Singulair: Who Can Sue?
Clearly, it might be years before the true extent of Singulair’s side effects is known. Meanwhile, health care providers continue to prescribe Singulair for severe asthma and allergy symptoms.
If you or your child are currently experiencing Singulair side effects you should immediately consult with your prescribing physician. You (or your physician) can also report your experience to MedWatch, the FDA’s Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. The MedWatch site includes instructions for filing a report online, via a downloadable postage-paid envelope, or via phone or fax.
If you have lost a loved one to what you believe was a Singulair-related suicide, or if you or your child have suffered from other possible side effects linked to Singulair such as suicidal thoughts, there is some remedy.
You and your family could be eligible to seek compensation for damages and your past and future medical expenses through a Singulair lawsuit.
Because the statute of limitations and other factors may play a role in your right to sue, don’t jeopardize your legal options by waiting too long to decide to take action.
Consult an experienced pharmaceutical attorney specializing in singulair as soon as possible in order to determine if you are entitled to compensation.
Sorting out the details of a claim can be complex. Because of the various claims requirements, only an experienced pharmaceutical lawyer will ensure that your rights are fully protected.
Decisions about pursuing action need to be made early on. This is the chief reason why it is crucial to retain competent legal counsel as soon as possible. Complete our short questionnaire to get started!
Examples of Negligence
Prior to the FDA’s decision to review Singulair’s health effects, 3 instances of suicide/attempted suicide were reported. Since the 2008 consumer alert regarding the investigation, more anecdotal evidence has been gathered, but no conclusive medical reports or legal claims have been made public yet.
Potential Recovery
No Singulair lawsuits have been filed as of January 2009, but it is likely that there will be lawsuits in the future.
However, Merck’s position that Singulair is safe until proven otherwise is reminiscent of the company’s initial reaction to reports linking Vioxx to heart attacks and strokes.
Vioxx, an arthritis pain medication, was hailed as a miracle drug when launched by Merck in 1999, but it was also almost immediately linked to heart problems.
Merck disputed these claims, but by 2004 the company faced not only Congressional and Justice Department investigations, but also potentially thousands of product liability lawsuits. That year Merck voluntarily withdrew Vioxx from the market and began the process of settling the victims’ claims.
In 2008, Merck announced that it had begun payments to resolve state and federal claims in the United States. An estimated 50,000 individuals who suffered Vioxx-related heart attacks or strokes will be paid out of a fund of $4.85 billion. The first payment of $500 million was scheduled for August 2008. Additional payments will be made on a periodic basis.
That drug recall may have implications for how Merck will handle Singulair challenges. Call a personal injury lawyer or pharmaceutical lawyer if you need legal counsel concerning Singulair use.
By completing our short questionnaire, whocanisue.com can help you locate a pharmaceutical attorney who has experience with cases involving drug liability. Get started now!