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Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton

All We Do is Injury Law

Toll-Free: 1-800-752-0042
Phone: 1-757-460-7776

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Before you talk to another prescription drug injury lawyer in Virginia, review this page and read our pertinent free consumer reports.

You're probably here because you or a loved one was seriously hurt by a prescription drug or medical device. We are here to help. Below are some frequently asked questions with answers supplied by experienced injury attorneys in Virginia:

I was injured by a product I purchased and had to see a doctor about my injury. Do I have a case?

If I pursue a defective product injury claim, what will be the likely argument from the defense?


I suffered an adverse reaction to a drug prescribed by my doctor. Do I have a case?


More dangerous drug/defective product FAQs


Our firm is experienced in handling defective product/dangerous drug injury cases. For proof, take a look at our case results. In addition, our firm has written extensively about certain dangerous drugs and devices. Here are just a few:

  • Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills - Side effects include gallstones, stroke, blood clots, symptoms of depression, a breast lump, sudden numbness, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance, chest pain, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, and sweating.
  • Hydroxycut fat loss supplement - Side effects include yellowing of the skin, liver damage, heart palpitations, and nausea.
  • Avandia diabetes prescription medication - Side effects include liver toxicity, severe chest pains, congestive heart failure, stroke, vision changes, trouble breathing, head ache, back ache, anemia, respiratory infections, and brittle bones in women.
  • Paxil antidepressant medication - Side effects include birth defects for women, respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability and constant crying.
  • Neurontin epilepsy drug - Side effects include back pain, changes in vision (double or blurred vision), constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, upset stomach,  vomiting and weight gain.
  • Fentanyl/Duragesic pain patch - Side effects include constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, exaggerated sense of well-being, headache, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness or anxiety, redness or discomfort on skin where patch is applied, sleeplessness, stomach pain or discomfort; sweating, and vomiting.
  • DePuy artificial hip recall - Health risks from the high failure rate of these metal-on-metal hip implants include soft tissue damage, bone loss, metal particles or debris in the body, severe pain, inflammation, difficulty walking, joint stress, anxiety, and the possibility of painful "revision surgery" to remove the defective hip and replace it with another.

As you can see, these drugs, devices and supplements are rife with terrible complications, side effects and can even be life threatening.

Defective and Faulty Product Claims
In addition to dangerous prescription drug issues, our faulty product lawyers help people who were the victims of defective consumer products like faulty car brakes and steering columns, children's strollers and toys, and so forth. Thousands of consumers are seriously injured every year by products that have not been properly manufactured, inspected or tested to insure that they will not cause serious injuries or even loss of life or death.  If you are seeking information about a product defect or an unsafe, dangerous consumer product, check out this page.



About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling cases for victims of dangerous drugs and prescription drug errors. Check out our dangerous drug information page to learn more about side effects and recalls. We represent clients in dangerous drug, dangerous medical device, and faulty product claims throughout the USA when the product/device was sold nationwide.

Our firm has been recognized as one of the best injury law firms in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report since 2010. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and have been recognized as the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro, Lewis and Appleton have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers are chosen to receive this honor.

In addition, our firm was the first in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.


While not every case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential injury case consultations. Call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can get back to you.

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