Cleveland Dangerous Drug Lawyers

We live in an age of medical innovation. Many diseases and illnesses that would have been deadly 100 years ago are easily treatable with medication today. While medicine can be life-saving, there are cases in which medications are truly unsafe and potentially deadly.

At Elk & Elk, we represent people who have been injured or harmed due to dangerous drugs in the Cleveland metro area and across Ohio. We also represent the families of those who have died after taking dangerous medication. Free consultation: To talk to one of our Cleveland attorneys about your legal options after taking a dangerous prescription drug, please call (216) 313-9774.

What makes a drug dangerous?

Unfortunately, when it comes to prescription drugs, a lot can go wrong. For example, a prescription drug may become contaminated or tainted during the manufacturing process. A drug may also be dangerous because of its formulation. It may be inherently dangerous for everyone or only for people with certain medical conditions. Finally, a drug may be dangerous because the packaging does not warn consumers of potential side effects.

When someone is harmed due to one of these drug errors, it is advisable to speak to a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. These are extremely complicated cases that require understanding in both legal and health matters.

Examples of dangerous drugs

Medications are supposed to help us, not harm us. Unfortunately, many medications and medical devices are dangerous. With some drugs, the risk comes from long-term use. Other times, a drug can cause immediate damage.

Research shows that some cholesterol-lowering drugs may actually cause diabetes.  And many prescription drugs are as dangerous as illegal drugs. Opioid painkillers such as Percocet and oxycodone are extremely addicting and can be deadly.

Here are examples of the dangerous drug cases we handle:

  • Essure birth control implants: Many women seeking a permanent birth control option had an Essure birth control device implanted. Unfortunately, these devices can cause a variety of complications, including uterus or fallopian tube perforation, lower abdominal pain, unintended pregnancy, and death.
  • Proton pump inhibitors: Proton pump inhibitors are used to treat heartburn. Popular brands include Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium. Unfortunately, these drugs have been linked to a variety of health problems, including kidney disease, bone fractures, dementia, and gastrointestinal problems.
  • Talcum powder: Long-term use of talcum powder on the genitals has been linked to ovarian cancer in females. The talc fibers can enter the body and cause inflammation and affect the immune system.
  • Transvaginal surgical mesh: Surgical mesh is used in many surgeries to support organs and tissues. It may be temporary or permanent. Some of the many potential complications of transvaginal surgical mesh include infection, urinary problems, bowel perforation, bladder perforation and vaginal scarring/shrinkage.

Find out more about the drug and medical device claims we handle.

If you have been harmed by a dangerous drug or medical device, it is advisable to talk to a medical malpractice attorney about your legal options. Our Cleveland attorneys can review your case and help you determine your next steps.

The drug manufacturer may be responsible – or we may find that the prescribing doctor made an error. We are adept at investigating these cases, as we work to identify what went wrong and who is responsible.

Remember: Just because a doctor prescribes a medication doesn’t mean it’s safe. The drug could be contaminated. It could react dangerously with another drug. Or the package could be improperly or erroneously labeled. Additionally, an error may be made in the administration of medication: A doctor may prescribe the wrong amount of the drug. A pharmacist may fill the wrong medication. Or a medical provider may give a patient the wrong medication.

Dangerous medical devices

It’s not only pharmaceutical drugs that are dangerous – medical devices can be, too. Hip and knee replacements can fail. Defibrillators (pacemakers) can fail. Many medical devices are life-changing or life-saving. But these devices can fail, and when they do, the results can be tragic.

Don’t wait for a drug recall

If you believe a dangerous drug has harmed you, but the drug is not recalled, it is advisable to speak to a lawyer. A drug recall may be issued later, but it is important to get legal help now. The FDA maintains a list of drug recalls that consumers can use to identify potentially dangerous drugs.

Meet our highly experienced medical malpractice lawyers

At Elk & Elk, our Cleveland personal injury attorneys are known throughout Ohio for providing strong representation to individuals who have been injured due to medical malpractice.

Managing Partner Jay Kelley obtained a $10 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered paralysis due to a surgeon’s error during scoliosis surgery. A team of our attorneys obtained $9.75 million on behalf of a client whose surgeons misplaced a catheter during brain and spine surgery.

These are just two examples of the results we have achieved on behalf of clients suffering due to a medical mistake.

View our dangerous drug case results: We have represented many people injured by defective, contaminated and otherwise dangerous drugs, as well as family members of patients who were killed by them. 

Questions? Contact us for a free consultation

Consumers should be able to trust that their prescribed medications are safe to take. But dangerous drugs exist, they harm, and they kill.

If you or a loved one was harmed by a dangerous drug, a pharmaceutical mistake or a doctor’s mistake, reach out to an attorney from Elk & Elk in Cleveland. Simply call (216) 313-9774 or complete our online contact form.