Dangerous Drug Attorney in Pittsburgh

There is no question that pharmaceuticals have benefitted the world in numerous ways. Various medications are available to treat illnesses today that weren’t on the market several decades ago. These medications have proven to be pivotal for aiding people in their recovery from illnesses like pneumonia and diabetes.

However, several hazardous drugs are also available that cause more damage than relief. Dangerous drugs often have side effects that cause new damage or illness. They may be FDA-approved, but when consumers take the drugs to treat certain conditions, they experience severe or fatal side effects.

Some of the known pharmaceuticals that have serious side effects include:

Paxil

Paxil is prescribed for people with mood disorders, depression, and anxiety — side effects of the drug include an increased risk of violent behavior or suicide.

Hydroxycut 

Hydroxycut is an over-the-counter supplement that promotes weight loss — when used extensively, it may result in liver damage.

Celebrex 

Celebrex is an over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that helps treat pain and inflammation — individuals who take Celebrex have an enhanced risk of heart attack or stroke.

Crestor

Crestor is a prescription drug that helps lower harmful cholesterol levels — recipients face an increased risk of developing liver damage, diabetes, and muscle disorders.

Risperdal

Risperdal is available for patients who have schizophrenia and carries an increased risk of developing gynecomastia or diabetes or suffering from a stroke.

Accutane 

Accutane clears up difficult-to-treat cases of acne; however, users have a higher risk of developing depression or committing suicide.

Many other drugs have the potential to cause severe side effects. Some known examples include:

• Acetaminophen
• Advair
• Baycol
• Bendectin
• Crestor
• Ephedra
• Fentanyl
• Fosamax
• Lamisil
• Lipitor
• Oxycontin
• Parlodel
• Rezulin
• Serzone
• Viagra
• Vioxx
• Yaz
• Zyban
• Zyprexa

These medications treat various conditions, including pain and inflammation, allergies, fungal infections, high cholesterol, Parkinson’s disease, and mental illness.

You'll want legal assistance if you’re suffering from side effects or a new condition brought on by taking a dangerous drug. A dangerous drug lawyer will review the circumstances of your case and compile evidence to prove that the medication you took caused your injuries. 

It’s not easy to win a dangerous drug case. Pharmaceutical companies spend millions on protecting themselves from potential lawsuits. To recover damages in a dangerous drug lawsuit, you’ll need to connect your losses to the pharmaceutical you took. 

At Morgan and Morgan, we develop a case strategy to prove that the pharmaceutical company is responsible for your injuries. We’ll attempt to show the manufacturer was negligent in any of the following ways:

Errors in Manufacturing

Sometimes, pharmaceutical companies make mistakes when manufacturing a drug. Substances introduced in the manufacturing process cause sickness or illness. These ingredients aren’t supposed to be part of the medication, but pharmaceutical companies accidentally mix them in. 

Manufacturing errors may affect a small batch of medications, or the impact may be more extensive, affecting millions of pills. 

A dangerous drug lawyer will submit your medication for testing to determine whether accidental ingredients are present in the drug. 

Severe Side Effects

When a pharmaceutical company submits a new drug for FDA approval, it must put the medication through numerous trials to identify potential side effects. However, sometimes pharmaceutical companies limit their testing and mislead the FDA concerning the side effects of a new drug.

If the medication treats an illness that doesn’t have many prescription options, the FDA is under extra pressure to approve it and make the drug available to consumers.

However, unsuspecting consumers who take the medication may suffer unwanted side effects. A dangerous drug lawyer in Pittsburgh can assist you in proving the manufacturer knew or should have known of the side effects. Under the law, manufacturers are strictly liable for injuries caused by pharmaceuticals.

Improper Marketing

Sometimes, the pharmaceutical company fails to provide appropriate warnings or instructions concerning a medication. If the consumer follows the lacking instructions and suffers side effects, the pharmaceutical company is liable for their losses. 

Other times, a physician may prescribe a medication for an off-label purpose. If the patient takes medicine for a reason not approved by the FDA, the physician may be responsible for the patient's side effects.

