Prescription drugs have extended the average life expectancy over the past century, and over-the-counter medications have lessened the effects of colds, flu, pain, and gastric problems. Medicine is a marvel. With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oversight, drugs are tested and monitored to ensure their safety and are pulled from the shelves if problems arise.
Sometimes, however, harmful drugs are not pulled in time, resulting in many people being needlessly hurt. If you regularly took an over-the-counter or prescribed medicine and became seriously ill, our team of dangerous drug lawyers may be able to help.
Reach out to Richmond Vona, LLC today to set up a free consultation with seasoned legal counsel.
Is the Manufacturer Solely Liable for Defective Drugs?
Before a drug is released to the public, scientists test it, monitoring clinical trials as the FDA oversees the process. Sometimes, manufacturers will fudge results or rush to release a drug with minimal testing and can be held responsible if the side effects outweigh the good it does. Other individuals and entities in the chain of commerce could also be held responsible for negligence in promoting a defective drug, including:
- Laboratories responsible for conducting tests
- Doctors who overprescribe
- Distributors
- Nursing homes or hospitals that overmedicate patients
- Pharmacies that mistake patient instructions
Some drugs have caused people a lifetime of medical problems. We believe those responsible should pay for lost wages, ongoing medical care, pain, emotional distress, suffering, and the strain on family relationships. Our harmful drug attorneys in New York consider multiple defendants to maximize injured persons’ compensation.
Ways a Drug Can Be Defective
Manufacturing Defects
The manufacturer is responsible for defects that occur when the drug is made. If an unintended substance is introduced into a batch, if the storage temperature fluctuates too much, or if the product is not labeled correctly, a claim could be made for a defective drug.
Design Defects
A design defect can be actionable because the problems a bad formula causes will occur in all batches and may not show up until enough people suffer from the side effects. For example, the drug Zantac, sold without a prescription and used to treat heartburn, contained ranitidine, known to cause cancer.
Marketing Defects
Most people are familiar with television and print advertising touting a company’s drugs. These ads disclose the side effects so those who might benefit from taking them can weigh the risks and rewards with their physicians.
But pharmaceutical companies are still required to include warning labels on their products. If they do not warn consumers about dangers and side effects, these companies could find themselves as defendants in negligence claims. Our knowledgeable attorneys are standing by to discuss how dangerous drugs have affected New York residents.
Let A New York Dangerous Drugs Attorney Advocate for You
Prescribed and over-the-counter drugs provide many individuals with much-needed treatment and care. With FDA oversight, you can generally feel confident that what you are ingesting will help you, but if drug companies put profits over people’s safety, you could be injured.
If you were prescribed or bought drugs over the counter and experienced side effects you were not warned about, or if the drug you took was inherently dangerous, call us. One of our tenacious dangerous drug lawyers is here to advocate for you.
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John Richmond has been extremely helpful on several occasions with matters we presented to him. I was very impressed with the exceptional diligence and professionalism he exhibited in successfully handling those issues. He took into consideration my thoughts and reasons behind the items I felt needed to be addressed. He went out of his way to make meeting with us a very convenient and pleasant experience. When our son required assistance with a custody issue we again went to Mr. Richmond. As it was an issue that was outside the scope of his expertise he did not hesitate to recommend another attorney in the field which was needed. That attorney was also exceptional and that case was also successfully resolved and for that recommendation we truly thank him. We will, beyond any doubt, utilize his firm and services for any matters that may arise in the future. I do not hesitate to highly recommend Mr. Richmond and his firm.
My experience with Richmond Vona was exceptional. Keith and John gave my case all the attention required to bring about a successful result. They were a calming and confident presence during a very difficult time in my life. I was never treated like a number, but more like family. They were in constant communication with me to make sure that everything I was going through was taken care of. I appreciate all of the support I received from Keith and John. I am proud to be part of the Richmond Vona family, and would highly recommend them to anyone
Let me be honest, I’ve been skeptical of attorneys in the past…. but Keith Vona and Richmond Vona, LLC changed that. They are professional, caring, thorough and trustworthy. They assisted me and my family with a challenging mesothelioma case. Challenging why, because my father passed before he could testify. Keith remained in contact, updated us regularly and I believe went above and beyond normal due diligence. I would highly recommend Richmond Vona, LLC. Thank you for all you have done for our family!!
