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Ohio Dangerous Drugs Lawyers
Strong advocacy for patients and families harmed by defective or dangerous medications
Pharmaceutical companies need to ensure that the drugs they develop are safe. Normally, drugs must be approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Manufacturers need to stop production and advise the healthcare industry if their drugs are recalled by the FDA or by pharmaceutical companies. Hospitals, doctors, and pharmacists need to understand the dangers of prescribing certain drugs and what drug interactions may cause harm. At Crandall & Pera Law, we work with drug safety professionals to show a drug that caused your or a loved one harm was defective, recalled, or dangerous. We work with physicians who understand when doctors commit medical mistakes. Our Ohio dangerous drug lawyers are skilled at filing product liability claims and medical malpractice claims. Call us for help today.
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How does the FDA regulate drugs?
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and generic drugs. Their authority is based on the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Pharmaceutical companies are required to provide clear scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of their drugs. Only approved drugs can be marketed and sold throughout Ohio and across the country or prescribed by physicians and hospitals.
The FDA conducts research to ensure the drugs work as intended and are of high quality. The FDA continues to monitor drugs after they are approved. The monitoring includes data including complaints - from patients, drug manufacturing companies, and physicians. The monitoring includes reports of adverse reactions, illnesses, and any physical or psychological harm each drug may cause.
What is a drug recall?
The FDA or a drug manufacturer may recall a drug if, during the monitoring process, the review shows that the drug is not safe or does not provide the medical benefit the drug manufacturer claims. When the FDA is involved in a drug recall, the agency will develop a strategy for assessing how the recall should take place – who should be contacted, how people should be contacted, and what steps should be taken to prevent any harm they may have occurred (or may occur) based on the use of the drug. Family doctors and specialists should advise their patients of any recalls, stop prescribing the drug, and inform the patient what else they should do.
What prescription and OTC drugs are known to be dangerous?
Drugs may be dangerous, in combination with other drugs, if a patient has certain risk favors or for other reasons. Some of the drugs that are dangerous include:
- Opioid medications can cause addiction
- Acetaminophen can cause liver damage
- Anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines) can cause overdosing and dementia
- Anticoagulants can cause internal and external bleeding
- Antidepressants can cause Serotonin syndrome, suicidal ideation, internal bleeding
- Anti-hypertensive drugs can cause “high blood pressure, acute renal failure, cerebrovascular complications”
- Bromocriptine
- Clarithromycin
- Clozapine
- Colchicine
- Cough medicines can be deadly if combined with antihistamines and can cause accidents
- NSAIDs, when combined with other blood thinners
- Illegal drugs
- Sildenafil
- Spironolactone
- Many other drugs, including:
- Birth defects due to certain drugs
- Birth control medications
- Diet medication disorders
- Heart medication disorders
- Hormone replacement medication disorders
- Dialysis medication disorders
- Many other dangerous medications, according to FDA and pharmaceutical company recalls
What types of injuries can patients suffer from dangerous drugs in Ohio?
Dangerous drugs can cause harm in different ways depending on the drug, the patient, the patient’s illness, and other factors.
Dangerous drugs can:
- Cause direct physical or psychological harm
- Delay proper medications from being given
- Cause dangerous interactions with other medications
- Cause a patient to die
- Cause a patient to live with constant pain and suffering
- Prevent a patient from enjoying life’s pleasures
- Prevent a patient from earning a living
- Require that a patient undergo long-term rehabilitative care
Other possible consequences of dangerous drugs include shock (for example, anaphylactic shock can be fatal), paralysis or other dangers to the central nervous system, kidney failure, stroke, and heart attacks.
Who is liable for defective or dangerous drugs in Ohio?
At Crandall & Pera Law, we file medical malpractice and product liability claims when patients are injured or loved ones die due to the use of dangerous drugs.
- Medical malpractice claims. Hospitals, ER doctors, family doctors, specialty physicians, and pharmacists may be liable for failing to understand the side effects of the drugs they prescribe (or fill), what other drugs that patient is taking, the dangerous interactions, a patient’s risk factors, whether a drug has been recalled, and other failures based on current acceptable/unacceptable medical practices.
- Product liability claims. Our Ohio dangerous drug laws file claims (and participate in class actions) when drug manufacturers make and distribute drugs that are defectively designed, defectively made, or fail to include proper warnings. We also file claims (and participate in class actions) when drug manufacturers fail to comply with FDA recalls or their own recalls.
- Personal injury claims. These are claims (based on medical malpractice, product liability, or other grounds) in which the patient survives and suffers physical harm due to the use of the drug.
- Wrongful death claims. These are claims (based on medical malpractice, product liability, or other grounds) brought by families when a loved one dies due to the use of a dangerous drug.
Other grounds for a claim may include misrepresentations about a drug’s effectiveness, a breach of any warranties, and improper off-label marketing.
Do you have an Ohio lawyer near me who can handle my drug injury case?
Crandall & Pera Law represents patients and families when drugs cause injuries or fatalities. Our office is located at 850 Euclid Ave #1122, Cleveland, OH 44114. We also have locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, Chesterland and Chagrin Falls. If your injuries or diseases prevent you from coming to our office, we will make alternate arrangements. Our attorneys also speak with patients and families by phone and through video conferences.
We’re here to explain your rights and guide you through each step of the claims process.
Speak with our experienced Ohio medical malpractice lawyers now
Accident victims, the elderly, children, and adults of all ages need to take drugs at some time. At Crandall & Pera Law, we have 50 years of combined experience holding drug manufacturers and medical professionals accountable when they fail to protect their patients. We work with you to obtain the compensation you need to pursue medical care and start rebuilding your life. Our team can also fight for you if your loved one dies due to a dangerous drug. Call us now or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.