The overuse of pain medication has been a growing problem in the United States, and doctors that are willing to continue writing prescriptions for pain medication for their patients are part of the problem.  Some pain medications such as Oxycodone and Methadone are highly addictive, and patients prescribed these medications should be closely monitored.  These medications are classified as narcotic medications and should only be used by the patient as needed.

    Prescriptions for narcotic medications should be limited in both quantity of pills per prescription and the number of refills allowed.  However, some patients develop an addiction to these medications and some doctors will continue to prescribe these medications to the detriment of their patients.  The lure of the money to be made by prescribing these medications becomes more important than the health and well-being of the patient.  Sadly, there have been reports of patient deaths due to overdoses of highly potent prescription medications such as Fentanyl and Morphine among others.

    When a doctor continues to prescribe powerful pain medications to patients well beyond the reasonable time the patient should need the medication, the doctor is acting in a negligent manner.  Doctors should be aware of the signs and red flags associated with prescription drug use and should be unwilling to enable the patient in his or her abuse of prescription medications.  For a doctor to do otherwise is to act negligently and carelessly with the health of another.

    Prescription medications are designed to give relief to victims suffering from ailments and diseases, and if the medications are used for any other purpose it is an abuse and misuse of the medication.  When doctors facilitate a patient's drug use by continuing to supply the patient with the prescription medication, the doctor may be held liable for any resulting injuries to the patient.   Additionally, if the patient dies as a result of the overuse of these prescription medications, the doctor may be held liable for the patient's wrongful death.

    When a patient or their family files a medical malpractice claim against a doctor, the patient or his or her family may be awarded financial remuneration by the court if they have a valid malpractice claim.  Generally, patients or their families are compensated for wages lost due to the patient being unable to work, medical expenses for hospital stays and medical services, and for the patient or their family's physical and emotional pain and suffering.  Even if the patient is unsure of whether or not they have a valid medical malpractice claim, it would be in their best interests to contact an attorney for a consultation to review the facts of the case.

    Those that live in Maryland or Washington D.C. and have questions regarding their medical malpractice claim or would like to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney should contact the law firm of Robinson and Associates.  The attorneys employed by Robinson and Associates are medical malpractice experts and can provide residents of Maryland and Washington D.C. with the legal counsel and advice they need.