Brain Injuries Caused by Medication Errors

The human brain is highly sensitive to changes in chemical balance. As such, even a seemingly insignificant error in the administration of medication can lead to catastrophic harm. The repercussions of brain injuries caused by medication errors can be life-altering, affecting a patient’s ability to work, communicate, and perform daily tasks. Such medication errors may occur due to incorrect dosages, improper drug interactions, or administration of the wrong medication. Still, regardless of the precise facts that lead to such mistakes, the root cause is typically negligence. If you or a loved one sustained a brain injury due to a medication error, you may be entitled to seek compensation, and you should talk to a lawyer. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our trusted Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys understand the destruction preventable medical errors can cause, and if we represent you, we will fight to help you seek the outcome you deserve. Our experienced attorneys regularly represent victims of medical negligence in Syracuse, Rochester, and throughout Upstate New York.

Medication errors can occur at multiple stages of medical care, including during prescription, pharmacy dispensing, or administration by a healthcare provider. A miscalculated dosage, a drug prescribed without considering a patient’s medical history, or a failure to recognize harmful interactions can all result in severe brain injuries. Patients may experience confusion, dizziness, loss of consciousness, strokes, or long-term neurological impairments as a result of these errors. In extreme cases, brain injuries caused by medication errors can lead to coma or death.

In addition to immediate neurological symptoms, medication-induced brain injuries may have lasting effects that impact an individual's ability to function. Cognitive dysfunction, mood disorders, and permanent neurological damage may develop over time, requiring specialized medical care and rehabilitation. Many patients may need continuous therapy to regain lost skills, and in some cases, they may never fully recover their pre-injury cognitive abilities.

When healthcare providers fail to prescribe and administer medication properly, the consequences can be devastating. Patients who suffer from these preventable mistakes often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and long-term assistance, resulting in significant financial and emotional burdens. Families of victims may also struggle with the overwhelming costs of ongoing treatment and the emotional toll of witnessing a loved one’s decline. As such, many people who suffer brain injuries caused by medication errors will seek redress via medical malpractice lawsuits.

Generally, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case must prove the defendant’s negligence. In New York, proving medical negligence requires a plaintiff to first demonstrate that the defendant owed them a duty. The duty a doctor owes a patient, which arises out of the treatment relationship, is to offer treatment that aligns with the standard of care, which is considered the good and accepted practice of medicine in the relevant community. Second, the plaintiff must prove that the provider breached this duty by making a medication error, such as prescribing the wrong drug, failing to check for interactions, or administering an incorrect dosage.

The plaintiff must then connect the defendant’s breach to their harm by demonstrating causation. In other words, they must show that absent the defendant’s breach, they would not have sustained an injury. This often requires expert medical testimony to explain how the error deviated from the standard of care and how it led to the patient’s harm. Finally, the plaintiff must prove that they suffered damages, which may include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. In severe cases, compensation may also cover the costs of long-term care and assistive medical devices. In addition to economic damages, non-economic damages such as emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact of cognitive impairment on personal relationships may also be pursued.

Brain injuries caused by medication errors can have life-altering consequences and providers who carelessly make such mistakes should be held responsible for the harm they cause. If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to a preventable medication mistake, you deserve justice, and you should meet with an attorney as soon as possible. The capable Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers are proficient at helping victims of medical negligence protect their rights, and if you engage our services, we will develop persuasive arguments on your behalf. We proudly serve clients in Syracuse, Rochester, and throughout Upstate New York. To arrange a free and confidential meeting, you can use our online form or call us at 833-200-2000.