Drugs typically have side effects that can create an adverse experience when you take them. However, these side effects are known, and your physician can inform you of how they might present after you take a dose. Generally, side effects are accepted as part of consuming medication and don't necessarily make a drug defective. However, there is always a risk that the side effects cause severe injury, and you may be able to seek damages because the severity of the side effects was unexpected.
A drug is considered defective when it severely injures or even kills the individual for whom it was prescribed. In addition, the medication has a defect or side effect that was not disclosed and was distributed to the public via OTC or prescription before the FDA banned the medication.
The Drugs You Take to Improve Your Health Can Also Harm You
Just about every American takes over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medication at some point in their life. However, many people, especially older adults, must take at least one medication to help them maintain their quality of life.
That means that millions expect their medication to be safe to take, will not cause harm, and works as intended. But unfortunately, drug manufacturers do not always disclose all the issues discovered during the extensive development process.
Drug Injuries Happen Even Though They’ve Been Approved for Use by the FDA
Prescription and OTC medications undergo extensive studies and trials to ensure they are safe. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the job of ensuring that drug manufacturers adhere to strict standards of testing and manufacturing before approving the medication for release.
It sometimes happens that a drug has cleared all trials and the side effects are known, but it still causes injury due to an unforeseen action or reaction. Other times, it is the result of a drug manufacturer putting profits over safety and holding back information about adverse reactions during testing phases.
These reasons and others related to them are why our Portland drug injury attorneys work to help you get justice after a drug has harmed you or a loved one. You put your faith in the pharmaceutical company to create and sell safe medication with tolerable side effects.
That faith is betrayed when a drug is defective and causes unexpected harm. Contact us at Strong Law at 206-737-3496 to schedule a consultation with one of our drug injury lawyers. We can help you protect your rights and recover damages to help you move forward with your life.
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Why Choose US
Our Portland Drug Injury Attorneys Fight Hard to Get You Compensation for Your Drug Injury
Our team of personal injury attorneys at Strong Law works hard on behalf of our clients to get the best results we can. We listen closely to the facts of your case, the events that led to the injury, and the suffering you have experienced as a result.
In turn, you get quality legal representation that fights to protect your rights, stands up to drug manufacturers that use various tactics to minimize their liability, and pushes hard to bring you just compensation for your injuries.
Our Track Record Speaks for Itself
We’re a successful personal injury law firm that has a proven track record of winning almost every case that comes through our doors.
Our lawyers have experience and knowledge of how pharmaceutical companies try to deny responsibility for their defective products.
We use that knowledge on behalf of our clients who have suffered serious harm after taking a drug they thought was safe to use.
What Our Clients Have to Say About Our Services
After an accident, people start talking to their insurance company or looking for other ways to get a resolution to their drug injury.
The corporations know that you are not going to be able to force them to talk to them, much less get a reasonable resolution from them, as you do not know how negotiations and the laws work.
That is not your fault so much as it is the strongarm tactics by companies who do not want to take responsibility for their actions, much less admit that their drug is defective and harmful.
At Strong Law, we have many satisfied clients who found out just how effective we can be when it comes to getting a resolution in their favor.
Call us at 206-737-3496 today and set up a consultation to learn more about how we get results for our clients.
Meet Attorney Jed Strong
Jed Strong, the founder of Strong Law, fully understands the impact a defective drug injury has on individuals and their families. He does everything he can to make sure every client gets the compensation they need to recover and move forward with their lives after a drug injury.
Prior to starting the Strong Law Firm, Jed worked at Geico as an in-house attorney. During his time there, he saw how the insurance company worked hard to prevent injured people from receiving just compensation.
His experience led him to leave his employment and go to work as an advocate for people who need help getting compensation for their injuries.
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“Very professional, and treated me as an equal.”
Just wanted to say thank you to Jed and his team at Strong Law. Not only was I happy with the outcome, but the entire process as a whole. I would definitely recommend this firm to anyone. Thanks again.
“Unbelievable work!”
I had a claim involving my own insurance company. I tried to negotiate with them, and they completely denied my claim – two times. I then hired Strong Law, and the change was instant. The insurance company immediately began negotiating, and Jed was able to secure an unbelievably good settlement. I will never again attempt to take-on an insurance company without Strong Law in my corner. Thank you!”
“I got justice and awesome compensation.”
“I hired Strong Law after my car accident. Jed and his team worked hard on my case. They were professional and compassionate through my surgery and as I recovered, and they were awesome on communication. I got justice and awesome compensation. I would recommend Strong Law to anyone in my situation.”
