Every day, millions of people rely on prescription medications to manage symptoms and make their lives easier. Unfortunately, defective drugs can cause patients serious injuries or death. When patients purchase prescription or over-the-counter drugs, they put their health and lives in the hands of the companies that manufacture them. When defective drugs cause injuries and illnesses, victims may have a right to pursue compensation.
At Dell & Dean, PLLC, we work diligently to advocate for victims of defective drugs. We understand how devastating drug injuries can be and how these injuries can negatively affect an individual’s health and well-being. Our legal team will protect your rights by pursuing fair compensation from the negligent party or parties who caused your injuries. Drug injury lawsuits can be complex, and the sooner you reach out to an attorney, the greater your likelihood of successfully recovering compensation.
What is a Defective Drug?
Drug manufacturers are responsible for adequately and thoroughly testing the drugs they manufacture. These manufacturers earn billions in global revenue and are incentivized to get their products to market as quickly as possible. They may downplay the adverse side effects or use new ingredients that haven’t been rigorously tested. In the end, it’s always the patients who suffer because they don’t have all of the information about the drug’s safety or possible risks.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency that sets forth guidelines drug manufacturers must meet before they can legally sell their products on the market. The FDA requires drug manufacturers to list consumer warnings and potential side effects on labels to alert patients of the risks. None of these approvals, however, ensure a drug will be completely safe.
When doctors and patients report adverse symptoms, the FDA has the authority to issue a recall. They may require the manufacturer to stop selling the drug, change the formula, or require additional warnings. Unfortunately, many drug injury victims can become seriously injured from the drug’s negative side effects before the FDA issues a recall. Consumer advocates have labeled the FDA’s drug recall process ineffective and haphazard. The FDA typically relies on drug manufacturers to self-report serious problems, such as:
- Contamination
- Lack of sterility in manufacturing
- Manufacturing defects
- Increased risk of serious health complications
Drug Injuries Caused by Doctors or Pharmacists
In addition to drug manufacturers, negligent doctors, and pharmacists can cause patients to suffer injury or death. Doctors and pharmacists play an equally important role in keeping patients safe. Specifically, doctors have a legal duty to prescribe and administer medication to patients that will not cause patients to become injured.
When doctors fail to take a complete medical history, they may prescribe medication that will harmfully interact with another medication. Doctors may prescribe the wrong medication or dosage, causing the patient to become injured. Pharmacists may make an error in the type of medication or provide a patient with an incorrect dosage. These negligent actions can pose serious harm to patients in addition to their underlying medical condition.
Examples of Defective Drugs
Just because the FDA approves a medication does not mean it is safe for everyone. Some medications are on the market and prescribed to patients for years before the full extent of their negative side effects is discovered. Any type of prescription medication has the potential to be dangerous and cause drug injuries. However, some categories of drugs are more likely to be dangerous or defective than others. The following drugs have been involved in recent litigation related to drug injuries:
- Antidepressants, including Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Lexapro (escitalopram)
- Blood clot and stroke prevention medications, including Pradaxa (dabigatran), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), and Plavix (clopidogrel)
- Cholesterol medications, including Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin)
- Birth control medications and devices, including Yaz, Ortho Evra, NuvaRing, and Yasmin
- Medication for low T (testosterone, including hormone replacement therapies that can result in strokes, pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks, or death
The Damaging Effects of Defective Drugs
A wide range of adverse effects can occur when a patient takes a medication with hazardous ingredients or causes severe adverse reactions. Similarly, when a person takes medication that isn’t intended for a patient with their medical history or treatment plan, their condition may worsen. The result of defective drugs can result in severe injuries, illness, and even death. Defective drugs can cause many different types of medical conditions, including, but not limited to, the following:
- High blood pressure
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Depression and anxiety
- Stroke
- Increased likelihood of suicide
- Pulmonary embolism
- Gallbladder disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Vision loss, retinal maculopathy
- Adverse reactions with other drugs
- Death
Experienced Advocacy in Defective Drug Lawsuits
Many drug injuries can permanently alter a person’s life and cause them to become disabled and unable to return to work or engage in day-to-day activities they once loved. Large pharmaceutical companies show little regard for the significant damage their defective drugs cause. Dell & Dean, PLLC is prepared to stand up to the pharmaceutical companies who pose life-threatening medical conditions to unsuspecting patients.
We have successfully represented clients in various claims arising from negligently designed or manufactured drugs. Pharmaceutical companies have teams of attorneys ready to defend them and prevent victims from recovering the compensation they need and deserve. When you work with an experienced legal team, you will level the playing field. Dell & Dean, PLLC has recovered millions in compensation for drug-injured clients.
Contact a Defective Drug Attorney in New York
There is no denying the value of life-improving modern pharmaceuticals, but some drugs have caused serious injury or even death, resulting in devastating consequences. Have you or your loved one suffered an injury after taking a defective drug? You will benefit from working with an experienced attorney. Dell & Dean, PLLC is here to help. From the initial investigation into your case through settlement negotiations or trials, our attorneys will help you navigate drug injury litigation to maximize your compensation. Contact Dell & Dean, PLLC to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Dell & Dean, PLLC handles claims throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island as well as the boroughs of New York City, and the surrounding areas.
