Emergency Room Medication Errors

Patients who arrive at emergency departments seeking urgent care for serious symptoms place their trust in physicians, nurses, and staff to act swiftly and responsibly. Unfortunately, the high-pressure environment of an emergency room, combined with communication breakdowns, understaffing, or human error, can result in dangerous mistakes. In a matter of seconds, emergency room medication errors can transform a routine hospital visit into a life-threatening ordeal. These preventable errors can lead to catastrophic health consequences and, in most cases, warrant medical malpractice lawsuits. If you were injured by emergency room medication errors, it is smart to talk to an attorney about what claims you may be able to pursue. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the devastating impact that emergency room medication errors can have on patients, and if we represent you, we will fight to help you seek justice for your losses. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys help injured individuals across Syracuse, Rochester, and Upstate New York pursue the justice and compensation they deserve.

Emergency room medication errors can take many forms, often arising from rushed decisions, inadequate record review, or poor communication between staff members. A common scenario involves the administration of a medication without properly reviewing a patient’s known allergies or drug interactions. Errors may also occur when staff misread a physician’s order, administer an incorrect dosage, or give the wrong medication entirely. In some cases, medications are administered intravenously instead of orally or delivered too rapidly, causing complications. These mistakes are often the result of breakdowns in hospital protocols, distractions in a chaotic environment, or failures in electronic medical records systems.

The consequences of emergency room medication errors are frequently severe. Patients may suffer anaphylactic shock, internal bleeding, seizures, cardiac arrest, or toxic overdoses. In cases where the wrong medication delays appropriate treatment, the underlying condition can worsen, leading to more invasive interventions or permanent disability. Even when detected quickly, these errors can require extended hospitalization, corrective treatment, and long-term monitoring, causing significant physical, emotional, and financial hardship. 

When emergency room medication errors result from substandard care, they may give rise to a medical malpractice claim. In most instances, a patient harmed by emergency room medication errors will pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit based on a theory of negligence. To demonstrate negligence under New York law, the plaintiff must first demonstrate that the defendant owed them a duty of care. In emergency room settings, this duty is almost always established by the provider-patient relationship, whether the care was rendered by a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other licensed professional.

Once a duty is established, the plaintiff must prove that the provider breached that duty by deviating from the accepted standard of care. In the context of medication errors, a breach may involve prescribing a contraindicated drug, ignoring documented allergies, failing to confirm patient identity before administration, or providing the wrong dosage or method of delivery. 

The plaintiff then must connect the defendant’s breach to their ultimate harm. In other words, they must prove that, but for the defendant’s actions or inactions, they would not have suffered the injuries in question. 

Expert testimony plays a critical role in medical malpractice litigation in New York, particularly in claims involving emergency room medication errors. Plaintiffs will often need to present expert opinions to define the standard of care that should have been followed and explain how the provider’s actions fell short. Medical experts also help establish whether the medication error caused or contributed to the injury and assess the extent of the patient’s damages. Because emergency care often involves fast decision-making under pressure, expert testimony is essential to clarify what actions were reasonable under the circumstances and whether the harm could have been avoided with proper care.

When medication errors occur in an emergency room, the consequences can be swift and devastating. If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to emergency room medication errors, you should talk to an attorney about your right to seek compensation. The skilled Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience handling complex medical malpractice claims, and if we represent you, we will fight to hold the healthcare providers responsible for your harm accountable. Our main office is in Syracuse, and we proudly represent clients in Syracuse, Rochester, and communities throughout Upstate New York. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, contact us online or call 833-200-2000.