Whether you’ve been injured by a drug that has been connected to cancer, or you were injured during a medical procedure, you might be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries.
Dangerous drugs and medical malpractice lawsuits occur frequently
More than ten thousand cases of medical malpractice were reported to the NPDB between 2009-2018. That’s no small number. Unfortunately, many doctors and surgeons make mistakes that lead to serious injury and/or life-threatening consequences for their patients.
Likewise, there are currently thousands of lawsuits being filed against drug manufacturers for knowingly selling drugs containing ingredients linked to cancer.
Filing a lawsuit is the only way to recover financial compensation
If you’ve suffered a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence, you have a legal right to hold them accountable in a court of law and collect financial compensation. For example, thousands of people file medical malpractice lawsuits knowing they shouldn’t have to foot the bill for their doctor’s mistakes.
Injured patients who don’t file lawsuits are left with stacks of medical bills they can’t afford to pay and mounting bills at home.
If you’ve experienced the following types of injuries, you have a good reason to file a lawsuit:
1. A perforated bowel
A surgeon performing surgery on a patient’s GI tract needs to exercise a high degree of care. Most surgeons will take their time, but unfortunately, some surgeons rush their procedures or take shortcuts. The result can cause a perforation in the patient’s bowel, which can lead to life-threatening complications.
A perforated bowel is a potentially fatal medical condition that requires immediate treatment. A perforation in the GI tract can cause stomach, intestine, and bowel contents to seep into the abdominal cavity with bacteria in tow. The presence of bacteria can cause a life-threatening condition called peritonitis.
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might have a perforated bowl.
- Tiredness/fatigue
- Chills and/or fever
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- A rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Pain
- A reduced need to use the restroom
If you suspect you have a perforated bowel, go to the emergency room and get checked out immediately. Once you receive a diagnosis, contact a lawyer who specializes in perforated bowel cases and find out if you have a case.
2. A cancer diagnosis after using Zantac or ranitidine
When the heartburn medication Zantac was put on the market in the early 1980s, everyone thought it was safe. Today, thousands of people are filing lawsuits against the makers of Zantac due to a connection to cancer.
When ingested, ranitidine breaks down into a known carcinogen called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in quantities that far exceed the FDA’s “safe” limits.
In 2018, the online pharmacy Valisure discovered extremely high unsafe levels of NDMA in Zantac. Valisure filed a citizen petition to the FDA asking the agency to suspend and recall all ranitidine products including Zantac. The FDA ignored the petition. However, the FDA performed their own tests and found unsafe levels of NDMA in various forms of Zantac.
While the FDA has not officially recalled Zantac or generic ranitidine products, the manufacturers have issued a voluntary recall and stores like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have removed the products from their shelves.
Zantac is linked to the following cancers:
- Bladder cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Colorectal and intestinal cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Kidney and liver cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- And several more
If you’ve taken Zantac or ranitidine and have been diagnosed with cancer, you might have a case. Consult with an attorney to find out if you qualify.
3. Misdiagnosis
A misdiagnosis may not seem sinister, but a misdiagnosis can prolong proper treatment and cause catastrophic injuries. Misdiagnoses are the number one source of medical malpractice lawsuits and are unfortunately a leading cause of death among patients. According to study data obtained by AARP, 20% of people were misdiagnosed and 66% required changes to their initial diagnosis. The study involved looking at 286 patients ages 15-80 who came to the Mayo clinic for a second opinion.
Since serious illnesses can present the same symptoms as common, non-life-threatening conditions, medical providers need to spend more time with their patients to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Don’t be afraid to pursue compensation for your injuries
If you have a valid claim, you need to make decisions that support your health and wellbeing. Contact an attorney to discuss your situation. Your injuries aren’t your fault and you deserve to be compensated.
