Medication Error Attorney Morgantown, WV

Legal Help When Medication Mistakes Cause Serious Harm

Medication is meant to help you heal, not put your health in danger. When a prescribing mistake, pharmacy mix up, or hospital drug error leads to serious complications, patients and families are often left confused, scared, and unsure of what happened. If you believe a preventable medication problem caused harm to you or someone you love in the Morgantown area, our team at Berthold Law Firm, PLLC is here to listen and help you understand your options.

We have represented injured people across West Virginia since 1977, and our attorneys handle complex medical malpractice cases that include medication, prescription, and dispensing errors. Our firm includes a full time resident nurse who works closely with our lawyers to review medical records and treatment decisions. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you can talk with us about what went wrong without any upfront cost.

Contact our Morgantown medication error lawyer today to discuss your situation and learn what legal options may be available.

How Our Team Helps After a Medication or Prescription Error

By the time people contact us, they have often been through a frightening experience. They may have been rushed back to a hospital after starting a new drug, developed a severe reaction that doctors should have anticipated, or discovered that a pharmacy gave them the wrong medication. Our role is to bring clarity to what happened and to advise whether the facts support a medical malpractice claim.

When you reach out to us, we begin by learning your story in detail. We review the timeline of events, including what your providers prescribed, what the pharmacy dispensed, and how your condition changed. Our attorneys work closely with our in-house nurse to examine charts, medication lists, lab results, and hospital protocols. Together, we look for signs that a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or facility did not follow accepted safety practices.

If we move forward with your case, we handle communication with insurers and defense lawyers, and we pursue accountability from those responsible. Our legal team has a history of taking on major hospitals and insurance companies when the evidence supports a claim. Throughout the process, we keep you informed, answer questions, and work to reduce the stress of the legal side so you can focus on your health.

We know that traveling to appointments can be difficult after a serious medical event. That is why we offer virtual consultations when appropriate, along with in-person meetings when needed. From your first free consultation through each step of a claim, our goal is to provide clear guidance and steady support.

Common Medication, Prescription, & Dispensing Errors

Medication problems can occur at many points in the healthcare system. Understanding the common types of errors can help you recognize whether your situation may involve preventable mistakes. Not every bad outcome is malpractice, but some errors clearly fall below the standards that medical professionals are expected to follow.

Prescribing & Monitoring Mistakes

Many cases begin with prescribing decisions. A physician may order the wrong drug, write for an unsafe dose, or fail to consider a patient’s kidney or liver function. Some errors involve dangerous drug combinations that should have been caught once the full medication list was reviewed. Others involve ignoring a clearly documented allergy or failing to adjust a dose for a child or an older adult.

Pharmacy & Hospital Dispensing Errors

Errors also occur in pharmacies and hospitals. A pharmacist might misread a prescription, select the wrong medication from a shelf, or label a bottle with incorrect instructions. In a hospital, a nurse may administer a drug meant for another patient, give the wrong strength, or deliver a medication by the wrong route. Dispensing mistakes in busy settings, such as hospital pharmacies or large chain pharmacies, can be especially dangerous when they involve high risk medications.

Every situation is unique, and patients are not expected to know exactly what went wrong. Part of our work, with support from our medical consultant and advanced research tools, is to trace the path of a drug from prescription to administration. We look for breakdowns in communication, verification, and safety checks that may have turned necessary treatment into a source of harm.

Signs a Medication Error May Have Harmed You

Many people suspect something went wrong with their medication long before they see it documented in a chart. They simply know that their condition changed sharply after a new drug, new dose, or new combination. If you experienced a sudden decline or unexpected complications, it may be helpful to consider the warning signs of a possible error.

Physical Warning Signs

Some signs are physical. These can include severe side effects that are far out of proportion to what you were told to expect, intense allergic reactions after a provider knew or should have known about your allergy, or a rapid change in lab values shortly after a medication change. New or worsened symptoms that begin soon after you start, stop, or switch medications may also be a red flag.

Paperwork & Communication Clues

Other clues are found in paperwork and conversations. You might notice that the label on your prescription does not match what your doctor said, that a pharmacy calls later to correct an error, or that your medication list in the hospital keeps changing without a clear explanation. Sometimes family members see inconsistencies in discharge summaries or in electronic portals that do not line up with what they were told at the bedside.

