We depend on our drug manufacturers, doctors, and pharmacists to prescribe and recommend drugs and medications that will help us instead of harm us. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) keeps a close watch on all new drugs that are created to ensure they can be placed on the market. Sometimes, however, new drugs aren’t as safe as they are advertised.
Drug manufacturers often race against one another to release the latest and greatest medications to bring in the most profit. This leads many to try and cut corners, skip crucial clinical trials, and omit testing results and dangerous side effects from product labels and advertisements. These seemingly small mistakes can cost lives. The FDA can’t catch every single mistake.
When negligent mistakes like this are made and lives are lost or individuals are harmed, this is when U.S. citizens have a legal right to file a civil claim against the manufacturer of the drug. We call these claims drug litigation lawsuits and they’re some of the most difficult claims to win in court due to how large and powerful the U.S. pharmaceutical industry is. To win a claim of this nature, you’ll need the help of an Omaha, NE drug litigation lawyer.
First, let’s go over the facts about these complex lawsuits.
What You Need to Know about Drug Litigation in Nebraska
The U.S. pharmaceutical industry is one of the most lucrative industries in our nation. It’s estimated that we spend almost $1,000 per person on pharmaceutical drugs. This figure is almost twice as high as the next highest-spending country, Canada. It should come as no surprise that the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, as a result, is incredibly powerful. It holds a large amount of both economic power and political power.
All too often, pharmaceutical corporations knowingly rush the drug approval process or cut corners to get their drugs out quicker. This places the American population at risk. There are currently hundreds of prescription and non-prescription drugs on the market that are currently under investigation by the FDA and have pending drug litigation lawsuits.
These lawsuits (along with other types of product liability claims) are incredibly complex and can take years to settle. Meanwhile, the drugs remain on the market and potentially harm others. At this point, the FDA will often force the company to place better labels on the drug that warn patients and doctors of its possible side effects. Often, these warnings come too late.
How do Drugs Cause Harm?
Answering this question is complex and will vary considerably depending on the drug in question, but when a drug is not tested accurately or rushed to market, it may be dangerous for many individuals. Many harmful drug interactions do not make themselves apparent until the drug has been ingested for weeks or even months. When a new drug is hurried through the testing and FDA approval process, many of its harmful side effects may not even be known yet.
One drug our firm is currently seeking to represent clients for is valsartan. Valsartan is a drug prescribed to patients with high blood pressure. There is currently evidence which suggests that the drug may contain traces of the human carcinogen NDMA. There’s a voluntary recall on the drug, but if you have experienced negative side effects from taking valsartan, our legal team may be able to help.
Most drug side effects come from harmful or toxic ingredients or dangerous interactions with another type of medication. Harmful side effects take the form of many conditions and symptoms, but some of the most common include heart damage, liver damage, toxicity effects, organ injuries, respiratory problems, blood problems, muscle damage, and seizures. Many of these side effects are irreversible and may even lead to death.
Recover with a Nebraska Drug Litigation Lawyer
When a family experiences pain and suffering that was caused by a drug that are rushed to market, a successful drug litigation lawsuit can grant that family peace of mind as well as reward them with compensation for medical bills, loss of wage costs, and pain/suffering costs. In addition, successful pharmaceutical litigation claims send a message to drug companies they can’t ignore. Our safety must be prioritized. Drugs shouldn’t be rushed to market if they aren’t properly tested.
For help sending that message to a corporation that caused you or a loved one harm, contact Welsh & Welsh today. Our law office can tell you if filing a lawsuit is in your best interest and walk you through the filing process. You shouldn’t have to suffer alone. We’re here for you, Nebraska.
