Injuries from Defective Drugs | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

According to national data, more than 131 million Americans take some form of prescription medication on a regular basis. That comes out to 65 percent of adults. The majority of these people one of five common chronic conditions — diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, and cancer — that they are taking these medications for.

More than 80 percent of American adults take over-the-counter (OTC) medications as their first choice when they are suffering some kind of ailment. In fact, it is estimated that at least 27 million people would not seek out any kind of treatment if OTC medications were not available.  

Unfortunately, despite the federal testing that is required before a drug is approved and put on the market, there are some medications that turn out to cause harm instead of helping the person taking it. When a person takes a defective medication, they can be left with serious side effects and injuries, as well as high medical bills and financial losses. A Virginia defective drug attorney can help these victims obtain financial compensation for the injuries they have suffered.

Duty of Care

The pharmaceutical industry in this country is referred to as “big pharma” for a reason – it takes in more than $480 billion every year. While many of these medications are lifesaving and help alleviate symptoms and help patients heal, there are far too many medications that have done harm to patients, sometimes fatal harm.

Every pharmaceutical company has a duty of care to ensure that the products they produce and sell are effective, safe, and meet the quality standards set by the federal government. The company also has a duty of care to disclose to the public any potential side effects the drug may have. If the company knows a drug has potential risks associated with its use and fails to warn doctors and consumers of those risks,  they may be held legally liable for any harm the drug causes. The following are some of the ways a drug may be deemed defective:

  • The drug was manufactured using the incorrect ingredients
  • The drug was manufactured using the incorrect amount of ingredients
  • The drug was manufactured using only inactive ingredients
  • The drug poses severe side effects

Potential Harm

When a person takes a drug that has a defect due to either their design, production, or marketing, there is a myriad of possible injuries they may suffer. Some of the more common include:

  • Birth defects
  • Blood clots
  • Brain damage
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Heart attack
  • Liver damage
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Stroke
  • Uncontrolled bleeding

If a consumer suffers harm from a defective drug, Virginia law allows them to pursue a product liability lawsuit against the party or parties responsible. Some of the damages that can be pursued include medical expenses, loss of income and benefits, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, permanent disability, and more.

Call Our Office Today

If you have been a victim of a defective or dangerous product, contact one of our Virginia defective drug attorneys to discuss what type of personal injury claim you may have. The legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp has been advocating for victims and their families for more than three decades. We have successfully represented many clients in obtaining the financial compensation they deserved. Find out how we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call our office today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

 

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