Antibiotics, pain medication, blood pressure medication, labor-inducing medications, and other types of medications help reduce complications and pain during pregnancy and birth. However, when medication is used incorrectly, it can cause substantial harm to a pregnant woman or her baby.
Whether caused by a clerical error, miscommunication, dosage miscalculation, or carelessness, medication errors can have catastrophic effects. In some cases, babies are left with life-changing birth injuries or maternal injuries.
Errors in the Prescription and Administration of Medication During Pregnancy and Birth
Doctors must use extra caution when prescribing medications to pregnant women. Certain medications can be harmful to a developing baby. For example, certain acne medications can cause heart and brain deformities or even fetal death. If a doctor prescribes a medication that is known to be dangerous for pregnant women, the doctor may be liable for any birth injuries or other harm that results from the medication.
Birth injuries and maternal injuries may also occur because of medication that was prescribed during the birth process. When labor is not progressing normally, a doctor may administer medication such as Cytotec or Pitocin to speed up labor. These medications can be helpful in certain situations, but an improper dose of labor-inducing medication can lead to uterine rupture, amniotic fluid embolism, and birth defects.
Mix-ups at the pharmacy can lead to medication errors. Something as simple as a medication having a similar name to another medication can lead to severe consequences. Mistakes involving these so-called “sound-alike medications” are thought to cause between 6.2 and 14.7 percent of all medication errors.
Medication errors may also be caused by prescribing too much or too little medication. For example, a doctor may request 0.10 milligrams of medication, but a nurse interprets it as 10 milligrams. Poor handwriting, miscommunication, and errors in entering information into a patient’s chart can lead to problems that threaten the health of the mother and the baby.
Legal Options After a Medication Error
If a medication error harmed you, your loved one, or your child, you may be able to take legal action and hold the at-fault party responsible. You may also be entitled to financial compensation for damages such as:
- Additional medical bills caused by the medication mistake
- Ongoing and future medical needs resulting from the mistake
- Funeral and burial costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages caused by missed work
- Loss of society and loss of consortium
Contact a Chicago Medication Error Lawyer
At Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd., we provide dependable legal guidance to individuals harmed by medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. If you or your baby suffered medical complications because of a medication error, contact our office today for help. Call our Cook County birth injury attorneys at 312-462-4200 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.14285