Drug Injury Attorney in Charlottesville, VA

Many people take prescription medicines to manage symptoms of chronic medical conditions, treat temporary illnesses, and improve overall health. When we take medication prescribed by our doctors, we expect the drugs to be effective and safe when used as directed.

Unfortunately, some prescription drugs are put on the market without adequate warning of the serious side effects that they cause. Neither the doctor nor the patient may be aware of the risk posed by the drug because of the lack of warnings. Users of dangerous drugs can suffer serious, life-altering injuries due to the negligence of the drug manufacturer.

If you or your loved one has developed a severe injury as a side effect of a prescription drug, you may be entitled to significant compensation. With a dangerous drug claim, you may seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses associated with any conditions you developed.

The dangerous drug lawyers of Kendall Law Firm understand the devastating effects an unexpected medical condition can have on your health, your finances, and your quality of life. Let our drug injury attorneys put our considerable knowledge and experience at your disposal to hold the drug manufacturer accountable and pursue the full compensation you deserve.

To learn more about how we can help with a dangerous drug lawsuit, call us today at (866) 590-9773 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.

How Drugs Can Become Dangerous

The majority of dangerous drugs develop problems that can harm users as a result of one or more of the following failures:

• Drug testing and approval issues – Prescription drugs must be tested thoroughly before they are approved for use by the general public. If drug manufacturers commit any errors during the testing, drug users can suffer serious consequences. Some harmful side effects only become apparent after patients have taken the drug for months or years.
• Manufacturing or distribution issues – Facilities that manufacture and distribute prescription medications need extensive quality control to keep the drugs safe for human consumption. Problems with sterility, impurities, contamination, and improper storage can lead to dangerous drug issues.
• Inappropriate prescriptions – No matter how safe a drug may be, it can cause serious harm if it is prescribed in the wrong dosage, to the wrong patient, or improperly administered. Manufacturers are responsible for providing proper dosage and prescription guidance to doctors to avoid dangerous side effects.
• Warning and labeling issues – Many drugs have some side effects. It is important for manufacturers to understand the full extent of the side effects and to provide adequate warning labels of the known side effects to inform health care professionals and patients. When manufacturers fail to provide adequate warnings, patients are at increased risk of dangerous drug-related consequences.
• Drug recall issues – When drug manufacturers are aware of serious side effects caused by a product they sell, they have a duty to warn the public. If negligent manufacturers fail to notify users or recall dangerous drugs when necessary, their products can cause serious harm.

Holding Drug Manufacturers Accountable

With a dangerous drug liability claim, you can hold a negligent drug manufacturer accountable and seek compensation for the following losses:

• Medical bills – Any medical expenses you incur as a result of treating the side effects of a prescription drug, including hospital stays, doctor or specialist visits, prescription medications, or medical equipment.
• Rehabilitation and therapy – Rehabilitation and therapy expenses needed to treat the harmful physical and cognitive side effects of a dangerous drug.
• Lost wages – The value of any reductions in your take-home pay, if the side effects of a dangerous drug caused you to miss time at work.
• Lost earning potential – The projected value of losses in your future earning potential, if dangerous drug side effects leave you disabled and unable to return to your previous job or career path.
• Pain and suffering – The subjective value of the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering you endure as a result of the side effects of dangerous drug use.

Types of Dangerous Drug Injury Claims

Some of the most common types of prescription drugs involved in dangerous drug injury claims include:

