You May Be Entitled to Compensation for Amputations Related to Type 2 Diabetes and Diuretics At Parker Waichman LLP, our Defective Drug Lawyers are evaluating potential lawsuits related to the use of diuretics in patients with Type 2 diabetes. A recent study demonstrates that some Type 2 diabetes patients taking diuretics may be at an […]
At Parker Waichman LLP, our Defective Drug Lawyers are evaluating potential lawsuits related to the use of diuretics in patients with Type 2 diabetes. A recent study demonstrates that some Type 2 diabetes patients taking diuretics may be at an increased risk of suffering from amputation. If you have had a limb amputated and you were taking diuretics for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes before or at the time of amputation, act quickly to speak with a lawyer. You may be eligible for compensation.
Diuretics, also known as “water pills,” are not specifically intended to treat Type 2 diabetes. However, many patients with Type 2 diabetes may take diuretics to treat other health conditions or may be taking diuretics to help control blood sugar. Traditionally, diuretics are used to treat health conditions that include, but may not be limited to, the following:
Diuretics function by eliminating excess water and salt in the body that can make certain health conditions worse. For example, if a patient suffers from kidney disease, diuretics can help the kidneys filtrate and release more sodium and water. In doing so, the prevalence of water and sodium in the body can alleviate the stress on blood vessels, and this can also help to control blood sugar in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Many medications on the market today are approved for one particular use, but often are later used to treat additional “off label” conditions. Diuretics were not approved specifically to treat Type 2 diabetes, but because some doctors have found diuretics to be helpful in controlling blood sugar, many Type 2 patients are prescribed diuretics as part of their Type 2 diabetes treatment plan.
An alarming study released last month demonstrates that Type 2 diabetes patients taking diuretics are seventy-five percent (75%) more likely to suffer amputation or require an angioplasty or bypass procedure. Such findings may come as a surprise to many patients and doctors, especially because diuretics are thought to be relatively harmless. The French study specifically found the following:
Most Type 2 diabetes patients take medications specifically designed to control blood sugar, such as Invokana, Jardiance, and Farxiga. As such, it is unlikely that such patients take diuretics as the only means of controlling blood sugar. Because many other diabetes medications are linked to amputation, patients taking diuretics in addition to another Type 2 diabetes medication may be at an even greater risk of suffering amputation or requiring the need for another type of lower leg procedure.
Once a limb is amputated, there is no going back. Suffering from an amputation is a life-altering event that requires extreme adjustment. For example, the inability to function on two feet means a person can no longer enjoy a leisurely walk in the park or perhaps a bike ride. While there are prostheses that can help amputation patients function, a prosthetic foot or leg is simply not the same. Additionally, because many Type 2 diabetes patients are over the age of fifty, a prosthetic foot or leg may be insufficient to help a patient live a vibrant and active life.
It is unfortunate that so many drugs are linked to serious and permanent injuries, and while some of these drugs may be necessary, drug manufacturers and doctors should know about the risk of such injuries before prescribing drugs to their patients. With regard to diuretics, if the manufacturers of these drugs are aware that many Type 2 diabetes patients are taking their drugs, they should take the necessary steps to research and test the safety of diuretics in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Many diabetes patients may already be at risk for suffering an amputation. Therefore, drug manufacturers should foresee that drugs used to treat patients with Type 2 diabetes need to be thoroughly vetted and tested for that specific use.
Simply because diuretics were not originally intended to treat patients with Type 2 diabetes does not mean the manufacturers of these diuretics have zero responsibility to ensure their drugs are being used safely. As such, when drug manufacturers know about a risk associated with their drugs and fail to warn doctors and patients about those risks, they may be held accountable in a court of law. Doctors also have a responsibility to ensure they are prescribing safe drugs to their patients. However, if they do not receive necessary warnings from the drug manufacturers, they cannot communicate such warnings to their patients, placing both themselves and their patients in a very tough spot.
Do I Have a Potential Amputation Lawsuit?
