Maximize Your Compensation for Your Zithromax, Zmax Injuries
Parker Waichman LLP, a national plaintiffs’ law firm, learned that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning to long-term users of Zithromax and Zmax (azithromycin) antibiotics that they are at a higher risk than most people of suffering from certain cancers. The people most likely to be affected by this increased risk are individuals who recently had stem-cell transplant surgery. The FDA is performing more thorough research. Consequently, Pfizer, the manufacturer of Zithromax and Zmax is warning doctors and patients with a letter advising them of the possible link. However, Pfizer may be facing lawsuits in the future for failing to warn patients about the possible dangers of relapsing from cancer while taking Zithromax or Zmax if the FDA confirms the connection.
Clients of Parker Waichman LLP who experienced severe illness, deliberating injury, or the death of a loved one feel like companies who expose innocent people to serious harm should suffer serious consequences. The way in which companies feel the most pain is by hitting them where it hurts: their bottom line. Our attorneys believe that winning significant judgments or settling personal injury claims hurts drug manufacturers’ businesses, which hopefully, gives them an incentive to cease their reckless behavior. Our clients have experienced a sense of closure and peace after vigorously pursuing damages from others who have caused them harm. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today to find out more information about how we can help you and your family win the financial compensation you deserve.
Powerful Antibiotics
Zithromax and Zmax, also known by their generic name azithromycin, are powerful antibiotic medications designed to treat bacterial infections or to ward off bacterial infections. Azithromycin has been in circulation for over 25 years. Pfizer indicates that Zithromax is intended for the treatment of mild to moderate bacterial infections. Specifically, physicians may prescribe Zithromax to treat illnesses in adults such as:
- Chronic bronchitis,
- Sinusitis,
- Skin infections,
- Bladder and other genitourinary infections,
- Adult and childhood Pneumonia, and
- Pharyngitis and tonsillitis in both adults and children.
FDA Identifies Possible Lethal Side Effects of Azithromycin
The FDA issued its warning regarding azithromycin after research that doctors attempted failed. The researchers prescribed azithromycin to people participating in the study that who had stem cell transplant surgery to combat a severe medical known as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome is a serious condition affecting the lungs. Its symptoms present as a dry, harsh cough, along with shortness of breath. Inflammation and scarring in the lungs’ airways cause the syndrome.
Cancer patients who received stem cell transplants frequently develop bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Researchers endeavor to find a cure or, at the very least, find relief for the patient from the symptoms of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Researchers attempted to harness the success azithromycin user have experienced by studying the drug’s effects on patients with blood or lymph node cancer patients after stem cell transplant.
The researchers’ hypothesized that azithromycin could prevent bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Their hypothesis turned out to be incorrect, and incredibly harmful, and fatal in some instances. The trial results proved that blood and lymph node cancers returned at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, some of the trial subjects lost their courageous battles with cancer and died after they relapsed.
Evidence from the study demonstrates that the azithromycin caused the patients to relapse and cancer returned aggressively. As a result, the FDA issued a warning indicating that patients should not receive azithromycin as a treatment after stem cell transplant procedures. This trial, which researchers had to cease before the scheduled conclusion date due to the epic failure of their hypotheses, persuasively proves that azithromycin is not an option for long-term use.
The FDA cautioned patients who are still taking Zithromax, Zmax, or generic azithromycin to talk to their physician immediately. The FDA counseled that no one should stop taking his or her prescription without first consulting their doctor.
Injuries from Zithromax and Zmax
Relapse of cancer is frightening. The relief you felt after your oncologist told you that you were in remission is replaced by a deep-rooted fear. You are afraid of the future; fearful of the treatments; afraid of not being able to beat it this time. You might also feel shocked, disbelief, anger, despair, defeated and dispirited. All of the feelings you felt after receiving the news from your doctor that your cancer has returned are perfectly understandable.
Cancer recurrence may return to the exact spot when you were first diagnosed or could be in another location, or it could become an entirely different cancer because it affected a different bodily system. Your prognosis may depend on whether your oncologist caught the recurrence early. If so, your recurrence can be treated. In other instances, slowing the growth of a tumor is the appropriate treatment. In other instances, surgery might be your best option.
In cases in which treatment would be harsh with the likelihood of recovery meager, the patient may opt for palliative care and live out their days comfortably rather than face the ravaging effects of chemotherapy and radiation, or try an experimental treatment that could make the patient’s health worse.
Not only is the physical pain and illness an injury, but the psychological distress is also an injury. Cancer patients suffer tremendously under the stress of the unknown and the foreboding of what is to come. Those emotions could be even stronger and have a greater debilitating effect when receiving a diagnosis of recurring cancer than when you were first diagnosed.
