Product Liability Lawyer Charlottesville, VA
Sometimes we welcome advancements in medicine when it can cure an ailment or prolong someone’s life or alleviate pain. But what of those drugs that say they will prevent an illness or are pitched as a safeguard against harm? These new drugs are often aimed at the younger population as a means to a healthier life and older consumers as a way to regain lost youth. However, statistics show that there has been a huge surge in the number of drug recalls over the past few years.
If you or someone in your family have had a serious adverse reaction to a drug, seeking medical advice and legal advice, go together. A personal injury attorney has the expertise to know how to protect your legal interests and litigate for restorative justice.
New Drugs. New Exposure
Unfortunately, even though pharmaceutical companies may claim they have the best interests of patients at heart, there is a double-edged sword effect when the drug can do more harm than good. Is profit the driving force among these companies? Maybe. But what cannot be ignored are the thousands of patients becoming ill, often suffering harm and catastrophic injury due to a harmful drug.
Despite seemingly thorough laboratory testing and clinical trials, patents are often, in essence, guinea pigs for drugs new on the market. This is usually where the real side effects are revealed. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) issues recalls on a regular basis. They classify recalls based on the level of harm that could ensue with a “Class I recall being a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death”
Some examples of drugs that have been recalled due to serious and harmful side effects include:
- Antidepressants
- Contraceptives/ HPV prevention immunizations
- Diabetes medication thought to cause bladder cancer
- Drugs prescribed to alleviate signs of morning sickness or acne during the first trimester of a pregnancy
- Heart and cholesterol drugs
Contaminants
One reason for the increased surge in drug recalls involves the major issue with compounding pharmacies and the contamination of ingredients resulting in a tainted product and members of the public at large being harmed if it was ingested. Despite federal safeguards that are supposed to be in place to avoid this hazard, it still takes place.
Seek Legal Assistance
If a product remains on the market but is known to have serious side effects, the FDA requires the product to have a black box warning. These drugs alone are sometimes a red flag for real, potential side effects. Checking the FDA website for latest recalls is another way to stay proactive about a new drug regimen that your doctor may have prescribed to you.
If harm has resulted though, your best line of defense is personal injury attorney well versed in defective product litigation. A product liability lawyer Charlottesville, VA trusts at MartinWren, P.C. is an experienced litigator who can help you navigate your way through the legal system and potentially obtain monetary compensation for the harm you have endured. Call today.