You do not need to sort out these details on your own. If your instincts tell you that a preventable medication problem caused serious harm, our attorneys and in-house nurse can review the records and help you understand whether the facts support a legal claim. A free consultation gives you a chance to ask questions and get an informed perspective on what may have happened.

Who May Be Responsible for a Medication Error

Medication safety is a shared responsibility. More than one person or organization may play a role in an error that leads to serious injury. Many of our clients want to understand who might be held accountable if their case moves forward.

Prescribers & Treating Providers

Prescribing providers are often an important part of the picture. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are expected to consider your diagnosis, other medications, allergies, and overall health when they choose a drug and dose. If they overlook clear warnings, fail to monitor high risk drugs, or ignore obvious signs that a medication is causing harm, their decisions may be questioned.

Nurses, Hospitals & Clinics

Nurses and other staff involved in administering medications must follow strict procedures. This usually includes confirming the correct patient, drug, dose, route, and time. When a nurse gives the wrong drug, miscalculates a dose, or administers medication in a way that is not ordered, the hospital or clinic may share responsibility for poor training, staffing, or supervision.

Pharmacists & Pharmacies

Pharmacists and pharmacies have obligations as well. They are often the last line of defense against prescribing mistakes and dispensing errors. If a pharmacist misreads an order, fails to catch a dangerous interaction, or gives a patient the wrong medication, that conduct may support a claim. Facilities that run busy hospital or community pharmacies may also be responsible for policies that increase the risk of error.

Sorting out fault in these cases can be complex. Our legal team at Berthold Law Firm, PLLC investigates each case carefully and works to identify the individuals and organizations whose failings contributed to the harm. We have experience handling matters that involve large health systems and insurers, and we pursue claims where the evidence supports accountability.

What To Do If You Suspect a Medication or Pharmacy Error

After a serious health crisis, many people feel overwhelmed. They may not know how to protect their health or their legal rights at the same time. While every situation is different, certain steps can help preserve important information and support both your medical care and any future claim.

Protect Your Health First

Your health and safety come first. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Tell every provider you see about all medications you have taken, including the one you believe may be wrong. Let them know about any reactions, when they began, and any changes your doctor or pharmacy made recently.

Preserve Medication & Records

Preserving evidence can also be very important. Try to keep medication bottles, blister packs, receipts, pharmacy printouts, and written instructions. Do not throw them away or return them to the pharmacy until you have had a chance to speak with a professional about your situation. These items can show exactly what you were given and what directions you received.

Document What Happened

It is often helpful to write down a simple timeline. Include when the medication was prescribed, when you filled it, when you started taking it, and when symptoms appeared. Note what your providers told you at each step. You can also request copies of your medical records and pharmacy records. If we accept your case, our attorneys and staff can help gather additional records and information directly from the facilities involved.

If you believe a preventable medication or dispensing error caused serious harm, you can contact our firm for a free consultation. We will review the information you have, talk through what happened, and explain how a potential claim might proceed under West Virginia law.

Why Patients Choose Our Morgantown Medical Malpractice Team

When you are dealing with the impact of a serious medication problem, choosing a legal team is an important decision. Many clients come to us because they want a firm that understands both medicine and the law, and that has a long history of standing up for injured people in this state.

Berthold Law Firm, PLLC has represented clients in personal injury and medical malpractice cases since 1977. Over decades of practice, our attorneys have appeared in West Virginia state and federal courts and have taken on complex disputes against hospitals, healthcare systems, and insurance companies. Our work has resulted in more than 10 million dollars recovered for clients across a wide range of significant injury cases.

Our firm is AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell, a recognition that reflects strong legal ability and high ethical standards within our field. We also have an award winning legal team that is committed to careful preparation and thorough investigation of each claim. These qualities matter in medication error cases, where the facts can be technical and the opposition is often well resourced.

One of the most important resources we offer is our full time on staff resident nurse. This medical consultant works closely with our attorneys, helping us understand treatment decisions, medication protocols, and deviations from accepted practice. For clients, this means that legal strategy is informed by a detailed understanding of the medical issues at stake.

