PARKER WAICHMAN LLP – DICLOFENAC HEART ATTACK & STROKE LAWSUIT LAWYERS
Diclofenac, a commonly prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has been linked to severe and potentially fatal cardiac injuries, such as heart attacks and strokes. A recent study published in BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) evaluated prescription records of nearly $7 million adults in Denmark over a twenty-year span from 1996 to 2016. Patients were placed into groups based on their risk of suffering a cardiac event (i.e., low, moderate, and high risk).
The study found that for individuals who began taking Diclofenac between 1996 and 2016, there was an increased rate of serious cardiac events within thirty days of usage versus individuals who were taking other NSAIDs (such as Ibuprofen) or Paracetamol/Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). Such an increased risk within only a thirty-day span of starting Diclofenac is concerning, especially because Diclofenac is a commonly prescribed NSAID. Additionally, starting Diclofenac was also associated with an increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, demonstrating there are additional risks of taking Diclofenac that many patients and doctors may not know about.
Understanding the Consequences of Cardiac Injuries Associated with the Use of Diclofenac
Cardiac events experienced by some patients taking Diclofenac include, among others, the following:
- Irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations/fluttering;
- Ischemic stroke;
- Heart failure;
- Heart attack; and
- Cardiac death.
Regardless of age, suffering from a cardiac event can be devastating, however, as the BMJ study demonstrates, individuals suffering from cardiac events after taking Diclofenac are fairly young, in their forties and fifties. Cardiac injuries such as ischemic stroke, heart failure, and heart attack can quickly turn fatal, especially if an individual suffering from a cardiac event does not receive prompt medical attention. While some patients can make a full recovery after suffering a cardiac event, other patients are not so lucky and may experience permanent injuries such as paralysis in the case of a stroke.
The consequences of a severe cardiac event go beyond physical and mental pain. Such injuries require medical treatment that can cost tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention the possibility of lost income. A cardiac event can turn a person’s life upside down, affecting family members, friends, and other loved ones. Having to make life adjustments can be difficult, stressful, and uncertain. Some individuals may even require an at-home nurse or may even be placed in a long-term care facility, the cost of which can be astronomical. It cannot be stressed enough how impactful cardiac injuries can be.
Holding Drug Companies Responsible for Failing to Warn of Serious and Fatal Injuries
Drug manufacturers take on a responsibility to ensure patient safety when they design, manufacture, and sell prescription drugs. Drug manufacturers must undergo studies to establish a drug is safe and effective for its intended use. Because Diclofenac is a widely used NSAID and has been on the market for a while, many people may wonder why the manufacturers of the various brands of Diclofenac did not find out much sooner that its drug is linked to serious and potentially fatal cardiac injuries. Whether these manufacturers had prior knowledge of the risks of having a cardiac event, especially within thirty days of usage, is an important question that must be answered.
When drugs cause patients to suffer injuries and death, manufacturers often have some knowledge of a dangerous risk, but fail to communicate that risk to doctors and patients. A significant number of injured patients file lawsuits against drug manufacturers alleging that the manufacturers failed to warn both doctors and patients about certain risks associated with taking a particular drug. It is not uncommon to find out through these lawsuits that numerous pharmaceutical companies do have knowledge of serious and potentially fatal risks associated with their drugs and simply fail to warn of these risks in their drugs’ product labels.
When doctors do not know about a particular risk, such as a cardiac event, associated with the use of Diclofenac, then those doctors cannot communicate such warning information to their patients. As such, drug manufacturers should be held accountable when their conduct of failing to warn doctors and patients about serious risks associated with their drugs causes patients to suffer injuries or death. If drug manufacturers reach a settlement with an injured patient or are found liable at trial, these drug manufacturers will be responsible for paying the injured victim compensation for the severity of the injuries and the subsequent negative consequences associated with the injuries, such as medical expenses and lost wages.
How a Diclofenac Lawyer May Be Able to Help You
Pursuing legal action may sound like a daunting task. After all, the process can take a very long time to complete from start to finish. However, if you are facing debilitating and permanent injuries related to a defective drug, you may have an opportunity to hold the drug manufacturer responsible for causing your pain and suffering. Even though the legal process may seem slow, the result is well worth it if an injured individual can recover compensation for his or her injuries. By seeking the guidance and advice of a lawyer who specializes in defective drug and medical device cases, you will have a much better understanding of whether you have a potential legal claim and whether you may be entitled to compensation.
Time Limitations on Diclofenac Lawsuits
Missing a deadline to file a lawsuit can be devastating, preventing an injured victim from pursuing compensation for his or her injuries. The time limitations for filing a product liability lawsuit relating to a defective drug will be different depending on the state in which a person lives or suffered his or her injuries. Every state creates its own laws regarding time limitations on lawsuits. For example, a person injured by Diclofenac in the state of Tennessee only has one year to file a lawsuit from the date of injury, while a person injured in Florida has four years to file a lawsuit from the date of injury.
While there are exceptions to the general rules, injured individuals should always act quickly when considering legal action. Once the deadline for filing a lawsuit has expired, an injured victim will likely not have another opportunity to pursue a lawsuit and receive compensation for injuries that resulted in pain and suffering, substantial medical expenses, and lost wages. The stakes are especially high when injuries are permanent, as an injured victim’s life will no longer be the same.
Contact Parker Waichman LLP Today to Schedule Your Free Diclofenac Consultation
If you have sustained a cardiac injury such as a heart attack or stroke after taking the painkiller Diclofenac, you may be entitled to compensation. However, you must first speak with a qualified lawyer who handles defective drug and medical device cases on a regular basis.
The Diclofenac Cardiac Injury Lawsuit Lawyers have the necessary resources, skill, and dedication to help their clients fight to receive compensation for their injuries and suffering. To schedule your free consultation today, contact our office by calling (800) YOUR-LAWYER (968-7529).
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