Invokana & Florida Pharmaceutical Drug Injuries: What You Need to Know
SGLT2 inhibitors — including Invokana — are a group of pharmaceutical drugs that are approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to treat patients who have Type 2 diabetes. The agency has warned, however, that SGLT2 inhibitors may lead to serious medical conditions. Some risks include diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), increased bone breaks, kidney injuries and even amputations. Several pharmaceutical manufacturers sell SGLT2 inhibitors. Johnson & Johnson (J&J), the maker of Invokana, has been under criticism due to the harmful side effects associated with the pharmaceutical drug. Indeed, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed in federal and state courts across the country claiming injury due to Invokana. Plaintiffs in these cases allege J&J’;s subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, failed to warn patients about the drug’;s side effects and misrepresented the risks associated with taking the diabetes medication.
Anyone who has been injured by a pharmaceutical drug should reach out to a dedicated attorney at Farah & Farah immediately. Our skilled legal team has been serving the community since 1979 and will use our decades of experience to protect your rights and ensure you are able to recover adequate compensation for your injuries.
Serious Side Effects for Pharmaceutical Drug Injuries
Invokana, Invokamet, Invokamet XR and similar pharmaceutical drugs have been linked to multiple serious medical conditions including ketoacidosis, impaired kidney function, heart issues, bone breaks and other complications. According to the American Diabetes Association, symptoms of ketoacidosis include nausea, trouble breathing, confusion or difficulty with concentration, vomiting, unusual sleepiness or fatigue, dry or flushed skin, and abdominal pain. Kidney injuries associated with Invokana and other similar drugs include urinary tract infections, kidney stones, kidney failure, abnormal weight loss, dehydration or fluid imbalances, kidney dysfunction, swelling in the legs or feet, and kidney failure. In June of 2016, the FDA required additional warning labels regarding kidney injuries for these pharmaceutical drugs.
Prior to FDA approval, there was concern about Invokana and cardiovascular side effects as well as unsafe increases in low blood pressure and urinary infections. Research has also linked Invokana and other SGLT2 drugs other medical conditions including breast cancer, bladder cancer, yeast infections, and pancreatitis.
Other safety groups, including the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), have cast doubt on whether the drug’;s benefits truly outweigh its medical risks.
What to Do If Injured by Invokana or Another Pharmaceutical Drug
When injured by a pharmaceutical drug, a lawyer from Farah & Farah can help you seek compensation.
If you or someone you care about thinks he or she is taking a defective pharmaceutical drug, the first thing that should happen is a conversation with your treating healthcare provider. The same is true if you or someone you know has been harmed by Invokana, Invokamet, Invokamet XR or any other pharmaceutical drug. The reason behind this first step is so that a medical professional can monitor your symptoms and confirm whether or not hospitalization is necessary.
Virtually every type of legal claim is governed by a statute of limitation. A statute of limitation is the time frame under which a claim must be filed or be forever barred. Statutes of limitations are established so that when the cases are brought before a judge and jury, there is fresh and reliable evidence. The sooner you file your claim, the fresher the witnesses’; memories are, the more readily available documents are, and the more recent the event that occurred is. Under Florida law, health care providers, including pharmacists, are considered “learned professionals” requiring any legal claim against them to be filed within two years under the state’s statute of limitations. Product liability claims, on the other hand, are governed by a four-year statute of limitation.
There is no reason that you should attempt to file a personal injury claim on your own. Our experienced legal team at Farah & Farah is prepared to act swiftly to file a claim on your behalf in order to obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
Proving Your Pharmaceutical Drug Case
A pharmaceutical drug-related injury happens when a patient takes a medication and is harmed because the drug was defective, the wrong medication was prescribed, or the advice on how to take the drug was incorrect. Defective pharmaceutical drug cases fall under the general area of the law known as product liability. Manufacturers and pharmaceuticals owe a duty to the public to make their pharmaceutical drugs and devices as safe as possible. Indeed, these drugs and devices are put under rigorous testing and clinical trials before being released to the public. Drug manufacturers and pharmaceuticals also owe a duty to warn pharmacists, physicians, and other health care providers and medical industry professionals about the potential risks to patients. Failure to inform about these risks could result in additional liability.
Any party in the chain of distribution, from the point of manufacturing to when the product reaches the consumer, can be held liable for injuries. The parties that may be named as defendants in a pharmaceutical drug product liability case include: the manufacturer, physician, hospital, pharmacy, pharmacist, testing laboratory, among others.
Like any other product liability case, pharmaceutical drug cases can be hard to prove. An injured party must show the following in order to succeed:
- The medication was used correctly. This is because if a patient does not use the medication in the way it was intended to be used, it cannot be said the defendant was responsible for the injuries suffered;
- The person suffered an injury. This is often shown through medical records and/or doctors’ testimony on your condition(s);
- There were no warnings about the dangers. It is vital to establish that the injured party was unaware of the side effects and/or was inadequately warned of the danger;
- The pharmaceutical drug was the cause of the injury. Establishing a link between the pharmaceutical drug and the injury is required to tie everything together and win the case.
Not surprisingly, pharmaceutical drug manufacturers have an entire legal team and medical experts testifying on their behalf when confronted with a pharmaceutical drug product liability claim. Similarly, a plaintiff seeking monetary compensation for injuries suffered due to a defective pharmaceutical drug will need the assistance of medical experts, investigators, scientists and other professionals to properly put together a claim.
If you have been injured, we are here for you. The talented litigators at Farah & Farah are able to seek out relevant experts in order to prove your case in pursuit of damages.
Our Promise to You
In each case that we take on, we offer our clients a personalized approach to ensure their success, and we honor the commitment we’ve made. Specifically, as part of our promise to you, we act swiftly on your behalf with our rapid-response team of lawyers, investigators, and medical experts. We communicate openly with you and are available to answer your phone call, anytime. We will fight for you in and out of the courtroom and we can even find the right doctor to treat your injuries. This dedication to service is why we have secured over $1 billion in the courtroom for our clients.
Our attorneys have been serving the area for decades, and the results have shown, both in and out of the courtroom. Specifically, we have received a wide array of recognition, including the Justice for All Award from the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, being named Best Lawyer by Folio Weekly, and standing as a proud member of the Florida Justice Association and the American Association for Justice.
Our talented legal team is ready to help you. Reach out to us to learn more.
How a Drug Injury Attorney in Florida Can Help
The skilled attorneys at Farah & Farah work together in groups on a case to give clients the best resources and provide the dedication they deserve. Our vast legal team is comprised of attorneys, case managers, investigators and legal assistants. All of these individuals are available to personally meet the needs of each and every client trusting the firm with their case and discuss the details of the matter. If you or someone you care about has been injured as a result of taking Invokana, Invokamet or Invokamet XR, contact Farah & Farah today for an initial case evaluation.
