We recently learned that Walgreens has come under fire because it seems they have been dispensing mediations illegally for over 10 years at multiple California Walgreens locations. The California pharmacy board says that from November 2006 to September 2017, Kim Thien Le has filled almost 750,000 prescriptions.
The problem is that she is not, and never has been, a pharmacist.
Thien has been faking it the entire time she has been working, using the pharmacy license number of a person who has a name similar to hers. During that time, she has worked closely with patients, been a pharmacy supervisor, and given vaccinations.
At Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation, this case really has us questioning many aspects of Walgreen’s verification process. Not only that but now we wonder if this has happened at other companies and smaller pharmacies around the country. This is just one example of how medical mistakes can happen. If you need a California medical malpractice attorney, we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Can Happen?
The case above shows us one way in which medical mistakes can occur. This was an error at the company level. Jon Roth, the CEO of the California Pharmacists Association says that checking the credentials of pharmacists is the first step all companies must take before hiring.
“It literally is a matter of life and death,” he says.
Much of medicine is a matter of life and death and we realize that healthcare professionals have hard jobs. They will not always be able to make us feel better or treat the diseases that plague us. However, if they are careless or negligent in their duties, they need to be held accountable.
Did you know that medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the United States? It is estimated that an average of 250,000 people is killed each year due to medical mistakes and that millions more life but suffer from their consequences.
Some of the most common ways that people are harmed due to medical mistakes are:
- Mistakes when dispensing medications in the hospital. Sometimes, patients receive the wrong medication, the wrong dosage, or do not receive the medication at all.
- Surgical mistakes, both major and minor, often have irreparable effects.
- Hospital-acquired infections are a major problem and often caused due to healthcare professionals failing to follow protocol.
- A misdiagnosis can lead to delayed treatment of major health concerns.
What You Can Do Now?
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a medical error caused by a healthcare professional’s negligence, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation, we are standing by, ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. This can include:
- Coverage of medical expenses related to the error
- Pain and suffering damages
- Lost income if you are unable to work
- Punitive damages
When you need a California medical malpractice lawyer, you can reach out to us on our website by clicking here or calling us at 818-783-5757.