Columbus Dangerous Drugs Lawyer
Millions of lives depend on the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies and distributors have a responsibility to adhere to the regulations and laws that are meant to protect citizens from harm.
If you suffered from a dangerous drug injury or illness in Columbus, you might be trying to plan your next steps for recovery. Dangerous drug cases can be complicated and pursuing them without a seasoned personal injury attorney could prove challenging. A Columbus dangerous drugs lawyer could provide you with advice and counsel and help you fight for your right to recovery.
Federal Laws and Regulations
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, codified under Title 21 of the United States Code, is one of the main bodies of law used to maintain the quality and control of pharmaceutical drugs. More recently, the Drug Quality and Security Act was passed in 2013. The Drug Quality and Security Act amended the FDCA and addressed the practice of drug compounding. The Act also implemented a national prescription drug track and trace system and established outsourcing facilities where pharmacies could become subject to oversight by the FDA.
The FDA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is at the forefront of regulating and enforcing the production, sale, and distribution of prescription drugs. Working alongside the Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as state organizations, the FDA implements and monitors the pharmaceutical drug industry to help ensure that dangerous drugs in Columbus, and in every state, comply with laws and safety standards.
Drug Approval Process
Before drugs receive approval for human consumption, they must go through an approval process conducted by the FDA. The approval process includes:
- Proper labeling checks
- Determining whether the drug is safe and effectively treats or prevents the illness prescribed for
- Phase one of clinical trials – tests are conducted on healthy volunteers
- Phase two of clinical trials – tests are conducted on several hundred patients
- Phase three of clinical trials – tests are conducted on up to several thousand patients
Filing a Claim for Dangerous Drug-Related Injuries in Columbus
When a pharmaceutical company manufactures a dangerous drug that harms a user, a jury may find the manufacturer to be negligent. Pharmaceutical companies owe their consumers a duty to prevent them from unreasonable risk of harm. If a company or seller unreasonably exposed their consumers to harm, such as a known side effect that was not made aware to the user, they could be held liable under negligence. In order to bring a negligence case, a lawyer in Columbus would have to prove that the drug manufacturer, distributor, or seller owed a duty of care which was breached, resulting in their injuries.
50 Percent Bar Rule
Georgia follows the 50 percent bar rule under comparative fault. Comparative fault is used by courts to determine whether and how much a plaintiff would be entitled to if they were also at fault for causing their injuries. Under the 50 percent bar rule, if a plaintiff is found 50 percent or more at fault, they are barred from recovery. If they are found less than 50 percent at fault, they may recover; however, their percentage of fault would reduce their overall recovery.
Contact a Columbus Dangerous Drugs Attorney Today
Seeking legal recovery against a major drug company might not seem feasible or possible, but a Columbus dangerous drugs lawyer could help take on the load. They could review the facts of your situation and help you decide how to move forward with your claim. Call now to get started on your case.