Who Gets Sued in a Defective Drug Lawsuit?
The Oregon Revised Statutes has a section known as ORS 30.900, “Product liability civil action” defined. This section allows an individual to sue a product manufacturer, distributor, seller, or lessor for injuries they received after using the product.
The section further goes on to state the circumstances that are considered negligent. In sum, if a drug has injured you or you have lost a loved one to an adverse drug reaction, you can sue the drug maker for damages under this law.
How the Statute of Limitations Affects Filing a Defective Drug Case
The statute of limitations puts a time limit on filing a case for a defective drug injury. For most drug injury cases, you have two years from the day you discovered the injury and a maximum of 10 years after the date the medication was first bought.
If someone dies due to a defective drug, you have up to three years to file a lawsuit after their passing and the same 10-year time limit from the day the medication was bought.
You must bring a lawsuit against the drug maker within the timeframes laid out in the statute to be able to file. All claims are barred once the clock has run out on the statutes.
That is why it is essential to contact us at Strong Law once you have discovered you have suffered an injury from a defective drug or lost a loved one. Pursuing a lawsuit against a defective drug maker takes time due to the need to investigate the situation, determine liability, and start the compensation process.
How the FDA Clears a Defective Drug for Sale
You may be wondering how a defective drug reaches the market, especially in light of the fact that the FDA has a strict approval process for new medications. The FDA does not engage in the testing of drugs to make sure that they are as safe as the drug maker claims.
Instead, the drug maker has to put the medication through safety trials according to FDA standards and submit their findings to the FDA once the processes are completed.
The FDA reviews the data submitted by the drug maker, then approves it provided the data is consistent and meets standards.
Drug Manufacturers Don’t Always Make Ethical Decisions
Millions of dollars go into the creation of a drug to treat a specific condition. Drug makers are under pressure to turn a profit on their latest medication in order to recover the costs of research.
They are also aware of the fact that the FDA does not test the drugs that go to market and takes the word of the drug manufacturer about the drug’s safety at face value. This makes it easy for a drug maker to hold back or hide information about a defective medication and allow it to get on the market.
The drug maker consciously made this decision in the hopes of making enough money to repay the research and generate a profit before the medication is pulled from the market. It is an unscrupulous and callous decision that results in the injury and death of people who thought they were taking safe medication.
Meanwhile, the company continues to operate as penalties rarely force the drug maker out of business. These scenarios are rare, but not unknown, and not every drug gets pulled from the market for being defective.
Some defective drugs stay on the market due to the fact that their benefits outweigh the injuries they can cause. The fact that a drug remains for sale does not mean you cannot file a lawsuit, however, and you have the right to sue for compensation for the injuries you sustained from its use.
How we can Help
Strong Law Fights Hard on Behalf of Our Clients
At Strong Law, our team of Portland drug injury attorneys dedicates themselves to the pursuit of justice for our clients. When you retain us to pursue a claim on your behalf, you get the best legal representation we can provide.
That includes engaging with forensic scientists to determine how the medication caused your injuries and mapping a clear path that links the drug to your injury. We also collect any and all relevant evidence and use it in support of proving that your drug injury is the direct result of a defective drug.
We take pride in giving our clients a voice against a faceless drug company that seeks to deny responsibility for the harm it causes. We make it a point to communicate clearly and effectively with our clients.
Our team of lawyers provides personalized contact and makes it a point to keep you up to date as well as discuss your concerns with you about your case. We serve clients who live in the following areas:
- Portland, OR
- Midvale, UT
- Eugene, OR
- Everett, WA
- Tacoma, WA.
Our services stretch across three states, but we provide localized legal services for our clients to deliver the best possible representation.
Call us today at 206-737-3496 for a free consultation and to learn more about what we can do for you or on behalf of your loved one who succumbed to drug injuries.
FAQs About Drug Injuries
What is a Drug or Pharmaceutical Injury?
A drug injury is typically an unpublished side effect or an unexpected reaction that results in serious injury or death to the person who took the medication.
The drug injury is the result of taking a drug that was known to be defective when it was released for sale.
What’s My Best Course of Action If I Have Been Injured by My Medication?
The first thing you need to do after a drug injury is to seek medical help, then call the Strong Law Firm for legal representation to recover damages for your injuries.
Retaining us as soon as you can after the injury means we can preserve more evidence and provide you with robust representation.
How Can I Tell if the Side Effects of the Drug I am Taking Are Normal?
Every medication that is sold comes with an information sheet that discusses the side effects of the medication you are taking.
