Countless people rely on over-the-counter and prescription drugs to treat a vast range of ailments or to improve their quality of life. Yet, sometimes these drugs can inflict more harm than good. If a medication is tainted or hazardous, it can cause damages and losses that turn your entire life upside down.
When you purchase a medication from the store or are prescribed medication by a doctor, you have a reasonable expectation that these drugs are safe for consumption. Therefore, if you took medicine and sustained injuries, a Bangor dangerous drugs lawyer can help you hold the careless drug manufacturer or pharmaceutical company financially accountable. Contact Gideon Asen LLC today to discuss your unique situation with a dedicated personal injury attorney.
Dangerous Medication Side Effects
Adverse medication reactions and side effects can cause severe, life-altering injuries. Some of the most common reactions include:
- Respiratory problems
- Stroke and blood clots
- Heart attack
- Compulsive behaviors
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Cancer
- Suicidal thoughts
- Congenital disabilities
If someone has sustained harm of this nature after taking an over-the-counter or prescription drug, they should seek medical attention immediately. While an injured party focuses on recovering, a Bangor dangerous drugs attorney can investigate the reactions and side effects and help collect the evidence to prove liability for a claim.
The Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Categories
Dangerous and defective drug civil actions will fall within one of three categories. According to 14 Maine Revised Statutes Annotated § 221, when a drug manufacturer, pharmaceutical company, or retailer sells medication to consumers in a defective condition, they could be held liable for related losses.
If this is the case, a plaintiff could legally recover compensation for the damages caused by an unreasonably dangerous medication. A knowledgeable Bangor attorney can review the case details to help determine the dangerous medication defect that led to the injuries. The three categories in which a defective drug civil lawsuit may fall include:
Defective Manufacturing
Defective manufacturing is an error during the medication’s production phase. When this type of defect occurs, it usually only affects the drugs the producer is manufacturing at that time.
Defective Design
A design defect occurs during the medication blueprint and because the drug maker fails to do adequate testing. In most cases, a design defect will affect all the medications the manufacturer produced using that blueprint.
Failure to Provide Adequate Warnings or Instructions
Failure to provide adequate instructions occurs when the drug maker fails to include proper instructions for taking the medication, and injuries occur. Failure to warn happens when the maker does not advise consumers of all potential hazards related to the drug.
The Potential Damages in Defective Drug Lawsuits
After successfully proving liability, the court may award compensation under two categories: economic damages (monetary) and non-economic damages. Monetary damages address losses that have a settled value. For example, they could cover current and future medical expenses and the loss of salary and future earning potential. Non-economic damages address losses with no settled value, such as mental pain and anguish or physical pain and suffering.
A Bangor dangerous drugs attorney can help an injured party verify any out-of-pocket monetary losses for economic damages with medical bills and other documentation. The court will determine non-economic losses depending on details surrounding the case and the extent of injuries.
Schedule a Consultation with an Experienced Bangor Dangerous Drugs Attorney
Prescription and over-the-counter medications are on the market to help you feel better. Therefore, if these drugs cause or worsen your harm, you may be eligible to pursue legal action against the negligent manufacturer.
Liability claims against drug makers are complex and require skilled litigation, negotiations, and strong knowledge of the civil court process. Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you from start to finish of your case and help ensure that no procedural roadblocks stop you from getting the compensation you deserve. Call Gideon Asen LLC today to schedule a consultation with a seasoned Bangor dangerous drugs lawyer.
