Can Overprescription Be a Sign of Medical Malpractice?
The Florida Department of Health has accused Dr. Edward Neil Feldman, a pain management physician, of dispensing potentially lethal strengths and quantities of pain medications like oxycodone, muscle relaxers like Soma, and anti-anxiety drugs like Valium to patients. Dr. Feldman was recently indicted in three drug-related deaths and charged with hiding a $6,000,000 conspiracy.
In one instance, a man was prescribed 680 oxycodone pills in 38 days, averaging to roughly 17 pills a day. He died of a fatal overdose. While the total number of overdose victims are not exactly known, so far at least 15 of Feldman’s patients have died from toxic levels of oxycodone, and other combinations of drugs.
In order for prosecutors to pin the blame on Feldman for medical malpractice, they must show in court that if not for Feldman’s actions, the overdose victims would still be living. If the drugs are proven to have been prescribed for illegitimate purposes, the doctor faces a minimum of 20 years in prison.
What Can I Do If a Loved One Died from a Prescription Drug Overdose?
A loved one’s death is never easy, especially when it is something that could have been prevented. If you suspect that your loved one was overmedicated or perhaps prescribed the wrong medications and died as a result, contact a Tampa Bay medical malpractice attorney to learn more about your options.
Shapiro Law Group – Medical Malpractice Attorneys Serving the Tampa Bay Area
Did You Know?: Oxycodone was synthesized with the intent of creating a drug with similar effects to morphine and heroin with less dependency.
