Walker, IA asked in Personal Injury, Products Liability and Education Law for Iowa

Q: My son was given the wrong medicine at school.

My son is supposed to have guanfacine (non stimulant) at school, the nurse gave him someone else's medicine which was Ritalin 10mg (stimulant and a controlled substance) instead. Thankfully he was okay and only had a minor stomach ache. I talked to the principal and he was very dismissive about it. Should I make a police report as well? What steps should I take, if any? The nurse admitted she has been a nurse for 25 years and this has only happened 1 other time. Im not really looking to sue as I know I don't have a case but I want this reported and action taken. The principal told me he can't let me know what actions will be taken against the nurse.

1 Lawyer Answer

A: Let me start off by saying, "mistakes happen". And when there is no damage it is best to take the high road. The nurse is not perfect, none of us are. So ask yourself, who would you report it to, and what action might they be able to take? Then ask, why? The nurse has been a nurse for 25 years with only two errors. You have already spoken to the principal. In my mind, and I have been a lawyer for 44 years and I have sued over 1,000 times, but this is not a situation where I would recommend you do anything else.

Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer

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