Insulin is a life-saving medication for people with diabetes. But when it’s administered incorrectly, it can cause serious harm. An overdose of insulin can result in severe hypoglycemia, brain damage, coma, or even death. So, can an insulin overdose be the basis of a medical malpractice claim? The answer is: it depends on the circumstances.
What Constitutes Medical Malpractice?
To succeed in a medical malpractice claim, the patient (or their family) must prove that:
- A provider-patient relationship existed,
- The provider breached the standard of care,
- That breach caused injury or harm, and
- Damages resulted from the injury (e.g., medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering).
When an insulin overdose occurs, the key question is whether the healthcare provider acted negligently. That is, did they fail to provide the level of care a reasonably competent provider would have in the same situation?
If they did fail to provide reasonable care, then you may have the grounds for a malpractice claim.
Common Causes of Insulin Overdose in a Medical Setting
An insulin overdose may result from:
- Incorrect dosage prescribed or administered by a doctor or nurse,
- Failure to monitor the patient’s blood sugar levels after insulin administration,
- Miscommunication between providers (for example, double-dosing due to charting errors),
- Failure to adjust insulin in response to a patient’s eating patterns, other medications, or kidney/liver function, and
- Pharmacy or dispensing errors.
When these types of mistakes occur, and a patient is harmed, the provider or facility may be liable for medical malpractice.
What If the Patient Contributed to the Overdose?
Sometimes, insulin overdoses are caused by patients themselves. For example, a patient may take too much insulin accidentally at home or misunderstand specific dosing instructions.
In such cases, the law says that the patient is comparatively negligent for their injuries and compensation could be reduced by the patient’s own percentage of fault.
But, if a provider failed to educate or monitor a high-risk patient adequately, there could still be grounds for full compensation.
Proving Harm from an Insulin Overdose
Not every medical error results in a viable lawsuit. The harm must be measurable and substantial.
For instance, a mild episode of low blood sugar that was quickly corrected is likely not enough for a case.
But if the overdose led to seizures, brain damage, extended hospitalization, or death, the damages may be significant and the legal claim stronger.
When to Speak with a Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one suffered serious harm after an insulin overdose, it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. These cases are complex and often require expert medical testimony to prove negligence.
An attorney can evaluate:
- Medical records and provider notes,
- Insulin orders and administration logs,
- Monitoring and response protocols, and
- The severity and impact of the injury.
Contact Otorowski & Golden, PLLC
Please know that our firm is here to help if you were injured due to a medical provider’s malpractice. Otorowski & Golden, PLLC provides free consultations to all our potential clients. The attorneys at our law firm also have over 120 years of combined experience representing injured parties in medical malpractice cases. They never back down to insurers and fight for their clients’ interests every step of the way. Do yourself a favor and contact them now for the quality legal representation you deserve.