You might have a potential amputation lawsuit if you required a procedure to amputate a leg or foot after taking diuretics as part of your Type 2 diabetes treatment plan. By speaking with a Defective Drug Lawyer, you will discuss all medications you were taking before and at the time of amputation, when you began taking these medications, when you suffered the amputation, and where you suffered the amputation. After reviewing relevant medical records, your attorney will determine whether you have a viable claim for injuries resulting from your use of diuretics or another Type 2 diabetes drug.
What if I Cannot Afford to Pay Legal Fees During the Course of My Lawsuit?
If you decide to pursue a lawsuit with the help of a Defective Drug Lawyer, you will not pay any legal fees throughout your lawsuit. The only way you will be responsible for legal fees is if you obtain compensation through a settlement or favorable verdict at trial. Once you receive your compensation, attorneys’ fees and expenses will be deducted from your compensation. You will never have to pay your lawyer for legal fees or expenses directly. The entire process is contingent upon the success of your lawsuit.
What Kind of Lawyer Should I Hire to Represent Me in My Amputation Lawsuit?
It is extremely important that you consider contacting a Defective Drug Lawyer who specializes in product liability lawsuits involving drugs and medical devices that have been linked to serious injuries and deaths. Defective drug lawsuits involve complicated science, and it takes many years to master this area of law. Therefore, when choosing a lawyer, look not only at a law firm’s reputation for success and whether the firm has a good relationship with each client, but also look at the type of cases that law firm handles on a regular basis.
How Much Money Will I Receive if I Win My Lawsuit or Receive a Settlement?
Lawsuits involving serious and potentially fatal injuries can be unpredictable. While a significant number of injured clients do receive compensation, there is always a risk that a case will be unsuccessful, especially if that case goes to trial and a jury does not agree that a person’s injuries are linked to a defective drug. However, the most qualified and reputable defective drug law firms have a history of helping a vast majority of their clients obtain compensation for their pain and suffering.
While trial verdicts can result in tens of millions of dollars, many verdicts are overturned or reduced. As such, many defective drug lawsuits often settle before a jury hears a case. Settlement values can range significantly based on the law firm you work with and based on how severe your injuries are. Overall, a truly dedicated and skilled Defective Drug Lawyer will take the necessary time to build a strong case and fight to recover the maximum amount of compensation possible for every injured client.
What is a Statute of Limitation?
A statute of limitation is a deadline that tells individuals how long they have to pursue legal action. Every state creates its own laws limiting the time individuals have to file a claim. Some states may allow a person to file a lawsuit within three or four years after suffering an injury related to a defective drug. However, there are states (such as Tennessee) that only allow a person one year to file a lawsuit.
Some state laws have what is called a “discovery rule” that starts the statute of limitation period once an injured person “learns” or “becomes aware” that a particular drug is what caused the individual’s injuries. However, it is best to assume you have a strict deadline when pursuing a product liability lawsuit related to a defective drug. Your best bet is to act quickly one you learn you may have a potential product liability lawsuit.
The Defective Drug Lawyers of Parker Waichman LLP devote a portion of their law practice to representing clients injured by defective drugs and medical devices. Our law firm also handles a variety of personal injury matters that include, among others, slip and fall accidents, auto accidents, consumer product liability, workplace accidents, nursing home abuse and neglect, medical malpractice, and construction accidents. In total, we have recovered more than $2 billion in compensation for our clients through settlements and winning at trial. Because of our firm’s success in helping so many clients receive compensation for their injuries, and because of our devotion to customer service, we have received the following peer-reviewed ratings:
To learn more about how Parker Waichman LLP has been so successful in helping injured clients, it is crucial to speak with a member of our legal team about your situation.
If you have suffered an amputation you believe to be related to the use of diuretics in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, you should consider working with a qualified Defective Drug Lawyer to explore your legal options for moving forward. At Parker Waichman LLP, our diuretic lawyers will thoroughly evaluate your potential lawsuit. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today by calling (800) YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) to schedule a free consultation.
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