Overdose of Pain Medication Following Knee Surgery

Our client was a 53-year-old man who needed knee replacement surgery. He went to an orthopedic surgeon who did a same-day procedure. Postoperatively, he was required to have a home health nurse come to the house to evaluate him. He took his pain medication as prescribed. Our client started adversely reacting to the medication. He began sweating, hallucinating, he was less alert and groggy. The doctor’s office was called and the family was informed to skip a medication cycle. He went to sleep and never woke up. The patient had been given Norco and Hydrocodone which was contraindicated with his heart condition and sleep apnea. Our client was survived by his wife and two adult children.