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When you take a prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drug, you expect it to help you manage an illness or chronic medical condition. You do not expect it to have a negative impact on your health. Unfortunately, many pharmaceuticals on the market qualify as dangerous drugs and cause potentially severe health complications.
If you suffered medical problems after taking an unsafe medication, speak with a York County dangerous drugs lawyer. One of our dedicated personal injury attorneys at Schiller & Hamilton could help you take legal action against the drug company.
Well-Known Drugs That May Be Unsafe
Almost every medication has some potentially harmful side effects. Fortunately, the benefits of these drugs usually outweigh the risks. However, there are several pharmaceuticals on the market linked to adverse health effects. Some of the most well-known drugs with negative side effects include:
- Zantac: This heartburn medication was recalled due to NDMA content, a type of carcinogen.
- Valsartan: This drug is used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It was recalled due to multi-batch contamination problems that caused tumors, cancer, and liver damage.
- Mapap: Commonly used for pain relief, Mapap and similar drugs contain acetaminophen that can cause liver damage and liver toxicity when taken long-term. It can also have fatal consequences, especially when combined with other acetaminophen drugs or alcohol.
- Elmiron: This medication treats interstitial cystitis, a type of bladder disorder. However, long-term use has been shown to cause vision loss.
- Truvada: This drug is used to manage HIV and reduce the risk of transmission. Truvada can potentially cause kidney and bone damage.
- Warfarin: This anticoagulant reduces the risk of blood clots but can cause severe internal and external bleeding. It has fatal consequences when paired with other blood-thinning medications.
Medications can cause many different reactions among patients. However, when a defective drug goes on the market, it has the potential to harm thousands of people. Anyone who has suffered damages due to an unsafe medication should reach out to a lawyer in York County.
Potentially Liable Parties in an Unsafe Drug Case in York County
There might be several liable parties involved in a dangerous drug case. If the drug was inherently dangerous due to its design, the developers may be responsible. However, if an error during the manufacturing process caused several batches of a medication to become dangerous, the manufacturer could be held liable.
Cleanroom technicians may face civil liability if they did not follow proper procedures, allowing the storage room to become contaminated. Likewise, when the pharmaceutical company fails to provide adequate instructions or warning labels on a drug, it can be considered negligent.
Even if the drug in question was safe for most people, a pharmacist or other medical professional could be the subject of a civil claim if they administered the wrong dose of a drug to a patient, failed to check the patient’s drug allergies, or failed to adequately warn the patient of the risks of a certain drug. A knowledgeable attorney could help an injured party identify the liable parties in their dangerous drug case.
Damages Available in Hazardous Medication Cases
When prescription or OTC drug causes someone harm, they have the right to seek compensation for many types of losses. Plaintiffs can request damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Disability
Many injured parties fail to consider their long-term damages. It is crucial to work with a skilled attorney who understands how to calculate damages in a defective drug claim.
Reach Out to a York County Dangerous Drugs Attorney Today
If you are suffering from a medical condition caused by an unsafe drug, you may benefit from retaining legal counsel. A York County dangerous drugs lawyer could help you understand your rights and take action against the party responsible for your damages. Contact Schiller & Hamilton today to schedule your free initial consultation.