Suit says prescription error rendered patient unable to walk

When a patient visits the emergency room or their family care provider in New York, they are often prescribed medication to help treat their condition. Sometimes, more than one medication can be prescribed. Unfortunately, a physician may not take proper care in determining how these medications will react to one another when taken together. This can result in dangerous conditions arising, possibly even death, due to a prescription error.

Apparently, this is what may have happened to a woman in another state. She went to her physician, who she had been seeing since 2007. In late July 2011, she received a prescription for a medication that would lower her cholesterol as well as two medications that are known to help in the treatment of HIV. In the lawsuit, it is stated that the medications for the HIV and the medication for the cholesterol should never be taken together because of the possible adverse side effects.

She continued to take these medications through April 2012. It was at the end of April when she visited the emergency room because she was having trouble walking. She also couldn't hold her own weight up.

Doctors examined her and determined that she was suffering from a condition that presents these symptoms. The lawsuit states that the condition can be caused by the mixture of the medications she had been taken since July 2011. Because of this alleged negligence, her injuries may become permanent.

The woman is seeking damages from the physician, the assistant of the physician and the pharmacy that filled her medication. She feels as though all of these people should have known the dangers associated with the combination of these medications and are responsible for the prescription error. Anyone in New York who finds themselves or a loved one in a similar situation has the legal right to pursue a legal claim in order to hopefully hold the responsible parties liable for their negligent medical actions. This can possibly help pay for medical costs and provide compensation for pain and suffering from the incident.

Source: The Pennsylvania Record, "Patient files medical malpractice suit against Philly health center for prescribing dangerous drug mixture", Jim Boyle, Aug. 21, 2014