Fayetteville Attorney for Injuries Caused by Drug and Pharmaceutical Interactions

In the United States, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is the governmental agency responsible for supervising, regulating, and approving the release of new prescription drugs onto the consumer market.  In addition to the vigorous quality checks conducted by the FDA, the pharmaceutical companies which produce drugs also conduct numerous studies to observe drug safety and potential side effects.

Between pharmaceutical company research and the strict regulations imposed by the FDA, most drugs allowed onto the market are safe for use as directed.  But sometimes, new drugs are rushed into production before their dangerous effects are fully understood.  When this occurs, the vulnerable consumer suffers the consequences.  These consequences may include increased risk for negative health conditions, dangerous drug interactions, physically damaging side effects, or death. Even drugs which have been sold for decades and are considered perfectly safe for use can be injurious or deadly when inappropriately dosed or prescribed.

If You’ve Been Hurt by a Pharmaceutical Drug, Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law Can Help

Have you or a loved one fallen victim to the dangerous side effects of a prescription or over-the-counter drug?  If so, you are not alone.  Drug side effects cause many injuries and deaths every year, and the incidence of fatalities resulting from pharmaceutical drugs is growing.  According to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prescription drugs are now responsible for more deaths in the United States than automobile accidents.  In 2009, traffic accidents resulted in 36,284 fatalities.  The same year, prescription drugs resulted in 37,485 deaths.

Ken Kieklak has extensive experience in matters of drug and pharmaceutical litigation. We will advocate aggressively for you and your family against the large pharmaceutical companies by:

• Explaining the drug and pharmaceutical litigation process to you.
• Collecting the appropriate paperwork from your treating physicians.
• Collecting the appropriate paperwork from your employer, describing how the drug’s side effects impacted your employment.
• Requesting information from the pharmaceutical company regarding drug testing and other data.
• Negotiating with pharmaceutical company representatives.
• Trying your case before a jury of your peers if negotiations don’t meet your satisfaction.

Unfortunately, we can’t turn back time to take away your suffering or injuries; but we can seek justice in the form of compensation.

Do I Need to be Taking a Medication for a Serious Disease Before I Can Recover for Drug Side Effects?

You don’t need to have a serious illness to suffer from the damaging side effects of prescription or over-the-counter medication.  For instance, many individuals prescribed Accutane for acne experienced serious side effects ranging from liver disease to suicide attempts.  These side effects led to numerous warnings from the United States Food and Drug Administration.  Similarly, makers of the birth control pill Yaz have altered their marketing techniques because the drug’s original advertisements were misleading in terms of possible side effects.

Some prescriptions for treating more serious diseases, such as depression and diabetes, have been forced by the FDA to place strict warning labels on their prescriptions based on potentially dangerous side effects.  In extreme situations, medications have even been recalled and removed from the market (e.g. Vioxx).

The reason for taking the drug is irrelevant.  The primary concern is that you were taking a medication as prescribed, and experienced dangerous side effects as a result.

Doesn’t the FDA Test Drugs for Dangerous Side Effects Before They Hit the Market?

Yes, the FDA does test all prescriptions and over-the-counter medications before they hit the market. However, these drugs are often poorly tested and/or misleadingly labeled, and drugs with fatal side effects can hit the market despite the Food and Drug Administration’s diligent regulatory efforts.

Prescription medications save millions of people every year, and improve the quality of life for many others.  Sometimes the life-saving nature of these drugs rushes the testing process, so harmful side effects are not realized before they are used by consumers.

If you or a loved one has been victimized by the dangerous effects of a prescription or over-the-counter pharmaceutical drug, you may be able to seek financial damages.  For a confidential case evaluation with an experienced drug and pharmaceutical litigation attorney, call Ken Kieklak at (479) 316-0438, or contact us online.