In the United States, more than 14,500 specialized drug treatment facilities provide counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, case management, and other types of services to persons with substance use disorders.
 
Many times today, drug abuse and addiction is now looked at more like an illness than a criminal offence. More and more often those involved are not the people you would expect to be struggling. There is the realization at some point that something must be done to intervene. While many of these drug treatment facilities are very reputable and provide solutions and help, there is relatively little regulations for the centers.  Without regulations and good accountability, the possibility of criminal negligence grows.

Since there is no official definition for what constitutes a rehab facility, it is not surprising that the government also lacks clear standards for what should transpire during one’s time there. Because the definition is so obscure, almost any organization can call itself a rehab facility simply by maintaining that it helps people to recover from addictions.
 
With many of these drug treatment centers being for-profit and relying more on marketing than success for their residents, one can  understand why incurring serious injury – whether through reckless behavior, intentional acts, or negligent conduct – while at a treatment center is not uncommon.
 
Injuries while at a treatment center often occur due to negligence. The center and its employees have a duty of care that they fail to uphold.

Common acts of treatment center negligence that cause these injuries include the following:

• A doctor prescribes the wrong medication or dosage;
• A doctor prescribes medication that negatively interacts with the patient’s current prescriptions;
• A nurse or other treatment center employee administers the wrong amount of medication;
• The patient suffers drug/alcohol withdrawal symptoms and the center fails to provide the appropriate care; or
• The center fails to take care of the facility and a patient slips and falls.

If you or a loved one has been injured while at a rehab facility or treatment center, you should not have to bear the burden of someone else’s negligence.
Since the standard of care for drug treatment centers is often vague and debatable, those who have had loved ones who have been neglected and who possibly have died, need a legal resource so they can be compensated and the facility can be held accountable. 
 
By filing a personal injury lawsuit you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Foreseeable medical expenses for future care
• Lost wages
• Physical pain
• Mental suffering
• Egregious conduct (punitive damages)

 
If you or a loved one has been injured while at a rehab facility or treatment center, you should not have to bear the burden of someone else’s negligence.
 
Those who know the team at Lowe Dreesen Miller, know that we are experienced and professional in this area of the law. We understand the immense physical, mental, and financial impact that the negligence of your treatment center can have on you and your family. That’s why we will work hard to help you obtain the compensation that you deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation, contact us today.