Utah Dangerous Drugs Lawyer

Pharmaceutical medications are an integral part of our healthcare system, with almost everyone depending upon one at some point in their life, whether it be prescription drugs or over-the-counter pills. Many people rely on the benefits of this medicine to function throughout their daily lives, with almost 70% of Americans taking at least one medication per day.

We expect medicine to work as intended, but what happens if it doesn’t? Some medications can be defective or otherwise dangerous, even if only taken as prescribed. To receive compensation for this kind of accident, you may be looking at a legal fight with a drug company, hospital, or other corporate entity, which makes these cases more complex.

Juggling the aftermath of a defective drug accident should not be a victim’s biggest worry while they are trying to recover, and an attorney can help relieve some of the weight on your shoulders. To help you file a claim or lawsuit, our team at Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers is standing by to provide legal aid which can make the claim or litigation process easier to manage.

Our team has years of experience representing people like you who have endured injuries and other lasting damages from a dangerous drug accident. Speak to a defective drugs lawyer near you during a free, confidential case review when you call (801) 810-9999 or contact us online.

Why Work With a Utah Dangerous Drugs Attorney?

The way a personal injury claim plays out can have a large impact on the recovery process, and in instances involving corporations and medical professionals, you’ll need skilled and experienced representation sitting in your corner.

When it comes to dangerous drug cases, there are many possible liable entities. Holding each one accountable can be difficult, especially since many drug companies will avoid turning over evidence and allege no wrongdoing on their part. An attorney from Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers can help you dissect the details of your defective drug accident in order to pinpoint all of the responsible parties.

Drugs claims litigation is a lengthy process, but an attorney can keep things organized, map out the future proceedings that your case may go through, and keep you up-to-date about the nature of your case so you can feel confident throughout the steps of the legal process.

You’ll never be in the dark working with the passionate legal team at Valley Law as we ensure each and every client gains the following from our services:

• An open line of communication with professionals in the field
• Comprehensive management of your case from the big steps to the fine details
• Protection from common insurance traps

What Counts as a Dangerous Drug?

Any drug can be capable of causing medical harm, rendering it dangerous. It is essential that those who rely on daily medication stay up-to-date with the latest FDA recalls for medicine. There were more than 14,000 drug recalls in the last 10 years.

If you suspect a defective drug has led to medical issues, reviewing its recall status is one of the best ways to check if your prescription is a danger. Even though any medication can be recalled, there are a few categories that tend to see recalls more than others, and specific medicines that have hit the FDA recall list a notable amount of times.

However, note that a drug does not have to be recalled for it to be considered a danger. Any drug has the potential to create adverse reactions and other effects. To learn more about the details of your medications, consult with your primary care doctor at your next visit.

The following categories are commonly associated with defective drugs because they have many specific medications which have ended up on FDA recall lists:

• Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication
• Birth control pills
• Blood thinners
• Cholesterol medication
• Type 2 diabetes prescriptions

Pills and other medicines are constantly put through third-party testing and analysis trials, and the following medicines have been deemed to have a higher chance of being dangerous or defective:

• Accutane
• Avandia (rosiglitazone)
• Diovan and generic brand
• Infant ibuprofen
• Paxil
• Pradaxa
• Truvada
• Valsartan
• YAZ/Yasmin
• Zantac and generic brand

Liability Claims for Defective Drugs

Liability is more complex in a dangerous drug accident because there are many parties that could be responsible. You’ll need a doctor’s analysis and likely the assistance of pharmaceutical experts to help you truly understand how the defective drug affected your body. This medical investigation will also help other investigators, such as at the FDA, understand the severity of the danger, as well. Moreover, having a lawyer can help you understand the true extent of the responsible party’s liability and what options are in front of you.

There are three main types of liability claims for defective or dangerous drug accidents:

• Defects at the manufacturer stage: This category includes mistakes made at the manufacturing company, including mislabeling medication or improper conditions with shipping and storage. While there are safety regulations and employees tasked with overseeing the efficiency of production, accidents have happened.
• Lack of proper warning: In some cases, a consumer may not be fully aware of the serious side effects or possible conditions that develop when taking a medication. Drug companies have a responsibility to inform consumers about the possible risks of a drug, including any important warnings and likely interactions. Failure to provide this information can constitute a marketing defect.
• Pharmaceuticals with dangerous side effects: In other instances, a company may create a drug that has such high risks that they are strictly liable for its effects, even in the absence of a manufacturing or marketing defect. In some cases, drug companies are fully aware of the potentially dangerous side effects that their medication can have — and not attempt to address them in any way because it is more profitable to keep the product available for sale and simply deal with lawsuits when they arise.

What to Do After a Dangerous Drugs Accident

If you’ve been in a dangerous drug accident, you likely felt an array of emotions from fear and confusion to distrust and frustration during the initial event. It can be overwhelming to put together what your next steps should be, but the following tips can help your claim for compensation in the long run.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

If you are experiencing an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department. If you have lesser concerns, schedule an appointment to see your primary care physician — or the next available doctor — as soon as you can. If it is safe to do so, immediately stop taking the medication that could be leading to your side effects. If you depend on the medication, ask your doctor about a way to reduce dosage or try alternative therapies until your adverse event is fully investigated.

Talk to an Attorney

After any type of accident, it is normal to be left with pressing questions and concerns. A consultation with an attorney can help you gain a clearer perspective about the road ahead and what you’ll need to be prepared for.

An attorney can help you get the care you need to prevent further harm and fully investigate the adverse events you were affected by. They can also help you take the needed steps to report the event and begin a claim against all appropriate parties.

Protecting your legal rights during a drug injury claim is extremely important. You want to ensure that you’re exercising due diligence, such as ceasing use of the drug and reporting your event to the appropriate regulatory bodies. You also want to prevent acts that can harm your claim, such as admitting to misuse or accepting any form of compensation from insurers, providers, or drug companies in connection with the event.

Report the Incident

One of the first things you should do after experiencing negative effects from a defective or dangerous drug is to report the incident to both your doctor and the FDA. A defective drug is a serious concern that will require further investigation by the proper authorities, and it is imperative that these negative reactions are reported promptly to help avoid any more victims. To take the weight off of your shoulders, your medical provider may aid with this step. Your attorney may also be of help representing you in your report to the FDA.

Document the Details of Your Accident

A critical step to protect your version of the details regarding a defective medication is to create a file with every piece of information relating to your accident that includes records, any analyses of your physical condition, and even pictures and videos if applicable. You’ll want a comprehensive collection of everything you experienced during the accident recorded in a secure and easily accessible file for your and your attorney’s review. You also shouldn’t throw away any paperwork about your accident until reviewed by your lawyer for applicable information.

Follow Doctor’s Orders

When you are facing the repercussions of a defective drug accident, you want to ensure that you strictly follow each of their recommendations — in part to avoid any allegations of neglecting your own medical care.

You’ll also want your doctor to keep a thorough record of the progress of your recovery for potential reference in later steps of the litigation process.

Impacted by Defective Drugs? Call Our Utah Dangerous Drugs Law Firm

You shouldn’t have to simply tolerate the long-lasting effects of a dangerous drug accident when there are passionate professionals ready to advocate for you. Finding the right representation can be an impactful step that protects you in more ways than one. Millions of people all around the country rely on prescription medication, and the team at Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers is here to protect people like you in the event of an unforeseen medical incident.

Navigating the claim process can be confusing and overwhelming at times, but with the team at Valley Law, you’ll gain a team of skilled advocates who can be there to watch your back and answer any of your most pressing questions along the way. Call us at call (801) 810-9999 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and case review.