If you've been affected by Accutane side effects, at Michigan Injury Lawyers, our defective drug and Accutane lawyers can help you to take action and obtain the compensation you deserve. We know how devastating it is when a medication that is supposed to help you instead causes you serious harm. Call today at (888) 454-0801 to schedule a free consultation and get important questions answered, including:
- What are some of the Accutane side effects that can lead to Accutane lawsuits?
- Do I have a claim for my Accutane complications?
- How can I take legal action based on damage caused by Accutane?
Since 1982, Accutane has been prescribed for the treatment of acne. Unfortunately, many of the patients who use this medication were unaware of the tremendous risk that they were taking when they used this brand-name version of isotretinoin. As the risks have become clear over the years, patients have begun to take legal action against the drug manufacturer to recover compensation for side effects they weren't warned about and did not expect.
What Are Some Accutane Side Effects That Can Lead to Accutane Lawsuits?
Many different side effects have been linked to use of the drug Accutane. For example:
- By December 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had already received more than 66 complaints of suicides linked to the use of Accutane. The number of suicides is now estimated to exceed 100, with many more individuals experiencing psychiatric issues. In August 2005, the FDA required the revision of the Accutane warning label alerting users of symptoms of depression and suicidal tendencies.
- Accutane has been linked to liver and intestinal damage.
- Patients have developed inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease due to the use of Accutane.
- Brain problems causing stroke or vision loss have been linked to Accutane.
- Miscarriages and birth defects are also linked to the use of the drug, with the FDA recording at least 160 cases of babies born with serious health problems from exposure to Accutane during fetal development. The FDA took strong action in August 2005 to make sure that pregnant women were not using the drug, requiring patients to undergo pregnancy tests before being prescribed the drug and while taking Accutane. Women on the drug must also use at least two forms of birth control.
If you or a loved one has experienced these or other complications, you should speak with a defective drug lawyer right away to learn whether you have a claim against Hoffman-La Roche Inc., Accutane's manufacturer.
Do I Have a Claim for my Accutane Complications?
You can make a successful claim for Accutane complications if you can demonstrate that you are experiencing medical problems directly linked to your use of the acne drug.
You will need experienced medical experts to testify on your behalf, and Michigan Injury Lawyers can help you to find the right experts to make your case. FDA warnings and information from studies, including 2006 research linking Accutane to depression in lab animals, can also be used to bolster your case that the drug is the cause of the damage you are experiencing.
How Can I Take Legal Action Based on Accutane Damage?
Plaintiffs who are harmed by Accutane can file a lawsuit in civil court against the drug manufacturer to obtain compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death
In many cases, defective drug claims are consolidated into multidistrict litigations or plaintiffs become part of class actions since many people suffered a similar harm as a result of drug defects. You should have an attorney explain the different options to you so you will know how best to proceed with making your case.
At Michigan Injury Lawyers, our caring and experienced defective drug lawyers are here to help. Contact us today at (888) 454-0801 to get your case started.