Psychiatric evidence in medication error claims
Independent psychiatric opinion on errors in prescribing, dispensing, monitoring or stopping medication, and on the psychiatric harm they caused, for claimant, defendant and single joint expert instructions. Free initial screening call and fixed fees with no hidden charges.
- APIL Tier 1 Recommended Expert
- Claimant, defendant and SJE
- Structured for CPR Part 35
When a medication error causes psychiatric harm
Some medication error claims concern psychiatric medicines, such as lithium toxicity after missed blood tests or an antidepressant stopped abruptly. Others concern a medicine prescribed for a physical condition that caused a psychiatric reaction, or an error that led to an injury with psychiatric consequences.
Dr Pradhan gives the psychiatric opinion on what went wrong, where that falls within psychiatric practice, and on the harm: the diagnosis, how much of it the error caused rather than the underlying illness, the treatment needed and the prognosis.
Dr Pradhan is an APIL Tier 1 recommended expert and is dual-accredited for claimant and defendant work.
Errors commonly reviewed
Medication error claims with a psychiatric element commonly involve:
- Prescribing errors: the wrong drug, dose or patient
- Dispensing errors in a pharmacy, and administration errors on a ward
- Toxicity after blood tests were missed or not acted on
- Psychiatric medicines stopped abruptly
- Psychiatric reactions to medicines for physical conditions
- Medicines continued long after a review was due
- Side effects not recognised or acted on
- Large supplies prescribed to a patient at risk of self-harm
- Risks and alternatives not explained
- Interactions between psychiatric and other medicines
- The psychiatric harm caused, as distinct from the illness
- Treatment needs, prognosis and joint statements
Send a short note of the medicines involved, the allegations and the relevant dates, and Dr Pradhan will say whether the issues fall within her expertise and, if they do, confirm a fixed fee.
Submit an enquiryWho answers which question
A medication claim may need more than one expert. Dr Pradhan will say at the outset which questions are hers.
Psychiatric prescribing
Prescribing and monitoring by psychiatrists and mental health services are within her expertise. Prescribing by a GP or another specialist is for an expert in that field.
Dispensing
Whether a pharmacy made an error is for a pharmacy expert. Dr Pradhan addresses the psychiatric consequences.
Physical harm
Kidney, thyroid or other physical damage is for the relevant medical expert.
Psychiatric harm
The diagnosis, how much of it the error caused, treatment needs and prognosis, whoever made the error.
Medication errors and the standard of care
Whether a prescriber was negligent is judged by the practice of a responsible body of practitioners in the same field at the time, with reference to the guidance then in force, including safety alerts and the GMC’s guidance on prescribing. A breach is not enough on its own: the claimant must show, on the balance of probabilities, that the error caused the harm claimed.
Where the claim is that a risk was not explained, the question is whether the patient was told of the material risks and reasonable alternatives, and what they would have decided if they had been. For claims in England and Wales the report is structured for CPR Part 35; reports for Scotland and Northern Ireland are prepared to the requirements of those courts.
Some medicines prescribed for physical conditions, including steroids, can cause mood changes, psychosis or suicidal thoughts. Where such a reaction was missed or the risk not explained, the report addresses the psychiatric side of the claim.
Related pages
Medication error questions
If your question is not answered here, call and Dr Pradhan will advise on scope and timescale.
Call 0121 752 6065The error was made by a pharmacy. Can Dr Pradhan help?
Yes, on the psychiatric harm. The standard of the dispensing is for a pharmacy expert; Dr Pradhan assesses the psychiatric injury and how much of it the error caused.
A medicine for a physical condition caused depression or psychosis. Is that within scope?
Yes. She assesses the psychiatric reaction, how long it lasted, its effect on the claimant and the prognosis. Whether the medicine should have been prescribed is for an expert in the prescriber’s field.
The patient was given a large supply of medication while at risk of self-harm. Is that a medication claim?
It can be, and it is usually also a question of risk assessment. Where the prescriber was a psychiatrist or a mental health service, the report addresses the decision against the risk known at the time.
What are the fees for a medication error report?
Fixed fees with no hidden charges, confirmed once Dr Pradhan has seen a short note of the medicines involved and the allegations. Flexible or deferred payment terms are available where appropriate.
How long does a report take?
Condition and prognosis reports are usually ready 1–2 weeks from assessment. Reports on the prescribing itself depend on the volume of records, and the timescale is confirmed at the outset.
Instruct Dr Pradhan on a medication error claim
Send a short note of the medicines involved and the allegations, the funding route and any limitation or hearing dates.
- Phone0121 752 6065
- Emailinfo@
doctorpradhan.co.uk - Consulting Rooms NationwideAbacus Court, Harborne, Birmingham B17 0HH
Please do not include medical records or a detailed personal history in this form. Dr Pradhan will confirm how to send the papers once the instruction is agreed.
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If the matter is urgent, call 0121 752 6065.