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Indiana Medication Error Lawyers

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When a Medication Mistake May Qualify as Medical Malpractice in Indiana

Prescribing

A doctor orders the wrong medication, an unsafe dosage, or a combination of drugs that should not be taken together, sometimes leading to unexpected side effects or a rapid decline in a patient’s condition.

Dispensing

A pharmacy fills a prescription incorrectly or provides the wrong strength, which may cause symptoms to worsen shortly after the medication is taken.

Administration

A hospital or nursing provider gives the wrong medication or dose, potentially resulting in emergency treatment or hospitalization.

Monitoring

A healthcare provider fails to watch for side effects or drug interactions, allowing avoidable complications to progress before they are addressed.

If this reflects your experience, you may contact our office to discuss your situation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Prescription Error

Physicians who prescribe the wrong medication, an unsafe dosage, or a combination of drugs that should not be taken together.

Nurses or hospital staff who administer medication without proper verification, give the wrong dose, or provide medication to the wrong patient.

Pharmacists or pharmacy chains that fill prescriptions incorrectly, dispense the wrong strength, or label medications improperly.

Hospitals, clinics, or healthcare facilities that fail to enforce medication safety procedures, maintain adequate oversight, or properly train staff.

Our experienced prescription error attorneys review each stage of treatment and the relevant records to identify where the breakdown occurred and which parties may be accountable.

Medication Error vs Adverse Drug Event: What’s the Difference

Scope Medication Error Adverse Drug Event
Nature of the problem Preventable mistake in care. Reaction without a preventable mistake.
How it occurs Wrong drug, wrong dose, unsafe combination, or improper administration. Known or possible side effect of a correctly given medication.
Stage of care involved Prescribing, dispensing, administration, or monitoring. Medication handled according to medical standards.
Role of negligence Involves a failure to meet the standard of care. No negligence required.
Legal relevance May support a medical malpractice claim. Does not, by itself, support malpractice.
Proof required Error, negligence, and resulting harm. Harm alone is insufficient.

How Our Lawyers Handle Medication Error Lawsuits in Indiana

Medication error cases in Indiana follow a structured legal process. Navigating that process requires careful documentation, timing, and coordination under Indiana’s medical malpractice framework.

indiana-medication-errors-lawyers
  • Medical and pharmacy record review: Obtain records to determine what was prescribed, dispensed, administered, and monitored.

  • Treatment timeline analysis: Review the sequence of care to identify where the medication process failed.

  • Proposed complaint filing: Prepare and file a proposed complaint with the Indiana Department of Insurance when required under the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act.

  • Medical Review Panel coordination: Coordinate the Medical Review Panel process, which involves a panel of healthcare providers who review evidence and expert opinions before a case may proceed in court.

  • Court proceedings when required: Advance the case into litigation after the Medical Review Panel process when Indiana law permits and the facts support further action.

  • Deadline and tolling management: Track statutory deadlines and tolling periods, including how the statute of limitations is affected during panel review.

  • Patient’s Compensation Fund issues: Address matters involving the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund when a qualified healthcare provider is part of the case.

How We Prove Negligence and Link the Error to Harm

A medication error alone does not establish medical malpractice. To pursue a claim under Indiana law, it must be shown that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and that this failure caused actual harm.

Our pharmacy error attorneys focus on specific medical and legal elements to determine whether negligence caused harm. This analysis includes:

  • Applicable standard of care: Identify what a reasonably careful physician, pharmacist, nurse, or healthcare facility should have done under similar circumstances.

     

  • Deviation from accepted practice: Show how the prescribing, dispensing, administration, or monitoring of medication fell below professional standards.

     

  • Causal link to the injury: Connect the medication mistake to the patient’s harm, such as worsening health, complications, or the need for additional treatment.

     

  • Qualified expert review: Rely on medical or pharmacy experts to explain how the error occurred and why it caused injury.

     

  • Evaluation of alternative causes: Examine whether the injury resulted from the medication mistake rather than an underlying condition or an unavoidable reaction.

Medication error cases often involve complex medical records and overlapping care providers. Careful analysis is required to show not only that a mistake occurred, but that it directly resulted in harm.

Compensation Available in Indiana Medication Error Cases

Medication mistakes can cause a wide range of harm, from temporary complications to permanent injury or death, depending on the medication involved, the dosage, and how quickly the error is identified and treated. When a medication-related error qualifies as medical malpractice, Indiana law allows injured patients and families to seek compensation for losses directly tied to the injury.

Depending on the facts of the case, available damages may include:

Hospital care, follow-up treatment, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical needs related to the injury.

Wages missed during recovery or long-term limitations that affect the ability to work.

Physical discomfort, emotional distress, and the impact the injury has on daily life.

