Serious Side Effects That Could Lead to a Dangerous Drug Claim
When you take medicine, you expect it to relieve your symptoms without much incident. But that isn’t always the case. 1.5 million Americans visit the emergency room each year due to adverse reactions to harmful medication, with 500,000 needing hospitalization.
These effects could leave victims with serious long-term conditions or even prove fatal. If you’ve recently experienced a serious side effect from a dangerous drug, you have the right to file a claim for damages. Learn more about the most harmful side effects and how to know if you actually have a case on your hands.
What’s Considered A “Serious” Side Effect?
Almost every medication has side effects, but some are far more serious than others. A few serious side effects you might see in dangerous drug cases might be:
- Vision or hearing loss
- Heart problems
- Severe infections
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage or failure
- Fatal injuries like strokes or heart attacks
- Blood clots
- Pancreatitis or lung damage
- Seizures, confusion, memory loss
- Depression or suicidal thoughts
- Severe gastrointestinal Issues
Sign You May Have a Dangerous Drug Case
Symptoms Were Not Properly Disclosed
Not every secondary effect leads to a lawsuit. However, there are some cases where they might fail to acknowledge certain risks. In extreme cases, they may be aware but choose not to disclose any information.
No matter the reason, consumers have the legal right to know about these risks. Manufacturers must provide clear and adequate warnings about any ingredients they use and the medication itself. These warnings typically appear on prescription labels and in medication guides or are disclosed by a pharmacist or doctor.
The important point is that the manufacturer was transparent with anyone taking these medications. If you never had a clear warning about a potential complication and became ill, this could potentially lead to a claim.
The Drug Was Recalled
Drug recalls are relatively common, with 14,000 of them happening in the last 10 years. Some occur early in the testing process, while others occur after a major incident or widespread harm.
If you experienced serious side effects and want to know if your drug was recalled, check the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recall list to see if it’s on there. A drug may also be under investigation for serious complications, and there may have been public alerts issued without an official recall. In these cases, a drug being investigated may also be enough to support your case.
Multiple People Report Similar Harm
Getting sick after taking a prescription drug could be written off as an isolated situation. But if multiple people are experiencing the same reactions, it’s probably not a coincidence. Check news reports or research online for information on major public alerts. If many people are showing consistent issues over time, you might find existing mass tort lawsuits or settlements tied to your medication.
How a Dangerous Drug Claim Can Help
Experiencing a serious side effect after taking a prescription drug isn’t something you ignore. Our Long Island medical malpractice lawyers have been defending victims who were injured by harmful drugs for decades. We’ll hold manufacturers responsible for their actions and help you secure the compensation you’re rightfully entitled to. Please contact us online or at (866) 574-0825 for a free case review today.