Michigan Pharmacy Negligence Lawyers: Holding Pharmacists Accountable for Medication Errors
If you or someone you love suffered harm because a pharmacist made a mistake, a pharmacy malpractice lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. represents Michigan families who’ve been hurt by pharmacy mistakes that should have been prevented.
Understanding Pharmacy Negligence in Michigan
Pharmacy negligence occurs when a pharmacist or pharmacy technician doesn’t meet the standard of care that their profession demands. Unlike simple mistakes that don’t hurt anyone, negligence causes real harm to patients.
Pharmacists have to verify prescriptions, check for drug interactions, make sure dosing is right, and counsel patients on medication use. If they skip a step, ignore safety protocols, or make a mindless mistake, people get hurt.
Common Causes of Medication Errors
Most pharmacy malpractice lawyers near you work on cases that involve avoidable mistakes. One of the most common mistakes is giving patients the wrong meds. Dosage errors are another big mistake, like when the bottle says 10 mg, but the pharmacist fills it with 100 mg pills. Other common mistakes are unclear labels and failing to catch dangerous drug interactions.
When Negligence Becomes Malpractice
You’ve got to have four things for a valid claim: First, that the pharmacist owed you a duty of care; second, that they breached that duty through negligence; third, that you suffered actual harm; and fourth, that the breach directly caused your harm.
The pharmaceutical malpractice attorneys at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. get the evidence to prove all four to win your case.
Types of Pharmacy Malpractice Cases We Handle
We’ve dealt with all kinds of pharmacy errors, and we spot patterns right away.
Wrong Dosage or Prescription
Dispensing errors are the number one mistake that a pharmacy error lawyer comes across. Sometimes patients get someone else’s meds, or the pharmacist gets two brand names confused, like Celebrex and Celexa. They sound the same, but they’re for two totally different problems.
Dosage mistakes happen when a pharmacist reads the prescription wrong or puts the wrong info into the computer. Something as tiny as a decimal point put in the wrong place can be really dangerous.
Failure to Warn About Drug Interactions
Pharmacists need to check your medication history and check for any alerts from the computer to make sure you’re not mixing meds that shouldn’t go together. If they don’t do their job right, it can cost you.
For example, combining blood thinners with certain antibiotics can cause internal bleeding, and taking antidepressants with pain medications can cause something called serotonin syndrome. Pharmacists need to pay attention and warn patients about those kinds of risks.
Mislabeling Medications
When pharmacists use the wrong labels, leave off important warnings, or give instructions that aren’t clear, they put their patients in danger, especially if the patient’s a child. Parents need clear instructions about how to give meds to their kids.
How Our Michigan Pharmacy Lawyers Can Help
A good pharmacy malpractice attorney needs to have specialized knowledge of medical standards and pharmaceutical standards, too. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. has decades of experience investigating these complex claims.
Investigating Pharmacy Records
These days, pharmacies have to keep detailed records of every prescription they fill, every drug interaction check that’s been performed, and every patient consultation that’s been done. We get these records and study them carefully to find any evidence of negligence.
Computer logs from the pharmacy will show whether the pharmacist reviewed drug interaction warnings or not. We look at the pharmacy’s staffing levels, training programs, and safety protocols, too.
Working with Medical Experts
You’ve got to have testimony from qualified experts if you want to win a Michigan pharmacy law case. We work with experienced pharmacists who can explain how the standard of care was breached.
We work with medical experts, too, who can document your injuries and show how they were caused directly by pharmacy negligence and that you ended up needing extensive medical treatment.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation
We fight for full compensation that covers all your losses, including emergency treatment and, in some cases, long-term care. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. documents every bill and calculates any future expenses.
We go after lost wages from work, too, as well as compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life. When cases involve reckless conduct, we might seek punitive damages for you as well.
Legal Rights Under Michigan Pharmacy Law
Our Detroit emergency room error lawyer team uses Michigan’s high professional standards to prove negligence in medication cases.
You don’t have a lot of time to file a lawsuit under Michigan’s statute of limitations. If you wait too long, you won’t get compensated. Plus, you’ve got to make a notice of intent before filing a suit.
On top of all that, you need expert testimony. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. works with top experts who provide credible testimony.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. knows Michigan pharmacy law and how to hold negligent pharmacies accountable to get you compensation.
Contact us for a free consult. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Call us now at 1-866-MICH-LAW. We’re available 24/7.
FAQs About Pharmacy Negligence Cases
How do I know if my pharmacy made a mistake?
Watch for unexpected side effects, medications that look different than usual, or worsening symptoms. Compare your prescription bottle to the prescription your doctor wrote. If anything’s off, call your doctor right away.
Can I sue both the pharmacist and the pharmacy?
Yes. Michigan pharmacies are responsible for their employees’ actions.
What compensation can I receive for a pharmacy error?
Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the costs of permanent disability, not to mention funeral costs and loss of companionship in wrongful death cases.
Do I need to prove the pharmacist intended to harm me?
Just negligence, which means the pharmacist failed to exercise reasonable care that other competent pharmacists would have shown.
Will my case go to trial?
Most pharmacy malpractice cases settle, since insurance companies tend to negotiate when there’s strong evidence, but we always prepare for trial just in case.
