Your Dangerous Drug Lawyer in Lexington, NC
If you or someone you care about has been hurt by a prescription or over-the-counter drug, you may need legal help to get compensation. A Lexington dangerous drug lawyer from Lewis & Keller can support you in pursuing the compensation you may deserve for injuries caused by prescription medication.
In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gets over 2 million reports each year about bad drug reactions, including serious injuries and deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adverse drug events (ADE) cause more than 1.5 million people to visit emergency rooms annually. On top of this, the CDC reports that nearly 500,000 of these emergency department visits require hospitalization.
Drug companies have a duty to make sure their medications are safe, but dangerous drugs still reach consumers sometimes. If you’ve been harmed because of poor warnings, bad manufacturing, or misleading advertising, you could be entitled to compensation. Consulting with a Lexington dangerous drug lawyer can help you discover what you may be owed and plan your next steps for recovering compensation.
Contact a dangerous drug lawyer in Lexington, NC today for a free consultation.
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Table of Contents
- What Are Dangerous Drugs?
- What To Do If You Are Injured By A Dangerous Drug
- Types Of Dangerous Prescription Drug Cases And Lawsuits We Handle
- How Do Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Settlements Work
- Possible Compensation for Prescription Drug Injuries
- What Kind Of Evidence Can I Use In A Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Case?
- What Happens If A Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Goes To Trial
- FAQs About Dangerous Drug Injuries
- Contact a Dangerous Drug Lawyer in Lexington, North Carolina
What Are Dangerous Drugs?
Dangerous drugs are medications that can cause unexpected or severe side effects, injuries, or even death. This can happen for several reasons, including manufacturing defects, design defects, or failure to warn about potential risks.
- Manufacturing defects occur when a drug is contaminated or improperly produced, making it more dangerous than intended.
- Design defects mean that the drug is inherently unsafe even when made correctly, often due to inadequate testing or overlooked risks.
- Failure to warn happens when a manufacturer does not disclose known dangers, misleading doctors and patients about potential side effects.
Some examples of dangerous drugs include defective painkillers, antidepressants with hidden risks, and blood thinners that cause excessive bleeding. These drugs often remain on the market for years before safety concerns become widely known. Many manufacturers only take action—such as issuing recalls or updating warnings—after significant harm has already occurred. The FDA categorizes recalls based on severity, with Class I recalls addressing the most critical health threats.If you have suffered due to a dangerous drug, you may have grounds for legal action. Even if a recall has already been issued, you might still have a case, especially if you weren’t properly warned or the drug remained accessible despite known risks. If you have any questions about pursuing compensation, contact us for a free consultation.
What To Do If You Are Injured By A Dangerous Drug
If a drug causes you harm, take the following steps to protect your health and your rights:
- Seek medical attention immediately to address any injuries or complications.
- Keep all of the medication as it can serve as important evidence.
- Document your experience by keeping records of your symptoms, medical treatment, and the drug you were taking.
- Report the incident to the FDA through the MedWatch program.
- Consult a dangerous drug lawyer to learn about your legal options.
Taking these steps can help you build a strong case if you decide to seek compensation.
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Who’s Liable For Prescription Drug Damages
Liability for prescription drug injuries can fall on several parties, depending on the circumstances:
- Drug manufacturers may be held responsible if the drug is defective or lacks proper warnings.
- Pharmaceutical distributors and retailers could share liability if they failed to follow safety regulations.
- Healthcare providers might also be held accountable if they improperly prescribe or administer the drug.
An experienced Lexington dangerous drug lawyer can help determine who is liable in your case.
How Do Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Settlements Work?
Dangerous drug lawsuits typically resolve through settlements rather than trials. In these cases, the drug manufacturer agrees to pay compensation to avoid further legal costs and publicity. The settlement amount depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, and other damages.
Because prescription drugs are distributed throughout the country, many other people have likely been hurt by the same drug. When you hire a dangerous drug attorney for your case, they may find an existing class-action lawsuit that you may be able to join. If your situation is unique or severe enough, your lawyer may recommend pursuing an individual claim.
For your claim to succeed, it will need to prove the liability of the pharmaceutical company and its negligence. With a lawyer’s help, you can organize a strong claim and begin negotiating with the liable company.
Negotiating a fair settlement can be complex. That’s why it’s important to have legal representation to advocate for your interests. If no settlement is reached, the dangerous drug attorneys from Lewis & Keller are prepared to take your claim to trial and fiercely fight for your rights.