Losses related to lasting conditions that affect independence or quality of life.

Financial losses suffered by surviving family members when a fatal medication mistake occurs.

Indiana law places statutory limits on damages in medical malpractice cases. For acts of malpractice that occurred on or after July 1, 2019, the total amount recoverable is capped at $1.8 million, regardless of the severity of the injury. A qualified healthcare provider is generally responsible for up to $500,000, with additional compensation, when applicable, paid through the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund.

What to Do After a Suspected Medication Mistake

When a medication mistake is suspected, the first priority is health and safety. Taking a few practical steps early can also help preserve information that may later clarify what happened.

  • Seek medical attention: Obtain prompt care if symptoms worsen, new side effects appear, or emergency treatment is needed.

  • Preserve the medication and packaging: Keep pill bottles, boxes, labels, and instruction sheets rather than discarding them.

  • Document symptoms and timing: Write down when the medication was taken, when symptoms began, and how the condition changed.

  • Request medical and pharmacy records: Ask for prescription records, medication lists, discharge instructions, and pharmacy receipts.

  • Avoid altering records or medications: Do not change dosages or stop medications without medical guidance unless advised to do so.

  • Limit discussions about fault: Focus conversations with providers on care and treatment rather than assigning blame.

Free case review available. Our attorneys review medical and pharmacy records to determine whether a medication mistake meets the legal requirements for a claim under Indiana law.

Why Choose Langer & Langer

Medication error cases often involve detailed medical records, pharmacy data, and Indiana-specific malpractice procedures. We have handled these issues for decades in cases across the state.

100+ years of combined malpractice litigation experience:

Longstanding experience representing patients in medical malpractice cases throughout Indiana.

Deep understanding of Indiana malpractice law:

Familiarity with statutory requirements, damage caps, filing deadlines, Medical Review Panels, and the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund.

Personal attention and responsive communication:

Clear updates and timely responses throughout the legal process.

Clear fee structure:

Representation is offered on a contingency fee basis. Fee terms and any cost responsibilities are explained in the written fee agreement.

Our attorneys approach these cases with the attention and diligence they demand.

Real Case Results and Client Testimonials

Every case we handle is personal, and our results reflect the care, focus, and experience we bring to each one. We’ve helped families across Indiana recover compensation, including:

$9.05 Million

Medical Malpractice

$1.8 Million

Medical Malpractice

$1.67 Million

Medical Malpractice

Client Testimonials:

Robert was extremely helpful and informative and made room to meet with me even though his schedual was tight! Even though he wasn't able to help me moving forward he gave me the advice and confidence I needed to move forward on my own! I highly recommend him.

Riley Evans

Robert representative after a bad car accident for myself and my family. He was everything that we had hoped for in an attorney to deal with this challenging situation. I highly recommend Langer and Langer especially Robert for any personal injury needs.

Paul Steffeck

I highly recommend Steve Langer & his attorneys for medical malpractice representation. From the beginning I have always felt that they listened intently with care & compassion. There were always available to answer any of my questions and concerns. I can’t thank Steve Langer enough for getting justice for my Mom.

Tina Perez

We value every outcome, but more importantly, we value the trust our clients place in us. If you’re facing a medication error, we’re here to help.

Areas We Serve

Langer & Langer represents clients across Indiana in medication error and medical malpractice matters arising from hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.

Our medication malpractice attorneys handle medication error cases in:

  • Indianapolis
  • South Bend
  • Fort Wayne
  • Valparaiso
  • Lafayette
  • Merrillville
  • Bloomington
  • Michigan City

We also represent clients statewide, regardless of where the medication error occurred.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medication Error Lawsuits in Indiana

In Indiana, a medication error claim must generally be filed within 2 years from the date of the alleged act or omission. For children under age six, the deadline may extend until the child’s eighth birthday.

Indiana law requires most medication error claims against qualified healthcare providers to be reviewed by a Medical Review Panel before the case may proceed in court. The panel evaluates medical records and expert opinions but does not decide liability or award damages. This review is a procedural step required under the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act.

Medical records, prescription histories, pharmacy receipts, discharge instructions, and a written timeline of events can help provide context when a medication error is reviewed. Having this information available allows for a more efficient evaluation of what occurred and what steps may apply.

No. A consent form generally acknowledges known risks of treatment, but it does not excuse negligence. If a preventable medication mistake occurred, signing a consent form does not automatically bar a malpractice claim under Indiana law.

Speak With an Indiana Medication Error Lawyer Today

Questions following a prescribing or dispensing error often require prompt legal review. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys can review your records, explain your options under Indiana law, and guide you through the process.

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by calling 219-533-2744 or submitting a request through our secure contact form. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

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