Most over-the-counter and prescription medications are safe and effective when used in accordance with a physician’s instructions. Unfortunately, not every pharmaceutical company puts their products through rigorous testing to identify all possible side effects and contraindications before the drug is released into the market. Even worse, some companies discover potentially harmful effects and deliberately hide them from doctors and consumers.
If you suffered serious harm after taking a medication you thought was safe, a Bala Cynwyd dangerous drugs lawyer can help you enforce your right to demand financial recovery. Civil litigation against drug manufacturers tends to be complex and challenging to pursue alone, so support from a skilled attorney is vital to achieving a positive outcome.
When is a Medication Considered “Dangerous?”
Just like any other manufacturer, pharmaceutical companies have a legal responsibility to ensure their products are reasonably safe to use for their intended purpose. If a drug is contaminated during the manufacturing process, made incorrectly, or has undisclosed side effects, any consumer who suffers physical illness or injury as a result may have grounds to file suit against the product’s maker.
It is important to emphasize that a drug having undesirable side effects or not being effective at treating a consumer’s condition is not enough to justify civil litigation. Dangerous drug litigation is only possible when harm results from a product that was defective when it left its manufacturer’s control. This means that the medication had adverse effects that a reasonable consumer would not have anticipated based on the listed side effects and contraindications.
Drug Recalls
A pharmaceutical company issuing a recall of a dangerous drug does not necessarily mean they are protected from liability for the harm already caused prior to the recall. A Bala Cynwyd attorney can further explain what circumstances might allow for a dangerous drug claim and what evidence might be necessary to establish liability for a defective medication.
Pursuing Compensation Alongside Other Plaintiffs
A drug manufacturer that produces an unreasonably dangerous product and/or fails to warn consumers about known hazards may be held financially liable for every economic and non-economic repercussion of their actions. This includes immediately apparent damages like medical expenses and lost work income, as well as long-term physical pain, emotional trauma, and lost enjoyment of life.
However, it is often difficult for a single plaintiff to successfully file suit against a massive pharmaceutical company. These companies have experienced lawyers who make their living fighting these types of claims. A defective drugs lawyer can help injured Bala Cynwyd residents to join forces with other people harmed by the same dangerous medication. Pursuing compensation together through a mass tort or class action lawsuit is often an effective strategy for achieving the compensation a victim needs.
Contact a Bala Cynwyd Dangerous Drugs Attorney Today
When unreasonably dangerous or defective medications are made available for sale, many innocent consumers may suffer serious harm as a result. To make matters worse, pharmaceutical companies have decades of experience contesting dangerous drug claims.
If you want to effectively protect your rights and hold negligent companies accountable, talk to a Bala Cynwyd dangerous drugs lawyer as soon as possible. Give our firm a call to speak with a hardworking attorney and discuss the strength of your case.