Case Analysis Medical Malpractice - 1509 Words

Introduction â€Å"Medical malpractice occurs when a hospital, doctor or other health care professional, through a negligent act or omission, causes an injury to a patient. The negligence might be the result of errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare or health management.† (Admin) One of the most common type of claims that pharmacies face are negligence claims. Negligence is one of the categories that falls under the area of law called Torts. In the Hundley v Rite Aid case, a tort was filed for injuries that were sustained by Gabrielle Hundley after she took medication from an incorrectly filed prescription. The case involved a jury trial verdict involving Gabrielle Hundley, a minor child, against Howard Jones, the pharmacist, and the Rite†¦show more content†¦Rite Aid pharmacy filled her prescription with a 6 mg tablet of Glynase, brand name for glyburide, instead of her prescribed drug, Ritalin. In diabetic patients, blood sugar is high, hyperglycemia, and Glynase helps to lower the blood sugar. Moreover, Glynase is an adult diabetic medication with no indication for children and because Gabrielle does not have low blood sugar, she became hypoglycemic. According to Gabrielle’s doctors, while she was experiencing her hypoglycemic coma, â€Å"her blood sugar fell to a level at which her brain cells, particularly the gray cells of the cerebral cortex, began using their own proteins and lipids as fuel to avoid necrosis.† (McGuire) This resulted in permeant brain damage. At trial, Gabrielle was categorized as mentally retarded because of her brain injury. On October 7, 1996 the trial began. At trial the Hundley’s economist Dr. Oliver Wood presented his opinion on cost estimates of future damages based on a Life Care Plan. The Plan included a cost of $4,727,641 for institutionalized care for Gabrielle beginning at 21 years of age. After the verdicts were rendered, Jones and Rite Aid made post trial motions for a new trial. South Carolina Medical Malpractice Laws In South Carolina any health care provider can be held liable for medical malpractice. A health care provider can also include entities such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies (Advice). If a patient believes they have beenShow MoreRelatedMalpractice Case Analysis : Medical Malpractice1408 Words   |  6 PagesMedical Malpractice Case Analysis Do a Google search on medical malpractice and an assortment of information populates. Anything from advertisements for lawyers, articles on recent cases, to potential damages a person is entitled to, resulting from medical neglect. 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