Medication Errors
One of the most common claims for medical malpractice is medication errors. It has been estimated as the third leading cause of death in the United States. Since the process to prescribe and give medications to patients is complex and often includes many steps, there are many ways where patients can suffer due to medication error.
Find out what your case is worth.
Legally Reviewed by:
Last Updated:
October 27, 2025
Table of Contents
What Is A Medication Error?
Most of the time, mistakes are made with dosages. If a patient is prescribed something with a low enough dosage, their condition will either stay the same or deteriorate further. On the contrary, a dosage too high could cause other side effects that could create additional conditions or injuries. In these cases, a doctor may accidentally write the wrong dosage on the prescription, the nurse could give the wrong amount to the patient, or medical machines could have technical difficulties. Additionally, a hospital setting increases the likelihood of a patient receiving medication meant for another person.
In medical malpractice cases regarding medication errors, it is important to have an idea of the setting where the medical professional works. Possible reasons for medication errors include short staffing, malfunctioning technology, or untrained pharmacy technicians.
What Is Not Considered A Medication Error?
However, there are limits to what can be considered a medical error claim. If a patient has an allergic reaction to a new medication that a reasonable doctor would not have been able to know beforehand, this would not be malpractice. Although unfortunate, treatments that are unsuccessful do not fall under the realm of medical malpractice.
Before you consider hiring an attorney to represent your case, you must know if you are simply angry at a medical professional or if you are the victim of medical malpractice. Contact Rob Levine Law medical malpractice law team for a free case consultation to determine if you have a medical malpractice case.
Get Your Free Consultation Now
"*" indicates required fields
Notable Case Results
$300,000
Client was driving on Douglas Avenue in North Providence. Defendant failed to stop and t bone our client. Our client was rushed to Fatima Hospital. Suffering from shoulder pain which needed surgery. The defendants insurance company tried to say the injuries were pre-existing but our firm was able to get medical opinions that proved the […]
$125,000
Client was getting off of 95 near Roger Williams Zoo when the defendant tried switching lanes hitting the rear and side of our clients car. Client had several pre exisiting health issues and the insurance companied denied her injuries. Our attorney was able to relate the injuries were caused by the accident by getting older […]
Effective Advocacy for Military and Personal Injury Claims
When I searched online for an attorney to handle my claim with the military, I was lucky to find Rob Levine Law. They have proven to be very knowledgeable in personal injury law and are willing to fight for you, which they did very effectively. I am so glad they picked up the phone when […]
James H.
Highly Recommend for Personalized Legal Care
Best firm for legal services! Customer service is off the charts, and they stay in touch with you throughout the whole process. Big shout-out to Rob Levine and his law firm family. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me and my family.
Cidalia D.
Supportive and Dedicated Legal Assistance
I have been a client of Rob Levine’s for two cases. In both cases, Rob’s talented, hardworking team helped me win 🏆. I’m so happy and proud of all the people who helped me. I got really hurt, and they were there to listen and support me.Thank you so much, y’all. Thank you, Rob, you […]
Moe A.
Additional Resources
Related Pages
Medical Malpractice and Patient Safety Everyday patients safety should be the priority for healthcare professionals, but unfortunately, that is not...
A licensed medical professional’s actions that fall below the standard of care include failure to diagnose/misdiagnosis, failure to order proper...
In Rhode Island, informed consent refers to the conversation a medical professional has with their patient when they explain the...