Although medication must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being sold in the United States, drug injuries from both prescription and over-the-counter medicines can occur.
In some cases, defective medicines cause harm. In others, unclear warning labels or instructions fail to provide important information to patients. Medications can also be mishandled or mislabeled at the pharmacy.
When to File a Drug Injury Lawsuit
If an injury such as a serious reaction, side effect, or even death could have been prevented, it might be eligible for a drug injury lawsuit. In most cases, one of the following is held accountable: drug manufacturers, physicians, or pharmacists.
A drug injury lawsuit may help recover damages for current/future medical expenses, lost income, or diminished quality of life due to a permanent injury.
Long Term Effects
Sometimes medications that were approved and widely used are shown to have negative side effects. For example, Pfizer’s Lipitor is prescribed to help millions of Americans manage their cholesterol. It has since been linked to medical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, liver damage, and memory loss. Patients have filed lawsuits alleging that Pfizer failed to adequately warn them about dangers associated with this common drug.
GlaxoSmithKline’s Paxil is an SSRI that has been linked to suicide, birth defect, and withdrawal, despite being marketed as non-habit-forming. The company paid billions in fines for fraudulently marketing several products, including Paxil.
If you or a loved one is taking a prescription drug and suffering from symptoms or adverse effects, it is important to talk to your doctor. If you have suffered from an injury due to a prescription drug, call the lawyers at Schuerman Law to learn how to get the justice and compensation you deserve. Call 1-800-274-0045 to schedule your free consultation today.