You can also look up the medication on Drugs.com and go through the list of common and rare side effects to find out if what you’re experiencing matches up.
Who’s Liable for My Drug Injuries?
Depending on several factors, a party can be held liable for a drug injury. A prescribing doctor who has informed you of the side effects may not be liable, but the manufacturer can be held liable in the event the drug is defective.
What if other People Have Suffered the Same Drug Injuries I Have Had?
It sometimes happens that a drug reaches the market and gets heavily prescribed to a large group of people before a defect is uncovered.
Your case may become part of a class-action lawsuit, which is a lawsuit that groups plaintiffs with the same drug injury and who are seeking damages.
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How Strong Law will handle you case
Gather evidence, interview witnesses, and assess the circumstances surrounding the accident to establish facts and liability.
Determine the extent of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Engage in discussions with the opposing party or insurance companies to reach a fair settlement outside of court.
If negotiations fail, proceed to court where legal arguments and evidence are presented before a judge or jury for a final decision.
Insider experience
We know how to fight big insurance companies
Prior to representing accident victims, Jed worked for GEICO insurance company as one of its in-house attorneys – representing the insurance companies. After learning the inner workings of insurance companies, he quit and began representing accident victims.
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We want to help you get the legal advice you need with no upfront fees. There is no obligation to use our law firm and we only get paid if you win your case.
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Our team of legal experts pride themselves on going above and beyond for our clients. We provide you answers and solutions to the legal issues you may experience from your accident.
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Frequently asked questions
Have other questions? Get in touch with our team at info@stronglawattorneys.com
What Is the Value of My Case?
The value of an injury case depends upon many factors related to the extent of your injuries and any other losses associated with your claim. You may have medical bills, lost income, costs associated with pain and suffering, among other possible damages. To learn the possible value of your case, contact the team at Strong Law. In a free case evaluation, we’ll let you know how much your case may be worth.
What Are Your Hours?
Strong Law is open five days a week between 9am and 5pm. In addition, we offer after hours return calls, weekend calls, and online chat.
What Kinds Of Cases Are Personal Injury?
Call us to know for sure, but a good rule of thumb is when an “accident” that happened to you because of the acts of or misdeeds of another party. Examples are: Auto accidents; motorcycle accidents; semi-truck accidents; wrongful death; medical malpractice; slip, trip and fall; boating accidents, faulty equipment, nursing home abuse; and many others.
Will I Be Charged To Consult Or Talk With You?
No, not ever. Strong Law is a contingency personal injury firm offering specialized experience along with access when you need it. Our goal is to gain the best settlement and provide comfort in the process, so easy access to us is part of our best practices.
What Does Contingency Mean?
Contingency in a legal matter means an expense to the client based on the outcome of a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty. Said another way, Strong Law gets paid only if your case settles.
Can You Give Me An Assessment Of My Case?
Absolutely. While we cannot guarantee anything, nor do we imply a settlement, our willingness to take your case (and do it on contingency) is our voice that we feel your case has strong merit. After speaking with you, we can provide a merit assessment over the phone. However, we caution that accepting your case does not promise anything, your outcome is reflected in the law firm you choose.
What Should I Do If I’m Having Problems, Like Their Insurance Company Is Calling Me?
Always secure an attorney first. If you sign up with Strong Law now, you can advise their insurance company that you have representation and give them our name and contact information. From that time forward, they should not be contacting you again; it’s the law. If you do not sign with an attorney, like Strong Law, you will need to speak with them and represent yourself to resolve your injury. We strongly urge against this; insurance companies are skilled at ensuring their best interests over yours.
What Are Common Reasons For Insurance Injury Denials?
Make sure you receive medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident, otherwise insurance may argue your pain is from an unrelated incident.Insurance companies will be going out of their way to find some proof that the accident was your fault. Don’t be intimidated.If you have preexisting medical conditions that make you more likely to suffer an injury, it is not uncommon for insurance agencies to deny claims based on this.
How Long Does A Case Take To Settle?
It depends on many factors like medical care, future needs, evidence, proof of liability, and many others. Some cases take months while others can last a couple years. Ultimately, our goal is to represent you and what is going to be best for you in the long run.
Why Can Cases Last Years?
Because the law dictates it. There are many layers to make sure the insurance companies treat you with optimal care. For example, there will be time spent for medical treatments you might need. There is time to gather the needed medical reports and discover any long term impacts this injury will have on your life today and into the future. There is time for the other side to review our demands, research, and respond as well. It can feel like a long time, but we follow the law and strategize for the best benefit to you. We are with you the whole time.