Additionally, your family suffers as well. Your spouse will likely become your caretaker again like they were when you were initially diagnosed with cancer. Acting as a caretaker, spouse, and parent is a lot to ask of one person. Most people will encounter the task willingly and lovingly, but that does not mean it is easy for them.
What Grounds do I have to File a Zithromax or Zmax Lawsuit?
You have grounds to file a legal claim for damages against a pharmaceutical company like Pfizer, who manufacturers Zithromax and Zmax, or another company that makes the generic version azithromycin if the drugs’ manufacturer committed an act or omission that caused your injuries. Drug makers are legally liable for damages when:
- Their entire product line is defective. This is called a defective design;
- One or multiple lots of the manufactured product are faulty. This situation is known as a manufacturing defect; or,
- The pharmaceutical company failed to warn about specific side effects that their customers experience, and the drugmaker either knew or should have known about the side effect and failed to disclose it to the public.
The injury you experienced must be related directly or proximately to the manufacturer’s act or omission to receive compensation. Put simply, a defect without an injury is the same as saying “no harm, no foul.” The converse is also true. You must have evidence connecting your injury, illness, or other loss to the manufacturing defect. Failing that, you have no grounds to sue.
Accordingly, you need an attorney who will fight for you but who also has the skill and legal acumen to prove that your illness or injury stems directly from the manufacturer’s act or failure to act. The pharmaceutical injury lawyers with Parker Waichman LLP not only understand the law that applies to your case. Any lawyer can learn that. What sets Parker Waichman LLP’s lawyers apart from other firms is having the hands-on experience that trial lawyers handling significant cases like yours should have. Our attorneys know how to retain the best expert witnesses who will demonstrate to the judge or jury that the defendant’s failure resulted in your loss.
How much is my case worth?
The question is most often asked but is frequently the most difficult to answer. Most of the time the answer is: it depends. Many factors figure into determining the monetary value of your case.
We have to consider numerous factors when trying to figure out what a case might be worth. We will look at your medical bills; future anticipated medical costs, lost wages, loss of prospective economic advantage, and other damages called “special damages” because the number is certain.
You may receive compensation for other damages as well. For instance, in a wrongful death case, your lawyer must determine what the value of a person’s life was, taking into consideration the overall health, educational level, financial well-being, station in life, and other factors to determine what demand should be made.
Similarly, when your Parker Waichman LLP lawyer talks about damages for emotional trauma and pain and suffering, they are talking about the emotional loss and physical pain you experienced because of the defendant company’s actions or inactions. That is hard to put a number on. One rule of thumb is to triple the special damages. That number is entirely arbitrary and could be wholly insufficient to compensate you for your loss fully.
It is important to know that each case is different and just because one person received one sum does not mean necessarily that you will receive the same. You could get less; you could get more. In the final analysis, our lawyers will diligently work to maximize the value of your case.
Why You Need a Parker Waichman LLP Attorney
Our peers nationally recognize Parker Waichman LLP’s lawyers for their commitment to excellence in their individualized service to their clients as well as their success in the courtroom. Parker Waichman LLP has won numerous awards and five-star ratings from their peers.
Moreover, our firm’s success is second-to-none. To date, we have recovered over $2 billion for our clients. That figure includes some of the largest jury verdicts ever recorded and participating in one of the largest financial settlements ever reached.
Our lawyers understand what it takes to face a powerful pharmaceutical company like Pfizer. We have encountered companies like Pfizer and their lawyers before; Large pharmaceutical companies have their reputations to protect in addition to their bottom lines. Accordingly, they will fight tooth and nail to protect their brand. People who try to negotiate a settlement without an attorney do not fare well at all. On average, injured parties who have legal representation receive settlements and judgments that are at least 35% larger than unrepresented parties.
Furthermore, if you represent yourself, you will have to learn the procedural and substantive law of your case including complex evidentiary issues. You will also have to negotiate with seasoned veterans who have years of experience haggling over the value of a lawsuit just like yours. To put it bluntly: you are at a severe disadvantage trying to take on Pfizer all on your own.
Contingency Fee
Our firm’s lawyers will represent you on a contingency fee basis. In other words, we do not receive any fee until or unless you receive a monetary award. We will advance the costs of the litigation to you and recoup them at the end from your settlement or judgment. You never have to come up with any money out of your pocket to pursue your rights to justice.
Qualified, Caring Legal Advice Available 24/7
Our pharmaceutical injury lawyers are available 24/7 to discuss your claim. You can call us at 1-800-YOURLAWYER or visit our website to learn more. Do not delay. Even if you are unsure if you have a case, you must call us. Time is limited so act now. We will pursue your compensation with the same care, compassion, and diligence with which we handle all of our cases.
Call Parker Waichman LLP at 1-800-YOURLAWYER today to initiate your claim with a free case review. Our pharmaceutical injury lawyers are ready to fight for you and your family.
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