There are a lot of pharmaceuticals out there offering to treat a whole host of medical conditions. Television and print ads often promise certain results while disclosing side effects. Sometimes though, those promises are false and the list of side effects is not exhaustive, leaving those who take the medication at risk of harm. If harm does occur, then the victim may have legal recourse to recover his or her damages.
Class-action status was recently granted to those who brought claims against Forest Pharmaceuticals, makers of Lexapro and Celexa. According to filed claims, the manufacturer marketed their antidepressant drugs as safe for children though they were not approved for such use. Other claims allege the drugs misled consumers about side effects, and in at least one case the drugs are accused of causing a child's death shortly after birth.
Drugmakers must disclose their side effects so consumers can make fully informed decisions about their health. When they take these drugs without full knowledge of the potential side effects, they may suffer serious harm including a worsened medical condition, permanent disability, or death. Thus, when one suffers a patient injury due to defective or harmful drugs, he or she should consider taking legal action to recover his or her damages and to draw the issue to light.
Class action lawsuits that seek to impose pharmaceutical liability can be complicated, requiring difficult analysis of medical documents, witness accounts, and expert testimony. Yet, a qualified attorney can be quite helpful in this process, providing sound legal arguments to further victims' claims. With competent legal representation that fights for his or her legal rights, a victim can rest assured his case has the best chance possible of recovering compensation and putting a stop to the harm caused by dangerous and defective drugs.
