May 18, 2009

Defective Drug Raptiva Recalled for Dangerous Side Effects

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that drug maker Genentech has withdrawn the psoriasis drug Raptiva from the market because of its link to drug related injury, one of which is a fatal brain infection. According to this news report, Raptiva could cause potential risk of patients developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or PML, which is a rare, serious, progressive neurological disease caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system.

Raptiva is an injection psoriasis patients take weekly to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Genentech estimates that 2,000 patients in the United States may be receiving Raptiva for chronic plaque psoriasis. FDA officials have told doctors nationwide not to initiate new Raptiva treatment and talk to their patients about alternative treatments and therapy.

All drugs have side effects, but when drugs cause serious or fatal side effects leaving you in worse shape than you were when you started treatment, something is horribly wrong. The New York pharmaceutical drug litigation lawyers at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro, LLP, have represented numerous clients and their families over the years that have been injured by dangerous and defective drugs put on the market by drug manufacturers without proper testing or research.

If you are the victim of a defective or dangerous drug in New York, you could be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses, additional treatment costs, pain and suffering, and loss of earnings. Please call us today to schedule your free consultation. We will remain on your side, fight for your legal rights and make sure that these drug makers are held accountable for their negligence.

March 31, 2009

Staten Island Defective Drug Lawsuit Awards $22.5 Million to Man

Dominick Tenuto, a Staten Island man who contracted paralytic polio 30 years ago when his 5-month-old daughter was vaccinated using a live virus, has been awarded $22.5 million in compensation. According to this news report, Tenuto, now 61, was seeking millions from Lederle Laboratories, the manufacturer of the vaccine, Orimune. Tenuto contracted polio a month after his daughter was vaccinated. He lost use of his legs. He also sued the estate of pediatrician Dr. Leroy Schwartz, but the jury only held Lederle liable in this case. Tenuto is still wheelchair-bound because of the drug related injury in Staten Island.

Adverse drug reactions or effects can seriously change our lives. Although all drugs have some form of side effects, it is the drug manufacturer's responsibility to make sure that consumers are aware of those adverse effects before they make a decision to use that drug. It's also a drug manufacturer's duty to ensure that it doesn't make or distribute dangerous or defective products.

If the drug is defective or if the drug manufacturer has not done a proper job of informing consumers about the possible side effects, then the drug maker can be held liable for injuries caused to the consumer. In the case of this Staten Island man, he was left with a permanent disability.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or if you have lost a loved one because of a defective drug or defective products, please call a skilled New York personal injury attorney at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free consultation. We will remain on your side, fight for your rights and make sure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.