For many families, placing a loved one in a nursing home is a difficult but necessary decision made with the expectation that trained professionals will provide expert, attentive care. But when it comes to medication management — a cornerstone of elderly health — the reality is often far from what families are promised. At Michael Hill Trial Law, we’ve seen how medication errors in nursing homes can lead to devastating and even fatal consequences. Our mission is to hold negligent facilities accountable and protect the rights of vulnerable residents.

How Medication Errors Happen

Medication errors in nursing homes are more than innocent mistakes — they are often the result of preventable negligence. Whether due to poor protocols, untrained staff, or chronic understaffing, these errors compromise resident safety and trust.

Common Types of Errors Include:

• Wrong medication given – Confusing residents’ prescriptions or administering another person’s drug
• Incorrect dosage – Giving too much or too little of a prescribed medication
• Improper timing – Skipping doses or not administering medications on schedule
• Drug interactions – Failing to consider how multiple medications interact
• Lack of monitoring – Not watching for adverse side effects or allergic reactions

At Michael Hill Trial Law, we’ve witnessed how these mistakes can lead to hospitalization, worsened medical conditions, and tragic deaths — all of which were entirely avoidable.

Warning Signs of a Medication Error

Family members are often the first to notice when something is wrong. If you suspect a loved one has been harmed due to medication issues, look out for:

• Sudden confusion, disorientation, or unusual behavior
• Unexplained changes in health or alertness
• Over-sedation or lethargy
• Missed or irregular medication doses listed on care records
• Increased falls or balance problems
• Hospitalization with no clear explanation

Don't ignore these red flags — they could signal serious negligence or improper care.

Root Causes Behind the Mistakes

Understanding what causes medication errors is the first step toward preventing them. In our investigations, we often uncover a pattern of systemic negligence, including:

• Staffing shortages – Overburdened nurses and aides are more likely to make critical mistakes
• Poor training – Inadequate understanding of medication protocols or elderly-specific dosing
• Sloppy record-keeping – Paper logs or outdated systems that allow errors to slip through
• Lack of supervision – Managers failing to enforce medication safety standards
• Profit-focused ownership – Cutting corners on pharmacy services or nurse staffing to boost revenue

These failures are not just accidents — they are violations of trust, safety, and the law.

Legal Tools to Fight Back

If a loved one has suffered due to a medication error, you may have grounds for legal action. At Michael Hill Trial Law, we use every tool available to hold facilities accountable and push for systemic change.

Our approach includes:

• Gathering pharmacy and medical records
• Interviewing staff members and reviewing shift logs
• Consulting with pharmacology and geriatric care experts
• Reviewing inspection reports and previous violations
• Filing claims under federal and state elder protection laws

Medication errors may be overlooked by facilities — but not by us.

How Families Can Help Protect Their Loved Ones

While families can’t monitor every pill given, there are steps you can take to lower the risk:

• Ask for a list of all prescribed medications and dosing schedules
• Request to see daily medication administration records (MARs)
• Visit at different times to observe care routines
• Ask staff about procedures for medication errors and follow-ups
• If anything seems wrong, speak up — and demand answers

Every question you ask could make a life-saving difference.

We’re Committed to Justice and Reform

Medication errors in nursing homes represent a dangerous breach of duty. At Michael Hill Trial Law, we believe that vulnerable seniors deserve dignity, safety, and careful medical oversight. When that standard is not met, we take action — not just for your family, but to protect every resident from preventable harm.

📞 Suspect a medication error? Don’t wait. Contact our team today for a free, confidential consultation. Together, we can pursue justice and push for better standards in nursing home care.