Parents' lawsuit claims pharmacy sickened Gig Harbor boy

A Pierce County sheriff’s deputy and his wife are suing a Gig Harbor pharmacy, claiming it twice gave their son incorrect dosages of medicine that made him very sick.

Darrell Cochran, attorney for Eric and Laura Carlson, filed the lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court earlier this week. The suit names Olympic Pharmacy and Healthcare Services as the sole defendant.

The Carlsons seek unspecified damages.

Jeff Bond, owner of Olympic Pharmacy, referred calls to his insurance carrier in Iowa. A representative there declined to comment.

The lawsuit contends Olympic Pharmacy is “an imminent public health danger” because it has not instituted procedures to prevent similar problems.

“Plaintiffs hope to help prevent future injuries to their friends and neighbors who rely on this pharmacy and to recover fair and just compensation for their injuries,” the suit states.

The Carlsons contend Olympic Pharmacy in 2009 and 2011 improperly filled their son’s seizure medication, giving him too much of the medication both times.

The first time the pharmacy loaded eight doses of a drug called Lorazepam in a single syringe instead of single doses in eight syringes, the suit states. The boy lapsed into unconsciousness and was hospitalized with hallucinations.

Laura Carlson later called the pharmacy and was assured it would change it procedures to prevent another mishap, according to the lawsuit.

Cochran said in an interview the Carlsons decided to give Olympic Pharmacy a second chance, as they and other relatives had used it for years.

Last June, the boy had another troubling reaction after he took anti-seizure pills dispensed by Olympic Pharmacy, according to the suit. He spent time in the intensive-care unit of a local hospital as a result.

The Carlsons contend the pharmacy mistakenly filled the boy’s prescription with 600 mg pills instead of the 300 mg pills ordered by his doctor.

The couple claims Olympic Pharmacy was negligent in hiring, training and supervising the staff members who dispensed the medications.

The negligence inflicted emotional distress on the Carlson, “who for multiple days had to watch their son suffer in intensive car units, wondering whether he would survive, wondering if he would suffer a lifelong disability,” the suit states.

The couple also alleges Olympic Pharmacy violated the Consumer Protection Act.

“Plaintiffs also seek all damages afforded by statute, including treble damages, fees and costs as afforded by the Consumer Protection Act,” the lawsuit states.

Cochran said in an interview that the boy, now 13, has not suffered any apparent long-term effects, “but it will be a constant fear for both him and his family.”

“Every time there is some unusual change in behavior, the family worries about the overdose being a contributing factor,” he said.

Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644
adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/crime Twitter: @TNTadam

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Parents' lawsuit claims pharmacy sickened Gig Harbor boy