Allergic Reaction Injury Lawyers in Philadelphia

Pursuing a Lawsuit After an Allergic Reaction to Medication Throughout Pennsylvania & New Jersey
It is all too common for patients in hospitals to suffer from unnecessary allergic reactions because of medication errors, which can lead to severe injuries or death. This can happen to patients seeing doctors at hospitals, private offices, clinics, and nursing homes.

If you or a loved one had an allergic reaction to a prescribed drug, our Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys can help you seek compensation for the resulting illness or injuries. Gay Chacker & Ginsburg Trial Lawyers is ready to fight for your best interests.

Contact us online or call 215-567-7955 today for your free consultation. We serve clients throughout the Philadelphia area, as well as those located in New Jersey.

Negligence by Doctors

Patients often tell medical staff of their allergies to food and medication before beginning any treatment. They may also rely on the professionals to diligently review their medical history and patient file before delivering care. Due to negligence by doctors and staff, patients are sometimes prescribed or administered drugs they are allergic to, causing uncomfortable and severe reactions.

Defective Medications

Sometimes, the medicines that are prescribed are from a bad batch. In such instances, the drug manufacturer is also liable to pay damages. If you or a loved one has been injured due to medical malpractice related to a drug allergy, it is important to hire an allergic reaction injury lawyer to fight for your rights and work toward compensation.

Drugs that Can Result in Severe Allergic Reactions

Many medicines are meant to fight viruses and infections. When a person’s body overreacts to these drugs, they can attack their system, resulting in further harm or death. This hypersensitivity to a drug is called an allergic reaction. More than 6,875 people die each year due to severe allergic reactions, and many patients are negatively affected by prescribed medications, with penicillin topping that list.

Medications with a high risk of allergic reactions include the Sulfa family of drugs:

  • Codeine
  • Morphine
  • NSAIDs
  • Aspirin
  • Carbamazepine
  • Phenytoin
  • Tetracycline

Symptoms of a drug allergy include:

  • High fever
  • Hives, blisters, itching, or rashes
  • Organ failure
  • Kidney Inflammation
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Breathing problems
  • Anaphylaxis

Research Statistics on Severe & Fatal Allergic Reactions

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can result in serious injury or even death. Most often, this condition treated by an injection of epinephrine. In cases involving reactions to medications, the medical provider has around 5 minutes to administer the correct dose; otherwise, the patient’s heart could stop. In 2018, the National Center for Biotechnology Information released a study concerning the number of medical malpractice lawsuits triggered by cases of anaphylaxis. The researchers stated that these are often “underdiagnosed and inappropriately treated.” According to the study, 40% of the cases arose from these types of errors.

The study examined 30 cases of anaphylaxis-related medical malpractice lawsuits, and found the following:

  • 53% resulted in death
  • 17% resulted in permanent neurological damage
  • 13% resulted in permanent cardiac damage
  • 13% resulted in non-fatal cardiac arrest
  • 13% resulted in admission to the ICU

If you or a loved one were harmed due to an allergic reaction to drugs, our Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers are prepared to fight for you. Call us at 215-567-7955 or contact us online today to get started.