Taking Action against a Doctor for Over-Prescribing Pain Medications

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 44 people die each day from overdose of prescription painkillers. In 2014, the most prescribed drug under Medicare was hydrocodone acetaminophen (also known as Vicodin). What’s wrong with this picture?

Despite overwhelming evidence of the dangerous nature of narcotic painkillers, many physicians continue to prescribe the drugs with seemingly reckless abandon. In fact, many prescription painkiller addicts start off by taking a legitimate doctor-administered supply. Often the question for the families of this unfortunate population is how they can hold the prescribing physician accountable. While it can be difficult to pursue damages from your prescribing physician, here are some possibilities:

A Proven Pattern of Over-Medication
However, If it can be proven the doctor obviously prescribed more pills than the patient needed, particularly in an effort to profit, they can be held legally accountable. In some cases, doctors instruct patients to take far too many of these pills than they need to on a daily basis.

Lack of Understanding Regarding Risks
Doctors have an obligation to thoroughly explain the risks and potential health threats to the patient before writing a prescription. If the doctor fails in their duty to relay a drug manufacturer’s warning to a patient, responsibility for illness or injury lies with the physician.

If you or a loved one has developed a substance abuse problem due to what you believe is over-medication and irresponsible doctors’ orders, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney immediately.

Sugarman Law, LLC helps those who have been injured by medication errors from negligent physicians and hospitals for medication errors. Contact Barry Sugarman for a free consultation.