When you have a headache, you probably do not even think twice before taking an aspirin or other mild pain reliever to get rid of it. When you have a more serious illness, you trust that the medication recommended by your physician will treat your condition appropriately. The public should feel confident that the drugs they take will not produce unknown side-effects or make anything worse, if used properly. Unfortunately, not all medication that is available to consumers through over-the-counter purchases or by prescription is safe.
If you experienced harm after taking some medicine, a professional personal injury lawyer may be able to explain how you could recover the damages needed to make up for your medical expenses. A League City dangerous drugs lawyer is your partner in this fight.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers owe the public a duty of care to produce medicine that is as reasonably safe as possible for its intended use. Companies should work carefully on their drug designs and must test any proposed new medication by following the rigorous testing protocols set forth by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The testing process should be long enough to observe any adverse effects of the drug and involve a diverse sample of the population.
For instance, drug companies should see if a drug works as well with an elderly woman as it does with a young man. Although some side effects are inevitable with just about every drug, manufacturers should use their best efforts to minimize those side effects. When they learn of negative effects, they need to fully disclose them on the medication’s pill bottle or with the packaging, so that doctors and consumers can make informed choices.
A local League City lawyer has much experience with claims against drug manufacturers. They know how to build individual claims and have also successfully helped people join with other consumers injured by the drug in large class action lawsuits.
Parties other than drug manufacturers can also be legally responsible for injuries resulting from medication mistakes when drugs that should be safe are proven to be dangerous.
Physicians who prescribe drugs needs to ensure they do not make any mistakes. They should carefully review their patient’s medical background to determine if they have any drug allergies or if they are currently taking other drugs that could negatively interact with the proposed new drug.
When they prescribe the new medicine, physicians must also ensure they give the right dosage that fits the individual patient’s size and age. Giving too much of a drug could cause a patient to overdose, and giving too little could fail to improve the patient’s illness. Doctors must also write out their prescriptions neatly and give their patients precise directions on how to properly take the new medicine.
The nurses or other medical practitioners who administer medication to patients must ensure they follow the doctor’s instructions. They must check that they are giving the drug to the right patient, and they must give the proper dosage at the correct time.
Pharmacists must fill prescriptions correctly. If they are aware that the consumer is taking another drug that could counteract with the proposed new medication, the pharmacist should alert the consumer.
A lawyer in League City knows how to investigate defective drug accidents to identify who was responsible for the error, and file a lawsuit for damages.
When they work correctly, certain drugs can cure your illnesses and make you feel better. However, when a medication is inherently dangerous or a doctor prescribes the wrong drug, people can suffer severe health effects, potentially even wrongful death. If you or your loved one has experienced an illness in this way, you need qualified legal assistance immediately to address your losses. Speak with our League City dangerous drugs lawyer today during a free consult.
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