Understanding the Health Risks and Filing Product Liability Claims
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent recall of Umary hyaluronic acid supplements underscores serious risks hidden in seemingly harmless health products. Marketed as a dietary supplement, the recalled product contained undisclosed pharmaceutical ingredients, including diclofenac and omeprazole. These undeclared substances pose significant health risks, particularly when taken unknowingly. Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), can cause severe cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications, while omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), may mask serious underlying conditions and lead to adverse medication interactions.
Such revelations about hidden drug ingredients highlight the critical need for consumer safety in the dietary supplement industry. Consumers trust that the supplements they purchase, especially through major platforms like Amazon, are safe and accurately labeled. The recall of Umary products demonstrates a clear breach of that trust, leaving consumers exposed to potentially life-threatening risks.
This recall isn’t an isolated incident for the Umary brand. The FDA has issued multiple warnings about these products throughout 2024, identifying undeclared ingredients in several cases. Despite these warnings, affected products continued to reach consumers, amplifying the risk of harm. Those who have suffered health complications as a result of using these supplements have legal rights to pursue compensation and hold negligent parties accountable.
Health Risks and Injuries Linked to Contaminated Supplements
The hidden ingredients in the recalled Umary supplements are not merely labeling oversights—they represent significant threats to consumer health. Diclofenac, an NSAID, increases the likelihood of severe cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, it can cause gastrointestinal issues, including ulcers, bleeding, and stomach perforations. These conditions can be life-threatening, particularly for individuals already using other NSAID-containing products.
Omeprazole, a PPI, brings its own risks. While designed to treat stomach acid-related disorders, it can mask symptoms of serious underlying conditions such as stomach cancer or severe gastric erosion. For consumers unknowingly ingesting this substance, the lack of proper medical oversight heightens the chance of adverse interactions and delayed diagnoses of critical conditions.
Even for individuals who did not experience immediate health issues, the uncertainty of taking an unapproved and unlabeled drug can lead to long-term health concerns and emotional distress. Consumers who purchased these supplements placed their trust in the product’s safety, only to face the risk of severe harm due to undisclosed drug ingredients.
Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit
Consumers harmed by the recalled Umary supplements may have legal grounds to file a product liability lawsuit. These claims often focus on design defects, manufacturing errors, or inadequate labeling and warnings. In this case, the failure to disclose the presence of pharmaceutical ingredients like diclofenac and omeprazole constitutes a breach of the manufacturer’s duty to ensure product safety.
Victims seeking to file a claim should first gather evidence, including medical records that document any health issues linked to the supplement, receipts or purchase confirmations for the product, and any correspondence with the seller or manufacturer. An experienced product liability attorney can evaluate the claim and determine the best legal strategy for pursuing compensation.
Product liability cases often involve complex investigations into how the product was manufactured and marketed. Attorneys play a crucial role in identifying responsible parties, which may include the manufacturer, distributors, or even platforms like Amazon that facilitated sales. A strong case will require demonstrating that the undisclosed ingredients directly caused harm to the consumer.
Why Legal Representation is Essential
Navigating a product liability lawsuit requires legal expertise to ensure the victim’s rights are fully protected. An attorney can handle the intricate legal and technical aspects of the case, from filing initial claims to presenting evidence in court. Given the complexity of cases involving pharmaceutical contamination, professional legal guidance is invaluable in holding negligent companies accountable.
Experienced attorneys can also negotiate with manufacturers and insurers to secure fair settlements. If a settlement cannot be reached, they can represent the victim’s interests in court. Without legal representation, victims risk being outmaneuvered by large corporations with significant legal resources. Attorneys ensure that victims receive the compensation they need for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Compensation Available in Product Liability Claims
Victims of the contaminated Umary supplements may be eligible for compensation to address the financial, physical, and emotional impact of their injuries. Recoverable damages often include:
- Medical Expenses: Reimbursement for hospital visits, diagnostic tests, medications, and ongoing treatments.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed from work during recovery or due to long-term disability.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the injuries.
- Punitive Damages: Additional compensation in cases of egregious negligence by the manufacturer, intended to deter similar conduct in the future.
Holding manufacturers accountable not only provides relief to victims but also pressures companies to prioritize consumer safety, potentially preventing future harm.