Consumers expect that the FDA will disapprove drugs deemed to have dangerous side effects. However, sometimes the FDA doesn’t have the appropriate information to decide. When under pressure to get medication on the market, the pharmaceutical agent may not give the FDA the information it needs to make an informed decision.

The FDA requires pharmaceutical companies to self-report cases of severe side effects from using the medication. Pharmaceutical companies must also tell the FDA if there are concerns about manufacturing defects or contamination. 

However, sometimes pharmaceutical companies don’t do the right thing. They may downplay side effects or fail to test new medications adequately. 

When the pharmaceutical company reports concerns about medications to the FDA, the FDA doesn’t automatically remove them from the market. Instead, the FDA may require additional studies or tests before taking any action. 

It may be several years before the FDA receives results from the tests. In the meantime, thousands of patients may continue taking the dangerous drug, resulting in more people experiencing adverse side effects.

Side effects from dangerous drugs vary. Some people experience mild symptoms that go away after the patient stops taking the medication. Other patients suffer side effects that alter the quality of their life. In some cases, side effects are fatal.

Potential side effects from a dangerous drug include:

• Blood clots
• Heart attack or heart failure
• Kidney and liver damage
• Gallbladder disease
• Increased risk of developing cancer
• Vision loss
• Pulmonary embolism
• An adverse reaction from taking the pharmaceutical with other medications

A dangerous drug lawyer in Pittsburgh can review your side effects and speak with medical experts to determine the appropriate course of action. 

It can be dangerous to stop taking medications immediately, even if experiencing severe side effects. Consult a physician to determine the safest way to cease taking a drug you suspect is dangerous.

Most patients notice some side effects whenever they start taking a new medication. Side effects often disappear once the patient becomes acclimated to the drug. 

However, if your physician informs you of potential side effects and they don’t go away within a week or two, the medication may be dangerous for you. Look out for the following symptoms of a potentially hazardous drug:

• Changes in sleep patterns
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Mood changes
• Sudden weight gain or loss
• Lack of interest in food
• Aggressiveness or depression

The drug may be dangerous if you notice any of these side effects. Seek the advice of a physician to determine whether you should stop taking it.

The doctor or pharmacist may be responsible for your side effects. Your physician should have access to your medical records. Your medical records should highlight your current medical conditions, medications you currently take, and any allergies you have. 

If the doctor prescribes a drug that isn’t advisable for people with your condition or history of allergies, they may be liable for a lawsuit. 

Pharmacists may be responsible for your injuries if they give you the wrong prescription or provide instructions to take an incorrect dosage. Pharmacists must also review your current medications to ensure the drug won’t negatively interact with them.

You might sue a doctor or pharmacist for medical malpractice if their negligence led to serious side effects from a medication.

Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and medical malpractice cases. The statute of limitations starts when you experience adverse side effects from dangerous medication. 

While you have some time to file a claim, you’ll want to start the process as soon as possible. Your attorney will need time to assemble the facts of your case, speak with medical experts, and submit your medication for testing. 

Many people continue to take dangerous drugs even if they cause side effects. They believe the side effects will disappear once their body adjusts to the medication. 

However, side effects can worsen and not get better. If you notice severe side effects, it’s best to seek medical assistance immediately.

People who suffer injuries from a dangerous drug can obtain different types of compensation for their losses. Typically, the value of your damages will depend on the severity of your injuries.

You may receive compensation for past and future medical expenses associated with your use of the drug, lost wages, and household expenses while recovering from your injuries. In some cases, you may receive damages for mental pain and anguish, significant change in your quality of life, and the injuries themselves. 

Suppose that you are filing a claim for wrongful death on behalf of a family member who died from the side effects of medication. In that case, you can receive remuneration for funeral or burial expenses, pain and suffering, and the loss of companionship or parental guidance.

A dangerous drug lawyer in Pittsburgh can help you determine the value of your case.

Morgan & Morgan is the nation’s largest personal injury firm. We’ve helped thousands of people recover compensation in personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. If you’re the victim of a dangerous drug, you’ll need an experienced attorney who can help you stand up against massive pharmaceutical giants to prove your case.

To get started with your dangerous drug lawsuit, contact our office to schedule a free case review. We’ll help you establish your claim and determine who is liable for your injuries.