We know that financial concerns are real after a medical crisis. Our firm offers free initial consultations, works on a contingency fee basis, and provides virtual consultation options when travel is difficult. Our goal is to shoulder the legal burden so that you and your family can focus your energy on recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a medication error case?

The best way to know if you may have a medication error claim is to have an attorney review your medical and pharmacy records. Not every negative reaction or complication is caused by negligence, but preventable mistakes that fall below accepted medical and pharmacy standards may support a case. Our attorneys, working with our in-house nurse, look at what was prescribed, what was dispensed, how your condition changed, and whether reasonable safety checks were followed. During a free consultation, we can talk through your experience, explain what factors matter under West Virginia law, and discuss whether further investigation makes sense.

What will it cost to hire your firm for a medication error claim?

We handle these cases using a contingency fee structure, which means our fee is a percentage of any recovery rather than an hourly charge. You do not pay us upfront to review your situation or to start a claim. We also offer free initial consultations, so you can speak with our team and get an overview of your rights at no cost. If we move forward together, we will explain the fee agreement in detail and answer any questions you have, so you can make informed decisions before signing anything.

Can I pursue a claim if I still need treatment from the same doctor or hospital?

Many people are understandably worried about how a claim might affect their ongoing care. In practice, patients often continue to receive treatment from the same hospital or system while a legal matter is pending. Providers have professional obligations that govern how they treat patients, regardless of legal issues. We can explain, in general terms, how claims are typically handled and what options you may have if you are uncomfortable continuing with a specific provider. During a consultation, we discuss your concerns and talk through practical steps that respect both your health needs and your rights.

How will your in-house nurse be involved in my case?

Our full time resident nurse is an important part of how we approach medical malpractice and medication error matters. This nurse reviews medical charts, medication records, and timelines, and helps our attorneys understand how treatment decisions compare to accepted standards of care. That medical insight guides where we focus our investigation and what questions we ask outside experts. For clients, having a medical professional within our team means your concerns are evaluated from both a legal and clinical perspective from the very beginning.

How long do medication error cases usually take in West Virginia?

The length of a medication error case can vary widely. Factors that influence timing include the complexity of the medical issues, the number of defendants, how quickly records and expert opinions can be obtained, and whether the case is resolved through settlement or proceeds to trial. In West Virginia, medical malpractice cases also follow specific procedural steps, such as pre suit notices and expert review, which add time but are important parts of the process. During an initial consultation, we can provide a general outline of typical phases and help you understand what to expect at each stage, while emphasizing that exact timelines depend on the facts of your case.

What information should I bring to a free consultation about a prescription error?

Bringing as much information as you comfortably can will help us make the most of your consultation. Helpful items include medication bottles or packaging, pharmacy receipts or printouts, discharge papers from hospitals or clinics, and any letters or messages you received about a possible error. A simple written timeline of when you started the medication, when symptoms began, and what your providers told you can also be very useful. If you do not have all of this available, you can still contact us. We can advise you on next steps and, if we move forward, help request additional records directly from your providers and pharmacies.

Do you handle cases involving pharmacy dispensing mistakes as well as doctor errors?

Yes, our attorneys review cases that involve errors at multiple points in the medication process, including prescribing mistakes by providers and dispensing mistakes by pharmacies. Some cases involve a combination of both, such as a high risk prescription that was written incorrectly and then filled without proper checks. We examine how the prescription was written, how it was interpreted and filled, and how it was administered. Whether the potential claim involves a community pharmacy, a hospital pharmacy, or a clinic, our goal is to identify where safety steps may have failed and to advise you on your legal options.

Talk With Our Team About a Possible Medication Error Case

If you or a loved one suffered serious harm after a suspected medication, prescription, or pharmacy dispensing mistake in the Morgantown area, you do not have to sort out what happened alone. Our attorneys and in-house nurse at Berthold Law Firm, PLLC can review your situation, explain how the law may apply, and discuss possible next steps.

We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis, and provide virtual meetings when travel is difficult. Talking with our team is a way to get clear information so you can decide what is right for you and your family. If a potential claim exists, we will explain how we can help you pursue accountability and compensation while you focus on your health.

To schedule a free consultation with our team, call } and learn how we may be able to help.