Bayer Pharmaceuticals Faces Lawsuits: Eyebrows Raised over Oral Contraceptives

Pharmaceutical companies have always been the center of personal law injury controversies and this time it is Bayer. Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals faces federal lawsuits filed in Ohio and Wisconsin for its compounds drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. The company has allegedly failed to disclose the complications arising from the use of its birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin. Four lawsuits were filed after Bayer came to an agreement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008, allowing it to run a $20 million television ad campaign underplaying the risks. The plaintiffs claim that they suffered side effects including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and stroke as a result of taking Yaz or Yasmin pills.

Failure-to-warn

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are legally responsible to disclose details of possible side effects to consumers, either directly or by passing relevant information to physicians. They are required by law to continue to take steps to determine side effects and communicate the same to consumers as long as a product is in the market. Failure-to-warn is among the several types of claims and lawsuits filed against pharmaceutical companies.

More lawsuits to be filed

Janet G. Abaray, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, said that more suits will be filed in forthcoming months. “That’s going to be important evidence – over-promotion and downplaying the risks,” she said. “We have many cases. It’s just a matter of getting all of the medical records.”

Defective product injury and help

A drug manufacturer is considered an expert in its area and is, therefore, held liable for providing information regarding known dangers and/or side effects to consumers. Someone who has been taking prescribed drugs and has suffered side effects has the right to file a lawsuit and claim compensation. In fact, you are entitled to claims even if you have not experienced side effects, but have used the drugs. Inadequate warning, or failure to warn, falls under the broad category of product liability injuries. However, these are complex claims, since most pharmaceutical companies are giants. Establishing liability requires thorough investigation and organized filing of claims. This makes it critical to consult a good personal injury lawyer to evaluate your position and file a claim against a defective product.

Anesthesia Accident Compensation

The safe and effective use of anesthesia during surgery is one of the greatest accomplishments of modern medicine. Unfortunately, this achievement carries huge risk and must be administered with great precision and care by specialists in order to avoid any untoward incidents. Even with this precaution, there is a high probability of errors in administering anesthesia.

Common Errors in Administering Anesthesia

Typically, the first erroneous step taken by anesthesiologists or any other healthcare professional performing the procedure is the failure to evaluate a patient. Other errors that are reported as factors endangering the safety of patients are:

* Administering anesthesia without verifying whether the patient is allergic to the drug.
* Administering too little or high doses of anesthesia.
* Delay in the delivery of anesthesia.
* Failure in monitoring a patient properly.
* Failure in administering oxygen during surgery.
* Delay in reacting to oxygenation problems.
* Use of defective medical devices during sedation.
* Inadequate labeling of product.
* Failure to issue proper instructions, such as abstinence from eating or drinking, prior to surgery.
* Use of anesthesia when patient is under the effect of medicines that overreact with anesthesia.

Common Anesthesia Injuries

One of the most painful and damaging anesthesia accidents is awareness and/or pain during surgery. Here, the patient may feel extreme pain, sense every intricate detail of the surgery and even suffer from asphyxia. Since the patient is paralyzed and cannot move, s/he may be unable to communicate and left with no choice but to go through this terrifying experience until the operation ends.

Other accidents related to errors in administering anesthesia are:

* Brain injury
* Birth defects
* Coma
* Stroke
* Nerve damage
* Heart attack
* Asphyxia
* Spinal cord injury
* Paralysis
* Death
* Anesthesia Accident Claims

Accidents due to an error in anesthesia administration can lead to extreme emotional and physical trauma to patients and their families. The families have to face the additional burden of the financial crunch. All of this makes you or your family members entitled to seek settlement through legal action. However, you remain eligible for the compensation only if you contact an anesthesia accident attorney or an expert lawyer shortly after the accident.

If you have suffered due to lapses in anesthesia administration, have lost a family member or have had to witness someone dear to you going through this traumatic experience, you may be entitled to the following compensations:

* Rehabilitation
* Current and future loss of wages
* Current and future medical bills
* Burial expenses
* Loss of companionship
* Long-term disability
* Loss of enjoyment of life
* Long-term care expenses

The total settlement for anesthesia accidents may exceed $250,000. However, it is recommended that you get a good lawyer because exaggeration of the sufferings could spoil your chances of receiving the much-needed compensation. Consult the best known personal injury lawyer in your state.