Group Home Medication & Prescription Error Attorneys in Tallahassee, FL Addressing Medication and Prescription Mishaps in Leon County, Wakulla County, Jefferson County, Gadsden County, and Throughout Florida & Georgia
For adults with disabilities, the proper use of prescription medications can significantly improve function and quality of life. It doesn’t matter whether the medication an adult resident of a group home takes is prescribed to directly address the condition that has caused their disabilities or to treat symptoms or comorbidities—either way, receiving your medication promptly and in the correct dosage matters. When residential facilities fail to manage and administer patients’ medication properly, the Tallahassee group home medicine and prescription error lawyers at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. hold these institutions accountable.
We recognize the significant harm that mismanagement of medication can have, particularly on vulnerable adults with complex needs. As we pursue claims for full compensation on our clients’ behalf, we hold group homes responsible for every harm that results from their negligence. We represent victims of group home prescription errors at no upfront cost, providing comprehensive support at every stage of the legal process. For a free, initial consultation with a member of our legal team, contact us today.
Help Holding Group Homes Accountable for Mismanagement of Medication in Tallahassee and All Over Florida
Prescription medication errors can put patients at risk of reduced treatment effectiveness, serious side effects, and potentially life-threatening medical emergencies. Group home residents affected by these mistakes can face significant trauma and suffering, as well as increased medical costs and other losses.
Whether the error that caused these consequences was a one-off mistake or part of a pattern of neglect and unsafe procedures in the facility, injured residents have the right to hold group homes accountable for these failures and the damages they cause.
Legal Guidance for Vulnerable Adults and Their Families
Our attorneys recognize the vulnerable position that all group home residents are in when they must rely on staff to manage their medications.
Medication management is a big reason why residents and their families choose a group home over other living arrangements, like independent living or living at home with family members serving as caretakers. Failing to store and administer medications properly and on schedule is a violation of residents’ trust and a serious threat to their well-being, especially when a pattern of these failures occurs.
We fight for group home residents of all kinds who have been harmed as a result of medication errors, including:
- Patients with autism spectrum disorder
- Residents with intellectual disabilities
- Adults affected by developmental disabilities
- Individuals whose physical disabilities result in significant limitations
- Residents who need additional supervision or support due to mental health concerns, including comorbid clinical depression or anxiety
- Elderly patients who require assistance with medication management but do not need the level of skilled nursing care that necessitates confinement to a nursing home
Even a minor mistake in medication management can throw off a vulnerable adult resident’s fragile equilibrium, undoing the progress their medical team has made in managing their needs and ensuring the best possible quality of life. More severe prescription errors could have long-term or even life-threatening consequences.
Types of Medication Errors in Group Homes and Residential Facilities
Our Tallahassee group home medicine and prescription error lawyers are here for all vulnerable adults who depend on residential facilities to manage their medications. There are numerous ways prescription medications can be mismanaged and cause harm as a result.
Too Little Medication
When a group home resident isn’t receiving the full dosage of medication required for maximum therapeutic effect, they suffer unnecessarily from symptoms that could potentially be managed for a better quality of life. Consistently receiving too low a dosage of prescribed medications can complicate the patient’s treatment plan and put their health at risk.
Too Much Medication
Mistakes that result in patients receiving an excessive dosage of the drug prescribed to them can put their health at risk and potentially result in medical emergencies. Too much of many types of drugs can result in dangerous and potentially fatal overdoses. These situations may require emergency medical intervention.
Wrong Medication
Mixing up different patients’ medications could result in residents receiving drugs that haven’t been prescribed to them. In some instances, the drug itself is unsafe for the patient due to contraindications or interactions with other medications they take. Even if receiving the wrong drug doesn’t pose a serious safety risk, it exposes the patient to potential side effects without offering any therapeutic benefit.
Off-Schedule Administration
Some medications need to be given at specific times, and missing a dose could put patients’ health and safety at risk. When group homes are understaffed and their employees overworked or improperly trained, the risk of missing medication doses or giving the medication at the wrong time is greater.
At best, failing to follow the prescribed dosing schedule may reduce the effectiveness of the medication. At worst, it could result in:
- Overdoses when doses are given too close together
- Medical emergencies if doses are delayed too long
As an example, individuals with Down syndrome have a higher than average risk of suffering from Type 1 diabetes. Failing to give insulin therapies to these patients at the proper time can result in high blood sugar levels and potentially diabetic coma or life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis.
Improper Storage or Preparation of Medication:
Some medicines must be stored, prepared, or administered under certain conditions. Failing to keep medications at the appropriate temperature (including refrigerating drugs that require it) can reduce their effectiveness. In some instances, the breakdown of chemicals in drugs intended to be kept at a lower temperature can be harmful.
