Dangerous Drug Attorneys

In 2012, the top 11 global drug companies reported net profits of almost $85 billion. These drug companies made money by selling thousands of different pills and medications to consumers, in some cases by over-promising and under-delivering. Some new drugs on the market today don’t provide new solutions to health problems, but instead are slight tweaks to older medications with few new benefits – and many unexpected risks. Drug recalls have become far too common in the United States, with a total of 1,734 drug recalls occurring from 2004 to 2011.

Each of these recalled drugs could have caused hundreds or thousands of patients to experience severe side effects such as:

• Birth defects
• Potentially fatal blood-clotting problems
• Strokes
• Heart attacks
• Death

Not every dangerous drug is recalled either, with many medications still on the market despite mounting studies showing that the drugs aren’t safe. If you or a loved one took prescription or over-the-counter medication and suffered unexpected side effects or were harmed by the use of the drug, you may have a right to compensation from the drug maker. At The Maher Law Firm, our experienced Orlando defective drug lawyers can help you pursue the compensation you deserve and hold responsible parties accountable.

About Lawsuits Over Defective Drugs

Product liability laws apply to defective drug cases, so manufacturers may be held strictly liable for harm caused by dangerous drugs. This means plaintiffs may not be required to prove that a drug manufacturer was negligent in its design or manufacture of the dangerous medication in order to be compensated. When you pursue a claim against a drug manufacturer, you may be compensated for all losses caused by the dangerous medication.

This may include compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• The wrongful death of a close relative

Many dangerous drug cases involve thousands of injured people. These plaintiffs may consolidate their personal injury cases into one lawsuit, referred to as a class action. In a class-action lawsuit, each plaintiff gives up control over his or her own case by joining together with other claimants who suffered similar harm.

Multi-District Litigation (MDL)

Dangerous drug lawsuits may also be consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL). In an MDL, each case remains a separate claim and plaintiffs retain more control over their case outcome. However, claims from multiple courts are consolidated under one judge, who is then able to make decisions on issues that affect all pending cases, which can make the process quicker and more efficient.

Before you join a class action or an MDL, it is important to speak with a defective drug lawyer to learn about your rights and to determine the best approach to maximize your compensation for your losses.

What to Do If You’ve Suffered an Adverse Reaction to a Medication

If you have suffered an adverse reaction to a dangerous medication, we recommend that you take the following steps:

• Seek prompt medical help
• Document all side effects that you experience and all treatments necessary as a result
• Keep the medication that caused your adverse reaction, and report the incident to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which keeps a database of adverse drug reactions.
• Speak with an attorney as soon as you can. An attorney can help you determine whether you have a claim for damages and help you build a case.

Although you may not be required to prove negligence in a defective drug claim due to strict-liability rules, you must show that the drug caused harm. Drug manufacturers often deny that there is a clear link between the medication and the health problems patients suffer. Expert testimony, the results of medical studies, FDA warnings and recalls, and medical records may all be necessary to rebut that argument.

Our Dangerous Drug Lawyers Can Help You

At The Maher Law Firm, our product liability attorneys have aggressively represented personal injury victims since our practice’s establishment in 1969. If you or a loved one has suffered severe side effects as a result of a dangerous drug, we can help you recover the compensation you deserve. We will assist you with all aspects of a defective drug claim, from evaluating whether you have a case, investigating your claim to negotiating a settlement or proving your case in court. We do not charge for legal services unless and until we recover compensation for you.