Medication Errors
Phoenix Lawyers Representing Victims of Medication Errors
Since 1974, the lawyers at Solomon & Relihan have been representing personal injury victims throughout Arizona. We continue our work by representing some of the most vulnerable populations — people with disabilities residing in Arizona's group homes.
Of the many problems that group home residents experience, medication errors are some of the most common.
Group homes often try to cut costs by not paying staff enough or not providing enough training. The result is that group home staff members are often unprepared for the serious task of administering medicine to someone you love. The result can have grim consequences — medication errors with life-changing consequences:
Group home medication errors involve a wide range of circumstances and drugs:
- Anti-seizure medication
- Blood thinners
- Antidepressants
- Tranquilizers
- Antipsychotic drugs
- Anti-anxiety drugs
Chemical Restraints and Over-Medication
In many group homes, staff members lack training and knowledge to deal appropriately with behavioral problems. Without proper training, they promote residents' over-use of psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants, tranquilizers, antipsychotics and anti-anxiety drugs. Many of these drugs are used in combination, and their combined effect is over-sedation — a chemical restraint that limits everyday function.
When used only for staff convenience, and not to treat an underlying medical condition, using drugs as a chemical restraint is never okay.
In addition to these "chemical straitjackets" limiting a group home resident's ability to function, long-term use of chemical restraints can lead to diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, central nervous system disorder, and Parkinsonism, as well as liver, kidney, pancreas, and other organ damage.
Talk to a Lawyer About the Medication Error
If you believe that a medication error has lead to injury at a group home, or if someone you love is being administered an improper drug, talk to an attorney about taking legal action. For a free initial consultation about the law of medical negligence, neglect, and abuse, contact our Phoenix law office.
