A single wrong pill, mislabeled bottle, or missing warning can turn routine care into a disaster. When a pharmacist or healthcare provider fails to safeguard your health, you are the one left suffering the consequences. At Souder Law, we don’t let negligence go unchallenged. Backed by experience, we fight aggressively to hold pharmacies and providers accountable. Serving Jupiter, Palm Beach County, and all of South Florida, we demand the full justice you deserve.
What Are Medication Errors?
Medication errors are a serious problem in Florida and across the nation. Each year, these mistakes contribute to more than 700,000 emergency room visits, 120,000 hospitalizations, and an estimated 7,000 deaths. Seniors are especially vulnerable, with nearly 36% of all adverse drug interactions occurring in older adults. These not only endanger health but also place a heavy financial and emotional burden on victims and their families. In Florida, a medication error occurs when a pharmacist, physician, nurse, or other healthcare provider administers the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or fails to provide proper warnings, resulting in harm. To pursue a claim, the injured party generally must prove:
- The provider owed you a duty of care
- The provider breached that duty through a medication error
- The error directly caused your injury or condition
- You suffered measurable damages as a result
Common Causes of Medication Errors:
- Understaffed pharmacies struggling to manage high patient volume
- Poor handwriting or unclear prescriptions from physicians
- Reliance on outdated or malfunctioning technology
- Dispensing the wrong medication due to similar drug names or packaging
- Giving incorrect dosage from mislabeled or look-alike bottles
- Failure to provide proper warning labels or usage instructions
- Overreliance on pharmacy students or untrained staff without supervision
- Ignoring patient history, allergies, or potential drug interactions
How We Handle Your Medication Errors Claim
When you come to Souder Law after a medication error, we begin by conducting a thorough investigation into exactly what went wrong. We obtain pharmacy logs, prescription records, and provider notes to trace how the error occurred. We work with medical experts to analyze if the wrong drug, wrong dosage, or missing warnings caused your harm. Every step is documented to build a clear, evidence-backed case that shows how negligence led to your injury.
Next, we pursue accountability at every level, whether the mistake happened at a local pharmacy, a hospital, or through a prescribing physician. We negotiate aggressively with insurers and healthcare providers to secure compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and long-term effects. If needed, we are prepared to take your case to trial to demand the justice and financial recovery you deserve.
Damages Available in Medication Error Cases
When pursuing a medication error claim in Florida, it is critical to identify all liable parties, whether it’s the prescribing physician, the dispensing pharmacist, the hospital, or even the manufacturer. Each may share responsibility for the harm caused. Holding every negligent party accountable ensures that you have access to the full range of damages available under Florida law, rather than leaving part of your losses uncompensated.
Once liability is established, compensation in medication error cases may include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and long-term care costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages (if applicable)
Are Pharmacies in Florida Required to Report Medication Errors?
Yes. Florida law requires that serious medication errors be reported and investigated. Pharmacies must follow strict regulations under Florida Statutes Chapter 465, including supervision of pharmacy technicians and mandatory continuing education on medication error prevention. If medication errors are not properly reported, the pharmacy or healthcare provider can face penalties, disciplinary action, or even loss of license.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for a Medication Error in Florida?
Under Florida law, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice, including medication errors, is generally two years from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the error, but no more than four years from the date the malpractice occurred. Certain exceptions apply, such as cases involving fraud or minors, but it’s best to act quickly to protect your rights.
Steps to Take Immediately After the Discovery of Medication Errors:
- Seek immediate medical attention to address complications
- Preserve the medication, packaging, and labels as evidence
- Obtain copies of prescriptions and medical records
- Notify the prescribing doctor or healthcare provider of the error
- Report the incident to the pharmacy or hospital administration
- Document your symptoms, treatment, and recovery process
- Avoid taking further doses until a physician confirms safety
- Contact an experienced Florida medication error attorney for guidance
Find Out What Your Case is Worth (At No Cost)
Souder Law is a compassionate yet aggressive personal injury firm serving Jupiter, Palm Beach County, and the entire South Florida region. If you’ve suffered harm from a medication error, we will fight relentlessly to hold negligent parties accountable and pursue the maximum compensation possible. We work entirely on a contingency fee basis, meaning it costs you nothing upfront to pursue justice. Contact Souder Law today for a free, no-obligation case review for your medication errors claim and learn what your case may be worth.
