St. Tammany Parish Dangerous Drugs Lawyer
In recent years, life-saving medications have become more widespread and more effective, but sometimes, those life-saving medications are dangerous, causing harm or even death. If you have suffered severe side effects from medications or were otherwise injured by medication, contact a St. Tammany Parish Dangerous Drugs lawyer to learn what compensation might be available to you. By working with a dedicated personal injury attorney, you may be able to recover compensation to cover hospital bills, lost wages from work during your recuperation, and even the pain and suffering you endured.
Drug Manufacturers’ Duty to Consumers
Whether a drug is sold over the counter or must be prescribed by a physician, the manufacturers of all drugs owe a duty to their consumers. Over-the-counter drugs:
- Are not prescribed by a physician
- Can be purchased in a wide range of stores, such as groceries, pharmacies, online, discount stores
- Must comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for acceptable ingredients, labeling, and dosages
Prescription drugs:
- Must be prescribed by a physician
- Are prescribed for a specific person who is the only one permitted to take the drugs prescribed
- Are regulated by the FDA through a complicated New Drug Application process
If research, development, and clinical trials show that a drug is safe and ready to be released into the marketplace, the FDA will continue to monitor complaints and statistics concerning side effects and deaths. A drug could be dangerous but beneficial for some patients, which will prompt warning to be issued, or a drug may prove to be more dangerous than the benefits it offers, which will prompt a recall from the market in one of two ways:
The drug manufacturer
Pharmaceutical companies that discover their product has unanticipated side-effects or find that the drug is ineffective may opt to recall the product themselves. However, in other cases, they may only do this after public outcry or governmental action.
The FDA
Even after FDA approval, a drug can be determined dangerous enough for the FDA to mandate warning labels or to suggest the manufacturer pull the drug from the market. The FDA has the power to override a manufacturer that does not recall a dangerous drug.
A St. Tammany Parish Dangerous Medications Attorney Could Help
Despite extensive research during the development of a pharmaceutical, drug companies have been known to willfully withhold critical information. Deceptive advertising may lull consumers into thinking the drugs they take are safe and effective, even when the manufacturer, distributor, or pharmacy may know that they are not. By choosing to ignore the signs that a medication or pharmaceutical product may be dangerous, these companies are acting in a negligent and reckless manner, potentially harming thousands.
If you have suffered painful and debilitating side effects from prescription or over-the-counter medication, a St. Tammany Parish Dangerous Drugs Lawyer may be able to help you recover monetary compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your rights as a patient and consumer.