How Long Do I Have To File A Dangerous Drug Lawsuit In North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including dangerous drug lawsuits, is generally 3 years from the date of injury. However, exceptions may apply, such as when the injury was not immediately apparent.
It’s crucial to act quickly to avoid missing the deadline. Working with a dangerous drug lawyer in Lexington can help you meet the statute of limitations while handling other important paperwork and communications. Your lawyer can also help you understand if legal exceptions apply to your case.
Possible Compensation for Prescription Drug Injuries
If you were hurt by a prescription, you may deserve financial compensation for your injuries and the associated costs. In the field of personal injury law, we call this compensation damages. In a dangerous drug claim or lawsuit, there are several types of recoverable damages, including:
Medical Expenses
Compensation for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any future medical treatments related to your injury.
Lost Wages
Reimbursement for income you lost due to your inability to work while recovering from your injury.
Loss of Earning Capacity
Compensation if your injury permanently affects your ability to earn income.
Pain and Suffering
Damages for physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life caused by the injury.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, courts may award punitive damages to punish a drug manufacturer for particularly reckless or harmful behavior.
Your attorney can evaluate your case to determine which types of compensation you may be eligible to receive. As for the amount of compensation you could receive, it is different for every case. A dangerous drug attorney can help you review the costs of your injury to help you understand the amount of possible compensation for your case.
Our Results Speak For themselves
$
7000000
Motorcycle accident resulting in paralysis.
$
3000000
Auto accident resulting in post traumatic stress disorder.
$
1393000
Workplace accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
What Kind Of Evidence Can I Use In A Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Case?
Strong evidence is essential to proving your claim. This may include:
- Medical records detailing your treatment, diagnosis, and any medical advice you received regarding the drug. These records can help demonstrate the link between the drug and your injuries.
- The drug’s packaging and prescription information showing dosage instructions, warnings, and marketing claims. This can provide critical proof if inadequate warnings or incorrect labeling contributed to your injury.
- Expert testimony from medical professionals who can explain how the drug caused your injury and assess whether the manufacturer met safety and testing standards.
- Reports and studies documenting other similar injuries or side effects associated with the same drug. These reports can support the argument that the manufacturer was aware of the risks.
- Personal testimony detailing how the injury has affected your daily life, work, and overall well-being. This can help establish damages such as pain and suffering.
- Drug recall notices or FDA warnings, if applicable, can strengthen your case by showing regulatory actions against the drug manufacturer.
Preserving this evidence early in the process can help you build a strong and compelling case. Collecting all this information might seem intimidating, but an attorney can help you thoroughly collect this evidence so your claim has the best chance of succeeding.
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What Happens If A Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Goes To Trial
If a settlement isn’t reached, your case may go to trial. During the trial, both sides present evidence, and a judge or jury determines whether the drug manufacturer is liable. Trials can be lengthy and require extensive preparation, but they may result in higher compensation if you win.
Having an experienced lawyer to guide you through the process can make a significant difference in the outcome.
FAQs About Dangerous Drug Injuries
When Does The FDA Recall A Dangerous Drug?
The FDA might recall a drug if it is found to be dangerous and puts people’s health at serious risk. Recalls can happen for reasons like problems in how the drug was made, contamination, wrong labeling, or discovering serious side effects that weren’t known before. Recalls are ranked in three levels, with Class I being the most serious, needing quick action to keep people safe. Sometimes, instead of a full recall, the FDA may give safety warnings or suggest changing the drug’s label to explain the risks better.
Can I File A Lawsuit If I Didn’t Know The Risks Of The Drug I Was Taking?
Yes. Drug manufacturers are required to warn consumers of any known risks associated with their products. If they fail to do so, and you suffer harm as a result, you may have a legal case.
Do Dangerous Drug Lawsuits Include Class-Action Cases?
Yes, some dangerous drug lawsuits are filed as class actions when many people are affected by the same drug. But in some cases, individual lawsuits may be more appropriate to maximize your compensation.
Can I Sue If A Doctor Prescribed The Drug But I Still Got Injured?
Potentially. Even if a doctor prescribed the medication, the manufacturer may still be liable if the drug was defective or lacked proper warnings. Your attorney can review your case and help determine who is liable for your injury.
Contact a Dangerous Drug Lawyer in Lexington, North Carolina
If you’ve been harmed by a dangerous drug, you don’t have to face the challenges alone. At Lewis & Keller, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping individuals in Lexington, NC, pursue dangerous drug cases. We understand the impact such injuries can have on your life and are committed to fighting for the compensation you may deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us stand by your side in seeking justice.
