The makers of prescription and over-the-counter drugs have the same goals as any other businesspeople: to make a profit. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to skip steps in the testing process or to fail to maintain a safe manufacturing space in the name of making more money. Unfortunately, these cost-cutting procedures can result in severe injuries if a consumer takes a dangerous drug. Drug makers that cause injuries could be held liable to compensate their victims for their losses. This can include providing payments for any necessary medical treatment, any lost earnings, and lost quality of life.
If you have suffered adverse health effects from taking a medication, a High Ridge dangerous drugs lawyer may be able to help. Our skilled team of personal injury attorneys could work to evaluate your losses, develop a legal strategy designed to hold a drug maker responsible, and demand every dollar of compensation you are entitled.
Common Types of Defective Drug Injuries
Every foreign substance that people introduce into their bodies should have a specific purpose. For example, a pain killer should provide relief from aches and pains and an anti-depressant should elevate a person’s mood. Drug manufacturers have a duty to produce a product that serves this purpose with minimal risk. A simple error in chemistry or an example of contamination in the manufacturing process could carry dire consequences.
Something as simple as mislabeling a drug’s dosage can have catastrophic consequences. If a doctor prescribes 10 mg of a blood-thinner medication, but the bottle is mislabeled as containing pills with 5 mg, this can lead to an overdose causing internal bleeding.
Drugs may also harm a customer if their side effects are not prominently stated. Many defective drug cases allege that a drug maker did not perform adequate tests on their products to learn about all potential risks of taking their product. Similar cases allege that a maker knew about risks and failed to provide adequate warning. A High Ridge dangerous drugs attorney could help individuals evaluate their damages after taking harmful medications and determine whether the pharmaceutical company may be at fault.
Pursuing a Claim in a High Ridge Court
Merely alleging that a person suffered an injury after taking a defective drug is not enough to prevail in court. Instead, the law states that an individual must specifically state why the drug maker is at fault.
Under Missouri Statute § 537.760, the makers of consumer products are strictly liable for all resulting injuries if the product was in a defective condition, or when the product was unreasonably dangerous and the maker did not provide the user with proper warnings.
This is not to say that every injury resulting from taking an unsafe medication guarantees a successful case. In fact, drug makers may allege that a patient ignored warnings or did not use the medicine in the intended manner.
No matter the path to recovery that an individual chooses, they must be sure to pursue their case on time. Even though these cases can be complex and cause serious injuries, there is still a strict time limit to demand compensation for one’s losses. A harmful medication lawyer in High Ridge could help a person choose a legal path that has the best chance for success and pursue their claim in a timely manner.
Let a High Ridge Dangerous Drugs Attorney Fight for You
Taking on the big pharmaceutical companies after suffering an injury may seem like an insurmountable task. After all, these companies spend years developing their drugs and employ large legal departments to protect their profits. Even so, the law asserts that any drug maker who releases an unsafe product is liable for any resulting injuries.
A High Ridge dangerous drugs lawyer could help you to pursue a claim if a defective medicine has affected your health. They could help gather evidence of your injuries, connect those injuries to drug maker negligence, and demand fair compensation for your losses. Call today to make an appointment.
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