Prescription drug injuries are on the rise. In fact, prescription drugs are now the third most common cause of injury in America. And while some might think that these injuries would be limited to adults, this is not true at all.
Children who take them can become addicted and have severe side effects that could lead to death or even organ damage if left untreated.
Read on for 4 things you should know about prescription drug injuries, so you can avoid them in your own life or have a better understanding of what others are going through.
Lawyers Can Help You With Prescription Drug-Related Injuries And Accidents
Doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies are supposed to warn you about the dangers of prescription drugs. But sometimes they don’t because of pressure by pharmaceutical companies to sell more drugs.
If you were injured after taking a prescription drug, it would be in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible, so they can start building your case immediately.
One of the best ways that a lawyer can help you is by identifying the people and corporations that may be liable for your injuries.
As the team behind DSSLaw explain, a lawyer also has an understanding of federal and state law and how it applies to your case, which will help you get the compensation you may need for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The lawyer will work with authorities on your behalf to ensure that they follow through and investigate your claim in a timely fashion.
Prescription Drug-Related Injuries Are On The Rise
The number of people who are injured or die each year as a result of taking prescription drugs has actually tripled between 2004 and 2013. This means that the chances of you being injured by prescription drugs have increased exponentially, especially if you take multiple medications on a regular basis.
What this could mean for you is that your bottle of pills may be responsible for your injuries instead of something else like an accident or fall. The dangers increase when patients don’t do their research before they start taking prescriptions because the side effects can be severe even to those who have no allergies or sensitivities to medications.
However, sometimes these injuries occur due to negligence on the part of medical professionals, so it’s important for them to know what they are prescribing.
Several Types Of Prescription Drug-Related Injuries
There are many different types of prescription drugs that can be responsible for an injury. Some of the most common side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure, addiction, hypertension (high blood pressure), liver damage, and stroke to name a few.
It’s not always easy for people who take these medications to realize what’s happening because they think it’s normal until someone points it out, or their doctor brings it up.
Another thing that should be pointed out is the link between older adults and injury due to prescription drugs. Older people tend to have more health problems, which means they are prescribed more medication.
This also means that if something goes wrong with one drug then there is a chance for others in the system which could lead to a negative reaction. In fact, older adults have a higher risk of being prescribed medication that can hurt their health, so it’s important for them to watch out for signs of injury from prescription drugs as well as any other type of drug or alcohol abuse.
Prescription Drug-Related Injuries Are Serious Business
You would think that if someone is injured by taking a prescription drug, they would be able to sue the pharmaceutical company, but you would be wrong. This is because, under federal law, consumers cannot directly sue manufacturers of generic drugs for injuries sustained after taking their product.
There are some exceptions, but these cases are extremely rare, and it’s more common for consumers to settle with the pharmacy or insurance company that pays out on claims related to prescription drugs.
The issue here is that there are limited options when it comes to suing over serious injuries due to prescription medications or other types of medication, which leads many people down a road where they have no idea what steps to take next.
If this has happened, then you might want to contact a lawyer who can help you understand whether or not you have a case. This is especially true if the drug was never approved by the FDA, or it had dangerous side effects that were concealed, which would mean that someone may be liable for your injuries.
Prescription drugs can be a savior to many people, but they also come with many risks. It’s important for patients to understand the side effects and take precautions before taking medication, as well as knowing their legal rights if something goes wrong.
If you’re injured by your prescription drug or think that someone else is at risk because of an unsafe product, then it may be time to contact a lawyer who will work hard on your behalf and make sure everything is handled properly from start to finish.