions by staff.
If your loved one has been the victim of a medication error, seek immediate medical attention, especially if they are exhibiting signs of over- or under-medication. Additionally, report concerns about their medications to administrators at the facility, and contact state authorities to document the situation.
An experienced Pittsburgh lawyer could help you understand the process of seeking compensation through a personal injury claim after your loved one has been injured due to a medication error in their nursing home. In Pennsylvania, personal injury and wrongful death claims resulting from abuse generally must be filed within two years. The type of compensation that may be sought through the claim could include economic damages for financial losses, such as medical expenses or relocation to a different nursing facility, as well as non-economic damages for the psychological impacts of the injury, including pain and suffering or loss of quality of life.
Medication errors are a significant cause of negligence-based injuries and deaths in nursing homes. These errors are almost always preventable, and when they occur, facilities should be held accountable. Let us help you understand your options for seeking compensation on behalf of a loved one injured by medication errors in Pittsburgh nursing homes. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
