Whether it is sold over the counter or is prescribed by a physician, every medication and medical product sold in the United States must first go through rigorous testing to identify all possible dangerous effects it might have on consumers. However, numerous defective drugs slip through the cracks every year and end up causing preventable harm to people.
To increase your chances of a positive outcome after pursuing a claim against a pharmaceutical company, first contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. With support from a College Park dangerous drugs lawyer, you can increase your odds of achieving a favorable case result. Childers, Schlueter & Smith handles many different dangerous drug case types, and may be able to assist you. Give us a call for a free consultation.
Who Could Be Liable for a Defective Medication?
Federal law requires every new drug pharmaceutical companies intend to sell in the United States be proven safe and effective before it is put on the market. However, there are several loopholes that can allow such products to be sold without thorough testing. One example is the 510k process, which is a streamlined approval process for products billed as effectively identical to other FDA-approved products already being sold.
However, even if the FDA does approve a drug which later turns out to be dangerous, the company which manufactured and/or sold the drug could be held liable for damage caused by a defect which existed when the product left their direct control. This could include problems with:
- The product’s basic design that could have been fixed with a cost-effective alternative
- Mistakes or contamination that occur during production
- Failure to list all known side effects or other errors on the product’s packaging
Our skilled College Park dangerous drugs attorney can help build a case against any of this type of negligence.
Seeking Compensation with Other Plaintiffs
There are many side effects which could be used as evidence of a design, manufacturing, or packaging defect. Some of the most common side effects or evidence of contamination are:
- Excessive bleeding
- Depression
- Severe weight gain or loss
- Vomiting
- Blisters, rashes, and burning sensations
- Cancer diagnosis
- Wrongful death
Even if someone can demonstrate a drug was defective, it is much more difficult to fight the legal teams that large pharmaceutical industries provide and come to a fair settlement.
Achieving success for a defective drug claim almost always requires joining with other people who were hurt in similar ways by the same dangerous product in a process known as mass tort litigation. A College Park defective drugs lawyer can determine if mass tort claims are possible and what that means for the plaintiff.
Work with a College Park Dangerous Drugs Attorney
Any civil lawsuit made against a pharmaceutical corporation requires an experienced legal professional. Fortunately, a College Park dangerous drugs lawyer can assist you. Schedule a free consultation to learn if we can assist with your potential case.
