Every prescription and over-the-counter drug that is marketed and sold to the public in the United States must be approved as safe for consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While most drugs tested by the FDA ultimately turn out to be perfectly safe with only minor side effects, others are discovered to have harmful or even deadly side effects, injuring millions of Americans. Dangerous drugs can lead to many different types of debilitating side effects ranging from blood clots and heart attacks to gastrointestinal problems and premature loss of life.
If you or someone you know was harmed by a dangerous drug, consider having the case evaluated by a New Port Richey dangerous drugs lawyer. A personal injury attorney who handles pharmaceutical product liability cases could help you pursue fair compensation and hold the at-fault parties accountable.
Types of Dangerous Drug Cases
Dangerous drug litigation typically falls under the umbrella of product liability law. A New Port Richey dangerous drugs lawyer may, therefore, base an injured client’s claim for damages on or more of the following theories, which are common in product liability cases:
Manufacturing Defect
Someone who is hurt by a dangerous drug in the New Port Richey area might allege that the drug had been rendered unsafe due to a defect in the manufacturing process. For example, a drug may become contaminated by a harmful substance during production. Errors that occur during shipping or dispensing at a local pharmacy may also be cited as a manufacturing defect by a New Port Richey dangerous drugs attorney.
Design Defect
A plaintiff in a dangerous drug lawsuit could allege that a drug is inherently dangerous due to an error in the chemical formulation. A drug maker might face legal consequences for a design defect if a drug created a foreseeable risk of harm, even if it was manufactured as intended and used correctly by the consumer.
Failure to Warn or Instruct
A New Port Richey dangerous drugs attorney could also premise a claim for damages on a drug company’s failure to warn consumers about a drug’s known risks or its failure to package a drug with sufficient instructions. Drug labels and any accompanying instructions must explain any known dangers of a pharmaceutical product in a way that is easy to understand.
Deadline to File a Dangerous Drug Lawsuit
Anyone who believes that they have been harmed by a dangerous drug should promptly seek medical attention and have the details of their injuries thoroughly documented. That being said, it important to understand that product liability lawsuits are subject to a four-year statute of limitations. In addition, anyone seeking to hold a pharmacist liable for a dangerous drug injury should be aware that pharmacists are “learned professionals” who are subject to a shorter, two-year statute of limitations period.
Contact a New Port Richey Dangerous Drugs Attorney Today
Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications are taken by millions of Americans on a daily basis. While most are safe to consume and highly effective at treating a range of ailments, many pharmaceuticals turn out to cause serious harm. Contact a New Port Richey dangerous drugs lawyer for information about your legal rights and options.
