Pharmacies play a very important role in managing the health of individuals throughout the nation including the Pittsburgh area. Despite this, medication errors that potentially constitute medical malpractice occur all too often.

Recently new broke of one such mistake at arguably one of the nation's most well-known medical facilities–Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The incident involved a mix-up between a Vitamin B12 shot and atropine sulfate. While Vitamin B12 is a fairly commonly taken supplement, the drug given to the woman in its place could have been fatal.

The woman was fortunate. As her son, a former emergency medical technician, was preparing to inject what he thought was the Vitamin B12, he realized the vials indicated they contained the heart stimulant, rather than cyanocobalamin, the name of a synthetic B12. In shock he informed his mother of what could have happened had he inadvertently administered the dose.

Not all patients who are victims of pharmacy errors are so lucky. While in some cases the mistaken drug may not result in any injury, in other situations serious injuries, even death could occur. When such incidents do occur those affected may decide to pursue financial compensation via a medical malpractice lawsuit.

These types of lawsuits are often complicated. In order to collect and preserve the evidence needed for a lawsuit to be successful, it is important to work quickly in engaging the assistance of a lawyer who has handled such cases in the past. While the damage cannot be undone, a financial award or settlement may make it easier to move forward.

Source: The Washington Post, "Walter Reed investigates potentially deadly mix-up at medical center pharmacy," Mike DeBonis, May 6, 2013