If a hospital in Harrisburg gives you the wrong medication dosage, you can take legal action. You can recover costs, protect your health, and hold the medical staff accountable for your damages. At Marzella & Associates, our proactive medication error injury lawyers in Harrisburg can help you investigate such errors and malpractice, secure critical evidence, and pursue compensation. We’ll handle the legal aspects so you can focus on treatment and recovery.
What to Do After Getting the Wrong Medication Dose
Time is critical when a dosage error occurs. Ideally, you should:
- Document the exact medication, intended dose, and what was administered
- Request that the hospital record the incident in your medical chart and retain all pharmacy and nursing logs
- Note any symptoms that develop
- Keep a detailed timeline, including the staff involved and any verbal explanations provided
How Common Are Medication Errors in Hospitals?
Medication errors are a persistent problem in Pennsylvania. Hospitals report tens of thousands of medication-related incidents each year. In recent years, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority logged approximately 99,000 medication errors.
Even a single wrong dose can trigger serious complications, from organ stress to prolonged hospital stays. While Harrisburg hospitals must follow strict protocols, mistakes still occur, especially in fast-paced units like emergency rooms and intensive care units.
A typical example of medication errors includes a patient receiving a high-dose blood thinner meant for another patient. This can lead to internal bleeding requiring additional surgery. Another example involves a patient getting half the prescribed dose of a heart medication, which can cause preventable complications and extended hospitalization.
What Compensation is Available After a Wrong Dosage Error?
If you sustain injuries because you were given the wrong medication dosage, you can seek compensation. You can recover medical expenses incurred for treating the resulting complications, including emergency care, surgery, follow-up therapy, and rehabilitation. If applicable, you can likewise recover loss of income due to extended recovery or disability.
Pennsylvania law also allows damages for the physical and emotional impact of the error, including pain, anxiety, and disruption to your daily life. In severe cases resulting in long-term impairment, compensation may include future medical costs and diminished earning potential.
What Our Dedicated Malpractice Lawyers Can Do
Your Harrisburg medication error attorney can work immediately after a suspected dosage error. They can request complete medical records, including pharmacy logs and administration sheets, and work with independent medical experts to assess whether the dosage deviated from the accepted standard of care.
Likewise, they will investigate which staff or hospital systems contributed to the mistake, analyze how the error caused harm, and determine the strongest legal path forward, whether by taking your case to trial or negotiating for the highest compensation possible.
Harrisburg hospitals operate under Pennsylvania’s specific reporting and patient-safety regulations. Local familiarity allows your Harrisburg medication error lawyer to navigate these systems efficiently, communicate effectively with hospital personnel, and anticipate common delays in obtaining records. That local knowledge can be the difference between a claim that stalls and one that secures the care and compensation you need.
Obtain Legal Help from Our Medication Error Attorneys in Harrisburg
If a hospital administered the wrong medication dose, reach out to Marzella & Associates now to protect your health and legal rights. Our injury lawyers in Harrisburg, PA, can ensure the hospital and its staff are held accountable, and you get the support you need to recover fully. Schedule your free case evaluation online or call 717-876-8681.