There are so many different drugs on the market today for such a wide variety of ailments that if your doctor tells you that you need a particular medication, you probably won't blink an eye. After all, you wouldn't be given a prescription if the drug wasn't safe, right? It is easy to assume that because the pharmaceutical industry is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the medication they produce must safe. However, if you or a loved one have suffered or been injured by a drug or medical device, then you know differently.
Pharmaceutical Companies Are Not Above the Law
What's becoming clear is that the FDA isn't as on top of "big pharma" as we would like. You just have to tune into the news to hear about the latest mass tort medical scandal. Consider these serious class-action pharmaceutical lawsuits:
Denture Cream-Our firm is currently investigating claims involving the popular denture cream products Fixodent, Poligrip and Super Poligrip. These products have been linked to serious neurological conditions due to excessive zinc used in the products. This toxic level of zinc has been linked to a nervous system disorder called neuropathy, which causes weakness, numbness and loss of control of the muscles, similar to that experienced by muscular dystrophy.
Trasylol- Bayer is being sued because this drug, which was used to inhibit bleeding during cardiac surgery, allegedly increased the risk of heart attacks and kidney failure in its victims. The investigative report by 60 Minutes involving Trasylol, below, aired in February 2008.
Heparin - Contaminated supplies from China have caused thousands of United States citizens to become ill and even die.
Oral Sodium Phosphate - A drug commonly used for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopies has led to kidney failure in many patients.
Gadolinium - A dye used for contrast during MRIs which contains heavy metals that cannot be processed by the body if the patient has kidney problems. The side-effect is an illness called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, a hardening of the skin and joints, which can eventually lead to death.
Digitek (Digoxin) - A medication used to treat congestive heart failure. In April 2008, the drug was recalled when it was discovered that it was not being manufactured properly; twice the active ingredient was found in some tablets. Side effects include low blood pressure, cardiac instability and low heart rate.
Fosamax - A drug used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. The FDA has issued a warning about this drug, because it has been known to cause a severe bone condition in the jaw which can result in bone splinters coming through the gums or an exposed jaw bone in the mouth.
What is a class action lawsuit?
Also known as "mass tort litigation", pharmaceutical class action lawsuits are when a group of people suffering from the same or similar harms, losses or injuries caused by the same product sue the drug company as a group. For an attorney to file a class action lawsuit, there usually needs to be a minimum number of injured people with each person suffering a minimum amount of damage. If your group is successful with the litigation, then the members of the lawsuit all divide up the recovery money. Each person should receive a payout amount proportional to what was lost.
Why should I consider a class action lawsuit?
If you've been injured or harmed by a pharmaceutical product, you might be wondering why you should team up with other injured people. After all, your first priority is to make sure your losses and suffering are addressed - not those of a group of strangers. However, joining a class action lawsuit against a big drug company has several benefits:
Class action lawsuits save time. Imagine how long it would take for your own individual case to make it to court if you had to get in line behind a thousand other individual lawsuits. It could be years - or even decades - before you get your day in court.
Class action lawsuits share information. Often intense research and scientific investigation is needed to prove that the pharmaceutical product was harmful. In a class action lawsuit, many victims can all benefit from the same high-quality research from a law firm with extensive resources and expert investigators.
Class action lawsuits share expert witnesses. Imagine if 1,000 people all sue a drug company separately, and they all want the top medical experts to testify about the side-effects or injuries they suffered. Those experts either would not be available to everybody who needed them or they would be so busy testifying in case after case that they'd never have a chance to do their "real" job.
In short, class action lawsuits are a very efficient way for a large number of victims to have their day in court against a large pharmaceutical company. To find out more about joining a class action lawsuit against a drug company, please contact the attorneys at Hupy and Abraham today.
Hupy and Abraham, S.C. 100 East Wisconsin Avenue Suite 1110 Milwaukee, WI 53202 USA Toll-free: 800-800-5678 Phone: 414-223-4800
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The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America (PhRMA) Description: Pharma.org is the website for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturing of America (PhRMA). The organization works to advocate for the pharmaceutical industry and encourage the discovery of new medicines.
Fosamax- Uses and Potential Dangers Description: Fosamax is a prescription drug that is prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, for over two years complaints have surfaced that the drug has injured and disfigured hundreds. Fosamax has been shown to increase the user’s risk of a rare but serious syndrome that causes the jaw bone to decay. If you live in Wisconsin or Illinois please contact your pharmaceutical class action attorney at Hupy & Abraham today for your free consultation.
Alli Description: Alli has been on the market for three years. The product, which contains orlistat, has been marketed as a diet pill that inhibits the body from absorbing fat in meals. However, in 2009 the FDA issued a warning and began reviewing the safety of the over the counter drug. Serious liver injury and even liver failure have been seen in people taking the drug. Please read on to learn more about Alli and its possible connection with liver injury and illness.
Avandia- The Type Two Diabetes Drug and its Risks Description: Avandia is a drug used to treat type II diabetes. However, as far back as 2002 there have been calls to issue stronger warnings about the drug and even to recall it all together. As Wisconsin pharmaceutical class action attorneys we would like you to be informed about all the risks associated with Avandia. Please read on to learn more about the prescription drug Avandia and the risks associated with its use.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Description: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for approving and recalling prescription and over the counter drugs. They are a reliable source of information on recalled drugs, safe use of medications and drug safety. Your Wisconsin pharmaceutical class action attorneys at Hupy & Abraham hope that the information provided on this page helps you avoid bad drugs and get recall information as it is announced.
Zinc Poisoning | Symptoms, Causes and Prognosis Description: Zinc poisoning is a potentially fatal type of heavy metal poisoning. Zinc is found in many common household items such as denture cream, dyes and paint. If you believe that you have been affected by zinc poisoning seek medical attention and contact your Wisconsin and Illinois pharmaceutical class action attorneys a Hupy & Abraham today.