Similarly, drugs intended for administration via one mechanism, such as injection, should not be given through another means, such as oral consumption. Staff should be trained to identify and administer medications properly, and procedures should be in place to ensure medications are stored and prepared under the correct conditions.
The exact repercussions of a medication error depend on the type of mistake and the specific medications involved. In group homes, patients often take medication to assist with everything from the management of depression and anxiety to pain management, management of muscle spasticity, and the prevention of seizures. Missing medications that address any of these needs could significantly impact the group home resident’s well-being.
The Benefits of Retaining Experienced Group Home Medication & Prescription Error Attorneys in Tallahassee, FL
When any type of medication error occurs, it calls into question the safety of operations within the facility. Our attorneys expose safety failures through our investigations of Group Home negligence and the legal action we take against facilities that put residents’ safety at risk.
These facilities aren’t likely to voluntarily provide information that supports a resident’s claim. Instead, their administration may deny that the error occurred or argue that the resident is confused about what really happened. Having an attorney experienced in handling matters of Group Home facility negligence provides the resources necessary to conduct a thorough investigation by analyzing patient records, personnel logs, facility policies and procedures, and witness accounts.
A group home may try to downplay the impact of medication mismanagement, which is one more reason it’s important to have an attorney who understands how to document the full scope of the resident’s losses.
Professional legal representation allows for strong, effective advocacy throughout the legal process. Whether your case is resolved through a negotiated settlement or goes all the way to trial, having a lawyer on your side means having the peace of mind of knowing that your claim has addressed every aspect of your losses.
How Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. Can Help
Our Group Home medication & prescription error attorneys in Tallahassee, FL, provide comprehensive legal support throughout claims against negligent group homes. We’re here to handle all aspects of your claim, from launching an investigation into alleged medication errors and gathering evidence against the facility to representing injured residents in legal proceedings.
Residents of group homes and their families count on us to:
- Identify failures that led to the medication error
- Establish the group home’s liability for your losses
- Gather evidence that supports your claim
- Document damages for which you’re entitled to compensation
- Manage interactions with the defendant and insurers
- Handle claims paperwork, legal filings, and deadlines
- Represent you in settlement negotiations and legal proceedings
- Pursue the full amount of compensation you deserve for the harm you suffered
You’ll never have to face the legal process alone. We’re prepared to stand up to even influential facilities with substantial resources, fighting for the results our clients deserve.
Why Choose Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. as Your Tallahassee Group Home Medicine and Prescription Error Lawyers?
When residents suffer significant harm from mismanagement of medication, they turn to our Tallahassee group home medicine and prescription error lawyers for assistance. The team at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. is known for our extensive experience in legal practice, the dedicated advocacy we provide for the injured, and our commitment to serving the Florida community.
Decades in Legal Practice
Our firm has been in practice for more than 35 years, handling over 10,000 cases during this tenure. Our team of legal professionals brings more than 100 years of combined experience to every case we handle, ensuring that we have plenty of firsthand knowledge to draw from as we navigate the challenges of the legal process in each individual situation.In the field of group home neglect and abuse specifically, our lawyers have been advocating for the victims of abuse and neglect for over 35 years, and other outstanding law firms recognize our level of expertise in this field, referring claims throughout the state to Brooks, LeBoeuf, Footer, Gwartney & Hobbs P..A. for representation.
Representation That Recognizes What’s at Stake
Group home administrators may try to downplay the seriousness of a medication error, but our attorneys recognize exactly how devastating these mistakes can be, especially when they impact vulnerable adults who already have complex needs. We approach every case from the perspective that there’s too much at stake—like the injured victim’s ability to make the fullest physical, emotional, and financial recovery possible—not to give your case our all.
Dedication to Serving the Injured Throughout Florida
Our team has a longstanding commitment to the Florida community. Most attorneys in our firm are graduates from Florida State University College of Law and have devoted their careers to serving Florida’s injured, particularly vulnerable populations. Our firm is known for our strong reputation throughout Florida’s legal community and our knowledge of state laws, legal precedents, and local court systems.
Contact the Tallahassee Group Home Medicine and Prescription Error Lawyers at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. Today for a Free Case Evaluation
In the aftermath of the hardships that affect injured group home residents and their families following a serious medication error, the last thing you need is another burden to bear. By offering free initial consultations and representing the injured on a contingency basis, we make sure every individual harmed by group home negligence can receive fair financial compensation. We provide a full array of legal support throughout your claim at no upfront cost.
For help from Group Home medication & prescription error attorneys in Tallahassee, FL, contact Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. online or call 850-605-3555 today.
