Medication Errors During Pregnancy Can Cause Birth Defects and Premature Births

A Florida woman has filed a lawsuit against St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, operated by Tenet Healthcare Corporation, after receiving a medication that led to the premature birth of her five-month old child by mistake. The hospital medication error occurred within hours of a similar prescription mistake, causing a woman to lose unborn twins.

The Florida woman entered St. Mary's Medical Center after being ordered by her doctor to adhere to strict bed rest. Her doctor prescribed progesterone suppositories in order to prevent premature birth; however, one of the nurses on the staff administered Prostin — a drug that induces labor. Shortly after receiving the medication, she experienced severe abdominal pain, which was attributed to the need for a bowel movement by the nurses. Four hours later, the woman gave birth to her child, who suffered from brain damage and continues to be hospitalized indefinitely.

The hospital has released an apology to the victim and has attributed the mistake as "an unfortunate error that occurred despite the safeguards we have in place."

Pregnancy Medication Errors Lawsuits

The Pensacola, Florida personal injury attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz understand the physical and emotional tolls that preventable hospital errors can cause to patients. The National Academies' Institute of Medicine estimates that more than 400,000 preventable drug-related injuries occur annually, leaving patients with expensive medical bills to recover from the errors, as well as pain and suffering.

If you have been wronged because of medication mistakes, contact the medication errors attorneys of AWKO Law at (888) 255-2956 to learn how you can file a claim and earn compensation.