Have you ever taken a prescription medication that turned out to be defective? If so, then you know the terrible physical and emotional toll this kind of experience can take on you. Unfortunately, defective drug injuries are all too common in today’s world. To ensure your safety when considering or utilizing drugs prescribed by your doctor, it is important to be informed about what constitutes a defect and your legal rights if a defective drug should harm you.
In this post, we’ll dive into the details of defective drug injuries: What they are, how to identify them, and contacting a Lansing personal injury attorney to pursue justice for such an injury if need be. Read on for more vital information about these potentially life-altering occurrences.
What Are Defective Drug Injuries?
Defective drug injuries are a type of personal injury that occurs when someone is harmed due to an unsafe or defective pharmaceutical product. These types of injuries can range from mild to severe and may even result in death. In most cases, the responsible party is liable for any damages caused.
Common causes of defective drug injuries include;
Manufacturing defects; Involve faulty ingredients or processes that make the drugs unsafe for human use.
Prescription errors; are made by prescribing physicians who fail to recognize potential risks associated with certain medications or do not provide accurate information about how drugs should be used properly.
Labeling mistakes; happen when manufacturers fail to include proper warnings about the potential side effects or use of a drug.
Inadequate warnings on labels and packaging; may also result in defective drug injuries if consumers are not provided with enough information to make an informed decision about the safety of taking a medication.
Contamination; It can occur when drugs become contaminated during manufacturing or storage processes, allowing contaminants such as bacteria, fungi, and other harmful substances to enter the drug product.
Injuries Caused By Defective Drugs
Defective drugs can cause significant harm to your body. Some injuries associated with defective drugs include;
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Stroke
One of the most serious injuries caused by defective drugs is stroke, which affects a person’s brain and can cause life-altering damage. Strokes occur when blockages in the neural pathways prevent the brain from getting enough oxygen, leading to its inability to function properly. In addition to physical pain, strokes often result in memory or visual impairments, which can be incredibly difficult for the sufferer to cope with.
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Heart Attack
Defective drugs can be silent killers, as the dangers to your health may remain unknown until it’s too late. For example, heart attacks are one of the most common injuries caused by defective drugs. This insidious side-effect is often not obvious until someone has suffered serious damage. People taking medication should remain vigilant and talk to their doctors if they experience any chest pain, discomfort, or even general malaise that could potentially be an indicator of a looming heart attack.
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Cancers
Because these medications cause undetected damage to our cells, they can spur the growth of cancerous tumors or encourage existing ones to spread. Recognizing the signs and symptoms quickly is one of the best ways to mitigate any long-term harm caused by taking defective drugs.
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Organ Perforation
The idea of an injury caused by a defective drug is harrowing, leaving innocent patients in agony. Yet one of the more distressing injuries caused by faulty medicines is organ perforation – a misfortunate event where a person’s internal organs are conceivably punctured and pierced, leading to further complications and further physical damage. Such an occurrence can bring about unimaginable suffering that no person should have to endure.
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Birth Defects
It is a heartbreaking reality that the tiny, fragile bodies of these little ones may suffer due to the negligence of drug companies and manufacturers. As parents, there is nothing worse than knowing that our children may be hurt because of things outside of our control. The damages can be permanent or even life-threatening.
What To Do In Case Of A Defective Drug Injury
If you experience any kind of medical issue after taking a defective drug, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Inform your doctor that you believe the health problem was caused by the drug you were prescribed. Document everything and keep track of all expenses related to your injuries, such as hospital bills and medications.
Reach out to an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal process and help you pursue the justice you deserve. Your lawyer will review all relevant records and documents in order to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their negligence.
