Pharmaceutical Liability Center
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pharmaceutical Liability
Q: What is "pharmaceutical liability?"
A: The term "pharmaceutical liability" refers to legal theories and ways to prove that a manufacturer of a pharmaceutical product, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, medical devices, dietary supplements and herbal remedies can be held responsible when its products injure people. The theories include strict products liability and negligence, though some states have statutes providing a single theory for recovering from a product manufacturer.
Q: Will I have to sue my doctor?
A: Your lawyer may conclude that your doctor might share the responsibility for your injuries. In some states, a jury may decide to assign the doctor a percentage of fault, even if the doctor is not sued, and you will not be able to collect the entire verdict from the manufacturer. In other states, the manufacturer may have to pay all your damages unless it persuades the jury that your doctor is at fault and will sue your doctor itself.
Pharmaceutical liability cases can be difficult to prove. If you have been injured by a drug and would like to bring a pharmaceutical liability case, it is important to contact an attorney who has experience handling these types of cases.
Medications Shouldn't Cause Harmful Side Effects
The FDA may say that pharmaceutical products are safe for the marketplace, but that doesn't mean that serious side effects don't often cause serious injuries and death. If you have been injured by a dangerous medication, you will be fighting for justice against some of the most powerful corporations in the world.
The senior partners of Laminack, Pirtle & Martines served as the lead attorneys in what was the single largest pharmaceutical injury jury award at the time. We know how the large drug companies fight to protect their profits, and we know how to fight to win.
Free consultation ? No attorneys' fees unless you win money damages
We invite you to learn more about pharmaceutical liability on this page. To talk to one of our attorney, call 713-292-2750, or contact us by e-mail to schedule a free consultation.
Pharmaceutical Liability - An Overview
"Pharmaceutical liability" is a term used to describe the legal consequences a manufacturer of drugs may face if its products injure people. Cases involving injuries caused by drugs, medical devices and other pharmaceuticals are a subset of products liability cases. Plaintiffs can bring claims against the manufacturer based on theories of strict liability, negligence or for failing to warn about potentially dangerous side effects. In some states, however, a statute creates a single claim for product injuries, which may combine aspects of the two. Contact Laminack, Pirtle & Martines in Houston, Texas, today to schedule a consultation with a lawyer who can explain pharmaceutical liability law, advise you about your rights and help you decide whether you can pursue a claim.
Building a Pharmaceutical Liability Case
Drugs and other medical products may suffer from a variety of defects, including design defects, manufacturing defects, problems with the testing of the drug or device, inadequate warnings or instructions for use, problems with the doctor's prescription or incorrect distribution by the pharmacist. Any of these defects can cause serious injuries. Adverse side effects are one of the most common problems with prescription and over-the-counter medications. Problems can also arise if the manufacturer failed to disclose adverse testing results or adverse reactions to the drug or if contaminates entered the product during manufacturing.
Protecting Yourself Against Risks
From a prescription drug to help control high blood pressure to over-the-counter pain relievers, many people take medications every day. In addition, herbal and nutritional supplements are a part of life for many people. Although these medicines can help you feel better and manage your symptoms, they have risks as well as benefits. Just because a drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not mean it is free from risks. The FDA approves a drug and considers it safe when the benefits outweigh the known risks. In fact, many risks are only discovered after a drug has been on the market for an extended period of time and a much larger number of patients than participated in the clinical trials have used the drug. There are steps you can take to minimize your risk of adverse reactions.
Dietary Supplements and Herbal Remedies
The production and sale of dietary supplements and herbal remedies is a huge and largely unregulated business in the United States. While dietary supplements and herbal remedies may be safe in most circumstances, they are not risk-free and can cause serious side effects, just as drugs do. The federal Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) governs the regulation of dietary supplements. DSHEA also sets forth rules for making claims about products and information that must appear on labels.
Medical Devices
Claims for injuries caused by medical devices are also included under the heading of pharmaceutical liability. Under Section 201 of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, a medical device is defined as "an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar article that is intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease." Examples of medical devices include: defibrillators, breast and other cosmetic implants, orthopedic screws, hip implants, knee implants, heart valves and many other items. If you or a loved one has been injured by a medical device or experienced adverse side effects, you may be able to recover for your injuries.
Pharmaceutical Liability Resource Links
MedlinePlus
This resource is part of the National Institutes of Health. Users can find information about drugs using either the generic or brand name. The site also contains warning and recall information.
FDA Consumer Updates
A searchable archive of information relating to health care, medications and other health-related issues.
MedWatch
MedWatch is the FDA's safety information and adverse event reporting program.
Physician's Desk Reference
An online version of the Physician's Desk Reference, the source doctors consult about brand-name medications, dosages and uses.
