Medication Overdoses and Adverse Reactions

Suthers & Harper has long represented families across Georgia and South Carolina when nursing home residents suffer harm from unsafe medication practices. Medication errors in long-term care facilities can have devastating consequences, especially for elderly residents who often rely on multiple prescriptions each day. Even small mistakes can trigger life-threatening complications. When overdoses or adverse drug reactions occur, a Georgia medication overdose attorney can help you hold the facility accountable and protect your loved one’s rights.

Older adults are particularly vulnerable because their bodies process medications differently than younger patients. A missed dose or double dosage can quickly escalate into a serious medical emergency. Nursing homes are legally obligated to manage medications with precision, and when they fail, residents and their families pay the price.

Common Causes of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes

Medication management in long-term care facilities requires strict oversight, yet errors are widespread. Some of the most common causes include:

• Staff failing to read or follow medication administration records;
• Prescriptions filled incorrectly by a pharmacy;
• Physicians or nurses overlook dangerous drug interactions; and
• Staff administering medication at the wrong time or in the wrong amount.

These mistakes are often compounded by chronic understaffing. When too few nurses and aides are responsible for an excessive number of residents, the risk of errors increases significantly. Dangerous understaffing in nursing homes is a well-documented violation that contributes to injuries across the country.

Consequences of Overdoses and Adverse Reactions

The effects of medication mistakes can be severe. According to the Institute of Medicine, medication errors harm at least 1.5 million people in the United States each year, with nursing home residents representing a significant portion of these cases. For older adults, the consequences may include:

• Organ failure, especially involving the kidneys and liver;
• Severe cognitive decline and confusion;
• Falls or choking episodes triggered by drug-induced drowsiness; and
• Increased risk of death following hospitalization.

Adverse drug reactions are also among the leading causes of preventable hospitalizations for elderly patients. These outcomes highlight the importance of vigilant medication management in every nursing home.

Signs of Negligence in Medication Management

Families often notice changes in their loved one’s condition before a facility admits to mistakes. Warning signs may include sudden confusion, unexplained fatigue, or unusual behavior after a new prescription. Unmarked or missing entries on medication charts may also signal errors.

Choking and aspiration dangers are another common outcome of poor medication practices. Sedatives and antipsychotics can impair swallowing ability, making meal times hazardous without proper supervision. Recognizing these risks early can help families act quickly to protect their loved ones.

Holding Nursing Homes Accountable for Medication Mistakes

Every nursing home has a duty to administer medications safely and to monitor residents for side effects. That responsibility includes following the physician’s instructions precisely, recording each dose, and checking for dangerous interactions. When facilities ignore these obligations, preventable injuries and deaths occur.

In many cases, nursing homes attempt to argue that a resident’s condition or age, rather than the nursing home’s negligence, caused the harm. Careful review of medical records, testimony from qualified experts, and accounts from witnesses can reveal where the facility failed. A Savannah medication overdose lawyer can gather this evidence and pursue accountability through the courts.

Medication Overdose Attorney for Help

Medication errors in nursing homes can have devastating consequences, especially for elderly residents with fragile health. At Suthers & Harper, we bring years of trial experience and significant resources to fight for victims of prescription mistakes. Our lawyers have handled complex medical negligence cases throughout Georgia and South Carolina, working with experts across the country to strengthen each claim. We know that these cases often involve large corporations and difficult medical evidence, but we are not afraid to take them to court. To speak with a Georgia medication overdose attorney about your family’s situation, call 800.320.2384 today.