When a patient goes to the doctor and is given a prescription, one of the first things the patient is likely to ask is “what are the potential side effects?” Indeed, most pharmaceutical drugs have side effects of some kind, ranging from the mild to the more severe. In some cases, there is even the risk of serious injury or death.
Ultimately, the choice is left up to the patient to weigh the risks of taking the medication against continuing to suffer from their current ailment. However, when a drug company markets its drug in a misleading fashion, the patient cannot make an educated decision about the pros and cons of taking the prescription mediation.
In these types of cases, it is possible that a patient who is hurt after taking a medication can sue the drug manufacturer, alleging one of several available theories. In essence, many personal injury claims based on dangerous pharmaceuticals allege that, had the patient known the real dangers of taking the medication at the time, they would not have taken it. Of course, these cases are quite complex and often rely on medical and scientific expert testimony to prove the necessary causation element.
Merck to Pay Out Another $830 Million for Vioxx Cases
Over 10 years ago, Merck pulled the prescription medication Vioxx off the shelves after there were substantiated claims that the drug can lead to an increase in heart attacks and strokes. Just last week, Merck agreed to pay another $830 million in relation to the dangerous drug. Although this sum was payable to investors, rather than those who took the drug and were injured by it, the lawsuit shows Merck’s level of culpability regarding the knowledge it had of the drug’s dangers.
According to one recent news report, the total that Merck has paid out in personal injury lawsuits and government fines is roughly $8.5 billion. Back in 2007, Merck ended up paying out almost $6 billion to patients who had taken Vioxx and suffered serious injuries as a result. And again in 2012, Merck paid out $220 million in similar claims. The remaining claims were in relation to Merck’s liability to investors and the government for misrepresenting their product.
Have You Been Injured by a Dangerous or Recalled Drug?
If you or a loved one has recently been harmed by a prescription or over-the-counter medication, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from the manufacturer of the drug. As noted above, these claims can be exceedingly complex and should be handled by a team of attorneys who are experienced in this area of the law. The skilled Maryland personal injury advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers know what it takes to recover compensation for their clients who were injured by dangerous drugs. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation. Calling is always free, and you will not be responsible for a dime unless we can recover for you in your case.
More Blog Posts:
Recalled Drugs and Pharmacy Liability, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, January 4, 2016.
The Ease of Obtaining an Opioid Prescription, Even After an Overdose, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, January 18, 2016.