Mansfield Dangerous Drugs Lawyer
When a doctor prescribes a medication to help you get over an illness, manage a chronic condition, or lessen pain from an injury, it is natural to believe the product is safe. Yet some prescriptions and over the counter (OTC) medications cause severe side effects, adverse reactions, or illnesses. If you believe your recent medication experience caused bodily or mental harm, contact a Mansfield dangerous drugs lawyer to discuss your case.
An experienced personal injury attorney will determine if you should pursue your prescription or non-prescription drug claim, and provide information on the next steps. In addition to advising you on the right course of action, an attorney offers representation in settlement and trial settings to help you potentially receive compensation from the offending party.
What Constitutes a Dangerous Drug According to Texas Laws?
According to Chapter 483 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, a dangerous drug is any medication or medical device posing personal health risks. Also known as the Texas Dangerous Drugs Act, the code additionally states that dangerous drug bottles must feature labeling indicating hazards connected to misuse, such as those stating “Rx Only” or “Caution: federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription.”
While dangerous legal drugs typically fall under the prescription umbrella, there are a variety of non-prescription drugs that have caused serious health issues and fatalities. For example, in January of 2014 the FDA warned consumers about taking sodium phosphate laxatives, noting there had been 54 cases of severe side effects and 13 fatalities among those who overdosed or had pre-existing health conditions. Mansfield attorneys with experience in dangerous drug cases therefore encourage people to seek their advice regarding both prescription and non-prescription medication issues.
What are Some of the Most Hazardous Prescription Drugs?
Among the most harmful dangerous drugs causing severe side effects and death if they are not taken as prescribed include:
- Prednisone (cortisone)
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Blood thinners
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Statins (cholesterol medication)
- Painkillers
- ADHD & ADD medications
- Beta blockers
- Arthritis drugs
Those advised to take cortisone long-term, for example, can suffer reactions such as cataracts, diabetes, peptic ulcers, osteoporosis, intestinal bleeding, and hypertension .
Who is Libel in a Dangerous Drugs Case in Texas?
Dangerous drug liability typically concerns either the manufacturer, physician, or pharmacist. However, more than one party may be liable. For example, if a prescription drug gets contaminated due to insufficient cleanroom procedures, the pharmacist responsible for compounding actions would be liable. If the drug became contaminated during the manufacturing process and the physician prescribing the medication did not review the patient’s allergy chart or related health factors, both parties would be assigned liability by a Mansfield attorney. The patient may subsequently be eligible for damages including hospital, pharmacy, and doctors’ bills, future medical expenses, and ongoing physical therapy costs.
Consult with a Mansfield Dangerous Drugs Attorney Today
If you believe your medication or medical device issue was due to manufacturer, doctor, or pharmacist negligence, contact a Mansfield dangerous drugs lawyer today. An attorney with knowledge of dangerous drug cases may be able to help you create a claim that results in compensation.
Taking a drug you believed was safe and suffering the negative health effects traumatizes the mind as well as the body. Work with an attorney for peace of mind and to potentially let other people know why the drug is hazardous. You may find you are not the only one who has dealt with severe side effects, making it clear that the drug should either get taken off the market or re-labeled for stricter use. To learn more, be sure to schedule a consultation today.