Wrongful Death and Prescription Drugs: Don’t Be a Victim
In this day and age, many people have become dependent on pharmaceuticals to help them with their health conditions. It seems like every other commercial on TV is promoting a new pill. Pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing tons of new pills because people demand to have an instant cure for everything. Although we like to think that these pills will help without any complications, we’re beginning to witness that this is not always the case. There are people who have died because of these dangerous or defective pills and the number of wrongful death lawsuits has risen in recent years.
Yaz Under Fire
One company in particular, Bayer, a German-based pharmaceutical company (we know them for its original brand of aspirin), has received attention in recent years for the controversial Yaz birth control pill. The contraceptive has been known to cause fatal medical conditions including blood clots, heart attack, stroke, cervical cancer, and kidney failure, just to name a few. The side effects are common, but many women are reluctant to file a lawsuit.
One woman is taking matters into her own hands, though, when her 18-year-old daughter, Michelle Pfleger, died from a massive blood clot. Joan Cummins is currently suing Bayer, claiming that the Yaz birth control contributed to her daughter’s sudden death. Michelle had been taking the pill for a year for acne problems. This is just one case of many that is shedding light on dangerous pharmaceutical pills.
Despite the warning labels on pharmaceutical pills, people continue to take them. Perhaps these wrongful death lawsuits will create more awareness and force companies to be more transparent about the dangers of taking these pills.
Protect Yourself From Wrongful Death Related to Pharmaceutical Pills
So, how can you ensure that you don’t become a victim of “Big Pharma”?
The most important thing you can do is research any pill that a doctor prescribes to you. Find out all the ingredients contained in the pill, but most of all, know and understand any adverse side effects. Even a simple internet search on a particular drug should reveal any studies, problems, or lawsuits associated with it.
Talk with your doctor about how to recognize any unusual reactions or symptoms related to the prescription you will be taking. Many people make the mistake of thinking, “Oh, I won’t have any side effects. I’m a very healthy person.” Keep in mind, though, that even some of the healthiest people have been affected by prescription drugs.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a prescription drug such as Yaz, contact our office to find out what recourse you have. We are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve if you’ve suffered any serious side affects.