Indianapolis Dangerous Drug Lawyers

When you experience an injury, have fallen ill, or undergo a medical procedure, a physician may prescribe a drug to help provide relief from pain and quicken recovery. You expect the drug may improve your condition. However, if a prescription drug is defective, it can become dangerous. 

If your quality of life has been affected or you have suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one due to a dangerous drug, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for the costs, pain, and suffering. 

Call our office in Indianapolis today at (317) 472-3333 or contact us online to schedule a home or virtual visit for a free consultation. Please feel free to tell us all about your case. At Hensley Legal Group, PC, we make sure you’re treated like family, not just a case number. 

When is a Drug Considered Dangerous?

When a drug is prescribed or given over the counter, it is supposed to be effective in treating your condition or relieving your pain. Thus, if serious side effects occur, the drug is considered to be dangerous. These harmful effects can cause life-changing injuries or even be fatal. 

As patients begin using a new drug, serious adverse reactions eventually become manifest and widely known. The following are some examples of serious health consequences from using a dangerous drug:

• Neurological problems
• Birth defects
• Stroke
• Heart problems
• Kidney problems
• Respiratory problems
• Blood clots
• Liver damage
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Coma
• Allergic reactions
• Depression
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts
• Death

This list, of course, is not exhaustive. There are several other adverse reactions that result from taking dangerous drugs. 

Often, side effects become manifest even before the drug is released to the public. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees the approval process for drugs sold in the US, may require the manufacturer to issue a warning. Unfortunately, very often, these warnings are issued a little too late. 

Some Common Dangerous Drugs

In the medical industry, the competition to make a profit can be fierce. Often, this can cause pharmaceutical companies to ignore adverse reactions caused by the drugs they produce. This is negligent behavior that sadly results in safety sacrificed for profits. 

The following are some well-known examples of dangerous drugs that have been involved in lawsuits:

• Zantac
• Nexium
• Paxil
• Celebrex
• Vioxx
• Zofran
• Avandia
• Prilosec
• Lipitor
• Antidepressants
• Opioids

If you have suffered since starting a new medication, negligence could be a factor. Please speak with an attorney in our Indianapolis office. Our Indianapolis personal injury attorneys can help you to arrive at an informed decision regarding your case.

Who Could Be Held Liable For a Dangerous Drug

A dangerous drug lawsuit pertains to product liability law, which exists to protect the rights of consumers from defective medical devices or products. Manufacturers thus have a duty of care to provide medical devices and drugs that are safe for use. 

When a patient uses a prescribed drug, an over-the-counter substance, or a medical device, he or she likely believes that it will not only be effective but safe for use. If he or she is injured due to a harmful reaction from using that drug or medical device, several parties may be held liable.

Some of the potentially liable parties include the following.

The manufacturer

The maker of a drug or medical device has a legal duty to ensure that the product is reasonably safe for use. This requires the pharmaceutical company to adequately test and make necessary adjustments to eliminate serious side effects before placing substances or items on the market. 

The FDA outlines a process that must be followed by pharmaceutical companies to get a product approved. The pharmaceutical company could be found liable for injuries if it fails to provide complete testing results or make the needed adjustments before putting the drug on the market.  

The sales representative

Each patient has a right to make an informed decision regarding the use of over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs. In order to do so, he or she must be made aware of all possible risks. 

A sales representative has a legal responsibility to provide instructions for appropriate use and warn of potential risks. The sales representative could be liable for failing to warn if a patient has been injured by using the drug.

Additionally, the doctor who prescribed the medicine, or the pharmacist who did not provide an adequate warning of possible risks, could also be liable. To prove liability in Indiana, it must be shown that the drug was dangerous before it left the manufacturer’s control. Or that there was a failure of adequate warning of potential risks.

As you can see, product liability cases are complex and should not be taken lightly. You need a free case consultation with a Hensley Legal Group lawyer with extensive knowledge of product liability to help you get a fair settlement.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If you have been harmed from taking dangerous drugs, don’t forget you have legal rights. Let an attorney at Hensley Legal Group’s office in Indianapolis help you at this difficult time to get the compensation you deserve.

You may be compensated for damages such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income and benefits
• Emotional distress
• Lost quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death

Keep in mind there is a time limit for filing a product liability claim. In the State of Indiana, a lawsuit must be filed either within 2 years of the date of injury or 10 years of obtaining the product that caused the personal injury, depending on the specifics of your case. It is therefore vital to get legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer with our law firm as soon as possible.

Why Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Our Office in Indianapolis, Indiana

When you or your loved one needs help with a medical problem in Indianapolis, you put your life in the hands of medical professionals. You trust that any medication or medical device prescribed will be safe and may improve your condition. If that drug produces an unexpected adverse reaction, though, you should be compensated for your suffering.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to pursue dangerous drug cases or defective device cases without legal counsel. Possible defendants, such as drug companies, have highly experienced teams of dangerous drug attorneys who are always ready to provide assistance when victims submit claims against them. You too can have a legal team of seasoned Indianapolis attorneys supporting you, able to help you every penny you deserve. 

Let Hensley Legal Group make a difference in your life by helping to get you relief from your suffering. Call us today toll-free at (888) 505-8232 or contact us online for a free home or virtual consultation regarding your case. You don’t pay us a cent unless we win your case!