Are you experiencing adverse side effects from a prescription medication? If so, you're not alone. Every year, millions of Americans are injured by dangerous or defective drugs, leading to serious health problems and even death. Fortunately, there are drug injury lawyers you can trust to help you get the compensation you deserve.
At Peterson & Associates, P.C., we have a team of national dangerous drug lawyers who are standing by to help you with your case. We bring exceptional insight from our proven history of claims success, having collected $500+ million for our clients. You can count on us to aggressively advocate for your right to compensation.
Understanding the Dangers of Pharmaceutical Drugs
Over four billion prescriptions are written each year in the U.S. However, pharmaceutical companies spend 19 times as much on marketing and advertising as they spend on basic research and development.
The potential for the drugs to be dangerous is seen in the fact that pharmaceutical companies have shifted their focus from treating patients to improving their bottom line. When drug use is driven by profit, companies can minimize side effects and overestimate potential benefits.
Your doctor can also prescribe a medication for "off-label" use or to treat a condition for which the drug has not been approved to treat. Three-quarters of all off-label pharmaceutical use is not supported by sound evidence or research and can compound the problems created by inadequately labeled medication. It's important to be aware of these dangers so you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
Some of the potential dangers associated with improper use of prescription medication include:
- Physical harm. Some dangerous drugs can cause physical harm to patients, such as organ damage, nerve damage, heart problems, or strokes.
- Psychological harm. Certain drugs can cause psychological harm to patients, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
- Birth defects. Some drugs can cause birth defects in babies when taken by pregnant women.
- Drug interactions. Dangerous drugs can interact with a patient's other medications, leading to adverse reactions or complications.
How Companies Can Be Held Liable for Dangerous Drugs
If you've been injured by a dangerous or defective drug, you may be entitled to compensation.
Pharmaceutical companies are legally responsible for ensuring that their drugs are safe, meet FDA standards, and warn patients of any risks or side effects.
A pharmaceutical company is often held liable based on defects, inadequate warnings, or misleading marketing. The following is a brief overview:
- Defects. Pharmaceutical companies can be held liable for injuries caused by product defects. These defects may include manufacturing defects, design defects, or labeling defects.
- Inadequate warnings. Pharmaceutical companies have a legal obligation to provide adequate warnings about their products' potential risks and side effects. If a drug has dangerous side effects that were not adequately disclosed to patients or their doctors, the company may be held liable for any resulting injuries or harm.
- Misleading marketing. Pharmaceutical companies may be held liable for injuries caused by deceptive marketing practices. This may include advertising a drug for unapproved uses or making false claims about the effectiveness or safety of a drug.
Less commonly, failure to conduct proper testing is the basis of liability. Before a drug is released to the market, the pharmaceutical company must conduct thorough testing to ensure its safety and efficacy. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any harm caused by the drug.