Kirk Bernard Helps Consumers Understand their Rights if Injured by a Dangerous Drug
Kirk Bernard
November 15, 2009
Prescription drugs have improved the lives of countless people with serious medical conditions. There is no doubt that recent medical advances have helped people live longer, fuller, healthier lives that may not have been possible just a few decades ago. On the other hand, pharmaceuticals are big business and the companies that produce these drugs are interested in making as much money as possible. That means that drugs sometimes get pushed to market before their side effects are adequately investigated. In some instances, the drug companies may even fail to disclose the risks of a new drug. When that happens, consumers are put at risk and many who take these dangerous drugs suffer serious injuries as a result.
The term "dangerous drug" does not just refer to prescription drugs. A dangerous drug in Seattle or anywhere else in the United States can also be an over-the-counter medication or even a natural herbal supplement. In many cases, makers have not fully investigated or disclosed the potential downsides of the drug, which has led to FDA warnings and even a few recalls. Consumers have a right to receive damages if they have suffered because of a manufacturer´s, pharmacist´s or doctor´s actions.
You may be able to collect damages from your doctor or pharmacist if a dangerous drug has injured you. Your physician has a duty to safeguard your health and not expose you to unnecessary risk. If he or she failed to collect enough medical information to determine whether a particular drug was suitable or prescribed a drug without informing you of the known side effects, he or she may be liable for your injuries. Similarly, a pharmacist may be liable if they did not inform you of side effects and possible interactions with other drugs at the time you received your prescription.
Often, however, it´s the makers of dangerous drugs that end up paying damages to injured consumers. You may have a right to compensation if a manufacturer lied about or downplayed the side effects of a drug to get FDA approval, promoted a drug aggressively without fully disclosing the side effects, or neglected to perform the studies and trials necessary to determine if a drug was safe.
As a consumer injured by a dangerous drug, you may be eligible to receive several types of damages. First, you may be able to get the liable party to pay medical bills to cover any injuries you sustained as a result of taking a dangerous drug. You may also qualify for lost wages, pain and suffering, and various other types of damages depending on the specifics of your case. Since some drugs have serious, life-changing effects, including kidney failure, stroke and heart attack, it´s essential that you make every effort to hold those responsible accountable. People severely injured by dangerous drugs may require costly care, or they may find that they are no longer able to work.
If you have been injured by the use of a dangerous drug, it would benefit you to have a qualified Washington personal injury attorney like Kirk Bernard evaluate your potential claim to determine if you are entitled to compensation. You need a personal injury attorney who knows the laws regarding these matters. At the Bernard Law Group, our skilled lawyers led by Kirk Bernard have many years of experienced litigating dangerous drug cases as well as handling many other product liability matters. Contact us today for a free consultation.
The term "dangerous drug" does not just refer to prescription drugs. A dangerous drug in Seattle or anywhere else in the United States can also be an over-the-counter medication or even a natural herbal supplement. In many cases, makers have not fully investigated or disclosed the potential downsides of the drug, which has led to FDA warnings and even a few recalls. Consumers have a right to receive damages if they have suffered because of a manufacturer´s, pharmacist´s or doctor´s actions.
You may be able to collect damages from your doctor or pharmacist if a dangerous drug has injured you. Your physician has a duty to safeguard your health and not expose you to unnecessary risk. If he or she failed to collect enough medical information to determine whether a particular drug was suitable or prescribed a drug without informing you of the known side effects, he or she may be liable for your injuries. Similarly, a pharmacist may be liable if they did not inform you of side effects and possible interactions with other drugs at the time you received your prescription.
Often, however, it´s the makers of dangerous drugs that end up paying damages to injured consumers. You may have a right to compensation if a manufacturer lied about or downplayed the side effects of a drug to get FDA approval, promoted a drug aggressively without fully disclosing the side effects, or neglected to perform the studies and trials necessary to determine if a drug was safe.
As a consumer injured by a dangerous drug, you may be eligible to receive several types of damages. First, you may be able to get the liable party to pay medical bills to cover any injuries you sustained as a result of taking a dangerous drug. You may also qualify for lost wages, pain and suffering, and various other types of damages depending on the specifics of your case. Since some drugs have serious, life-changing effects, including kidney failure, stroke and heart attack, it´s essential that you make every effort to hold those responsible accountable. People severely injured by dangerous drugs may require costly care, or they may find that they are no longer able to work.
If you have been injured by the use of a dangerous drug, it would benefit you to have a qualified Washington personal injury attorney like Kirk Bernard evaluate your potential claim to determine if you are entitled to compensation. You need a personal injury attorney who knows the laws regarding these matters. At the Bernard Law Group, our skilled lawyers led by Kirk Bernard have many years of experienced litigating dangerous drug cases as well as handling many other product liability matters. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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