Patients in St. Petersburg often take medications to improve their health and wellbeing, but in some instances, dangerous or defective drugs can cause more harm than good. Patients who were prescribed a dangerous drug may suffer serious consequences with long-term—or even deadly—effects.
In many cases, the danger could have been averted if a drug company or medical professional had behaved in a responsible manner. If you or a family member have suffered serious illness or injury caused by a medication, it is advisable to consult a dangerous drugs lawyer about your legal options. If retained, a seasoned personal injury attorney could help you find out whether you may be entitled to compensation for harm already suffered as well as related long-term needs.
How Drugs Become Dangerous
Drug manufacturers have the duty to label their drugs accurately and completely, as they may be the only ones with the knowledge to do so. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a process for testing medications before they go on the market, but this process might not always ensure that a product is safe for the public.
In many cases, manufacturers elect to hide or downplay risks from side effects in order to increase the marketability and profitability of a drug. Doctors then prescribe the medication based on the labeling information, and patients may suffer harm as a result of exposure to unexpected risks.
Drugs might also become dangerous due to defects in production or design, or if they are marketed deceptively or prescribed for non-approved uses or in incorrect dosages. Medications may even be released for use by the public before testing is fully completed. Regardless of the specific nature of their case, a dangerous drugs attorney in St. Petersburg could help an injured plaintiff determine what aspect of the drug they took caused them harm and take legal action accordingly.
Assigning Liability in a Defective Drug Case
Civil responsibility for a dangerous drug may rest with a number of different parties depending on the circumstances. Those who may be held responsible include:
- Manufacturers who produced defective products or mislabeled products
- Testing facilities
- Drug distribution companies
- Sales representatives who concealed risks or misrepresented product attributes
- Doctors who prescribed medications for unapproved use or in an incorrect dosage
- Pharmacies that improperly labeled or dispensed medication
- Hospitals that administered medication improperly
In some situations, more than one party may be at fault, so a lawsuit could be brought against two or more entities involved with the dangerous drug. A seasoned St. Petersburg dangerous drugs lawyer could investigate which parties may be defendants in a prospective plaintiff’s civil case.
Work With an Experienced Dangerous Drugs Lawyer in St. Petersburg
Lawsuits can be very complicated when an allegation of a medication defect is involved. If the lawsuit is brought against the manufacturer for failure to warn about side effects or other problems that cause widespread harm, it might be necessary to file a class action lawsuit, which requires certifying a class in federal court. In most dangerous drug cases, it is also necessary to use expert witnesses to testify regarding scientific evidence.
Due to the complex nature of dangerous drug cases, it may be wise to consult with an attorney with experience in this area of law. A knowledgeable attorney could evaluate the circumstances of your case and help determine whether you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, or other effects such as pain and suffering. To learn more, call today.