• Accutane – Accutane is typically prescribed to treat serious cases of cystic acne, one of the most common types of skin disease. Unfortunately, Accutane use has been linked to birth defects among pregnant female users and depressive or suicidal behavior among others.
• Ambien – Ambien is a central nervous system depressant that is commonly prescribed to treat sleeplessness and insomnia. Ambien use has been linked to reported cases of sleepwalking, sleep-related eating, and temporary memory loss, especially among older users.
• Belviq – Belviq is a weight loss drug that was removed from U.S. markets in 2020 when drug safety data suggested that users were more likely to develop certain types of cancer, namely pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancer. If you were prescribed Belviq and have since developed cancer, you may be entitled to seek compensation to pay for your cancer treatment.
• Celebrex – Celebrex is an anti-inflammatory that is often prescribed to treat conditions like osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Celebrex manufacturer Pfizer has settled many lawsuits based on complaints of serious side effects such as strokes and heart attacks.
• Cialis – Cialis is a popular erectile dysfunction medication that is also prescribed to treat male patients with enlarged prostates. However, Cialis use has been associated with severe complications such as sudden hearing or vision loss, heart problems, and painful erections.
• Elmiron – Elmiron is currently the only prescription drug approved by the FDA to treat interstitial cystitis or chronic bladder pain. Unfortunately, recent studies have revealed a link between Elmiron use and ocular toxicity that can lead to irreversible vision damage.
• Lexapro – Lexapro is an antidepressant that is commonly prescribed to treat depression and anxiety disorders. The FDA has released alerts to warn the public that Lexapro use can have serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts, bleeding problems, seizures, and sexual problems.
• Lipitor – Lipitor is an FDA-approved statin drug used to manage problems associated with high cholesterol. However, Lipitor and other statin drugs have been linked to serious medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, liver damage, and memory loss.
• Oxycontin – Oxycontin is a prescription opioid drug that is used to treat severe or chronic pain. Oxycontin use has a number of serious side effects. Its highly addictive nature has resulted in widespread abuse and many fatalities.
• Paxil – Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is prescribed to treat conditions such as depression, panic disorder, and various anxiety disorders. Paxil use has been linked to health risks such as suicidal thoughts, birth defects, mania, and seizures.
• Prevacid, Prilosec, and Nexium – These drugs are popularly prescribed to manage the symptoms of chronic heartburn. The use of Prevacid, Prilosec and Nexium is reportedly associated with increased risk of bone fractures, kidney disease, kidney failure, and dementia.
• Prozac – Prozac is an SSRI that is used to treat depression, panic disorder, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Common health risks associated with Prozac include birth defects, suicidal thoughts, bleeding problems, seizures, weight loss, and sexual issues.
• Risperdal – Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication that is prescribed to treat symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations, paranoid thoughts, and delusional thinking. Risperdal use increases the risk of stroke and developing certain nervous system disorders or diabetes.
• Tamiflu – Tamiflu is a prescription medication used to treat and prevent flu or influenza symptoms in children and adults. Patients who take Tamiflu may be at increased risk of self-injurious behavior, confusion, and delirium.
• Viagra – Viagra was approved by the FDA in 1998 and is commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction in male patients. In 2005, the FDA warned users that some Viagra patients have experienced complications such as vision loss, digestive issues, and priapism.
• Yaz – Yaz is commonly used as a birth control pill or prescription treatment for moderate acne or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Users are reportedly at increased risk of serious side effects such as blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and breast cancer.
• Zoloft – Zoloft is an SSRI used to treat depression, OCD, panic disorder, and various anxiety disorders. Studies have shown Zoloft users are more likely to experience serious complications such as birth defects, bleeding problems, sexual problems, and suicidal behavior.

Tragic Results from Dangerous Drugs

Some of the most serious and potentially life-altering side effects associated with the use of dangerous drugs include:

How Can I File a Prescription Drug Lawsuit?

If you suspect you may have been harmed by a dangerous drug, it’s important to contact an experienced dangerous drug injury attorney right away. At Kendall Law Firm, we can review your diagnosis and evaluate whether you have grounds to bring a dangerous drug lawsuit. Attorney David Kendall has decades of experience representing injured people in Charlottesville.

Dangerous drug lawsuits involve a lot of time-consuming investigation and preparation, such as reviewing drug testing results and medical literature. A trusted dangerous drug lawyer can handle these aspects of litigation on your behalf so you can focus on your health and recovery.

Call a Charlottesville Drug Injury Lawyer Today

If you need help from a dangerous drug attorney, reach out to Kendall Law Firm by calling us at (866) 590-9773 or contacting us online. We can explain your legal rights and review your options during a free consultation.