At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, it’s our team’s priority to be up to date on noteworthy news to best serve our clients.
Once a month, we round up a list of articles that impact our practice areas, including but not limited to, sexual abuse, medical malpractice, and personal injury.
Continue reading below for this month’s roundup of news you need to know.
What the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy filing means for victims.
In February, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for bankruptcy following thousands of child sexual abuse allegations across the country. The claims stem from a January legal challenge in the nation’s capital that allows former Boy Scouts to come forward and file claims, despite previous deadlines imposed by the statute of limitations.
As a result of the filing, however, all civil litigation against the organization is currently suspended. And the window of opportunity for victims to take legal action against BSA will close soon in the bankruptcy proceedings.
If you have suffered abuse at the hands of a BSA leader or any other official member of that organization, it’s crucial that you act as soon as possible. While taking action isn’t always easy, an experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How to protect yourself against pharmacist error.
Have you ever picked up the wrong prescription due to pharmacy error? If so, you’re not alone. According to an investigation by the New York Times, pharmacists feel stretched thin, with some making up to 12 errors a year. And that figure only accounts for errors that “are caught” or documented.
While pharmacy errors come in various forms, the complications are costly. In some cases, they can result in a new condition, either temporary or permanent, for the patient.
To reduce error, patients can take the following steps during the prescription process:
- Talk to the pharmacist about the drugs they dispense.
- Check for your name on the bag, as well as the box or bottle inside it that contains the medication.
- Identify the pills using an online source.
- Read the instructions to make sure the medication matches the ailment.
If you received the wrong prescription as a result of pharmacy error, report it right away.
Prescription overlap can result in death—especially for this deadly combo.
In recent years, more and more doctors are prescribing benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety and agitation for patients.
When taken on a short-term basis, benzodiazepines are helpful. Taken over the long-term, they‘re highly addictive, increasing the risk of clouded judgment and impaired memory, especially for older adults.
What’s more alarming is that when coupled with opioids, the combination of drugs can result in hospitalization or death. Yet, a growing number of doctors continue to overlap benzodiazepine-opioid prescriptions despite increasing overdoses.
When prescribing medication, healthcare professionals are required to act in a reasonable, careful manner, and if they fail to do so, they are negligent. You can receive compensation if that negligence prevents you from fully recovering or diminishes the likelihood that you will recover.
To avoid prescription overlap, consider the following tips:
- Talk with your doctor about your medical history.
- Explain your current illness or condition.
- Identify which prescriptions you’re currently taking.
- Ask about the side effects and risks of the recommended prescription.
- Ask if there are other treatment options available.
- Request a different prescription.
If your or your loved one’s doctor prescribes a medication that has a dangerous interaction with another, talk with an experienced attorney.
Speak with an experienced attorney about your situation.
At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, we help people get the justice they deserve. For a free consultation, contact us today.
