We live in an age of medical breakthroughs and scientific advances that produce amazing and sometimes near-miraculous results. But there are dangers and risks associated with the advances of modern medicine. The very drugs and devices designed to benefit patients can sometimes cause severe harm or death. When drug and device manufacturers fail to properly study, monitor, and disclose the risks posed by a drug or device, patients may be seriously injured or killed.
It is the drug manufacturer’s responsibility to determine a drug’s risk through rigorous testing and to be honest and up front about those risks. Sometimes, in a rush to market and profit from a new drug, manufacturers fail to detect risks associated with a drug or fail to disclose possible adverse effects. As a result, dangerous drugs are released on the market leading to needless suffering and loss.
Unfortunately, approval of a drug or medical product by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not guarantee it is safe. Too often, physicians may not be advised of the dangers and risks associated with medical products. Even drugs approved by the FDA can be determined to pose risks. We represent clients who have placed their trust in the drug manufacturers, the FDA and their doctors. Sadly, that trust has been broken. Because of a drug, intended to help them, they now face devastating consequences.
Defective medical devices are equally culpable in causing injuries. The last decade has seen a growing number of medical devices recalled after severely injuring or killing an alarming number of people. Many patients turned to these devices seeking better health and an increase in quality of life and unfortunately many now face lifelong pain and suffering.
Highly complex cases involving dangerous drugs and devices are no place for the inexperienced. In order to be an effective advocate for the victims of dangerous drugs and devices, one needs legal expertise as well as an in-depth understanding of the science of medicine. It takes thorough preparation and smart legal strategies, especially when opposing a global medical giant. The Law Offices of John David Hart has spent over 28 years fighting for the victims of dangerous drugs and devices. We have represented individuals in a variety of dangerous drug and device cases, including:
- DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip replacement system
- DePuy Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip replacement system
- Biomet M2a Magnum hip replacement system
- Stryker Rejuvenate hip replacement system
- Zimmer Durom Cup
- Stryker ShapeMatch Cutting Guides
- Fosamax
- Yaz/Yasmin/Ocella
- Guidant
- Baycol
- Ortho Evra
- Medtronic Sprint Fidelis
- Vioxx
- Bextra
- Celebrex
When you are sick, you naturally want the best medication. You reasonably expect that some have side effects like an upset stomach or drowsiness, but what you never expect is for the medicine that was supposed to make you better to actually make you worse. Unfortunately, that very thing is happening every day all over the world.
Selling medicine is a business. Someone devises a new way to cure or treat a disease, conducts thorough research, manufactures, and sells it. But there are pharmaceutical companies out there who want to squeeze every penny they can from every pill, and that means taking shortcuts. They do not conduct adequate research, do not report the dangers they find, and do not care about the effects of their greed. They take shortcuts not only with the medicine, but with your health.
This practice is 100% illegal. The FDA exists to catch these problems and stop them before you or a loved one is hurt, but it does not always succeed. For the times when a drug has slipped through the cracks, dangerous drug lawyers exist. You should not have to bear the burden of a negligent company’s mistakes. However, it can be a long and difficult process to hold a pharmaceutical company responsible, so working with an experienced law firm like the Law Offices of John David Hart is crucial.
Additionally, the Law Offices of John David Hart is not limited just to suits involving medication. Often, medical equipment is necessary to dispense or monitor medication, or work as a treatment itself. When this equipment fails or becomes a danger to those using it, the manufacturer or designer should be accountable. The Law Offices of John David Hart is experienced in dealing with these types of cases.
A medical device lawsuit can be one of the most difficult types of lawsuits prosecuted. It requires not only a deep understanding of the medical regulations and consumer protection laws, but also a knowledge of proper medical practices regarding the defective medical device. Working with an experienced attorney is essential to getting a positive outcome.
If you suspect that you or someone you know was the victim of dangerous drugs or a defective medical device, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Each state has its own time limits for when a case can be filed, and if you file after those time limits, you have almost no chance of a successful case. Most states have a statute of limitations of at least a year, but few have as much as four years. Depending on the state and circumstances, that time limit can start when you first take the drug, when you first experience symptoms or other points in time. The sooner you consult with an experienced firm like the Law Offices of John David Hart, the sooner you can start prosecuting, helping you stay within the necessary statute of limitations.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one due to a dangerous drug or device, please contact our firm at 1-800-247-1623 or johnhart@hartlaw.com for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.