Abilify is a prescription drug commonly used to treat mental and mood disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Tourette’s disorder, and depression. However, like all drugs, there is a host of side effects that sometimes can lead to severe and even life threatening conditions. When drug manufacturers fail to mention certain side effects to potential patients a lawsuit can be filed against the manufacturer for the damages. Although these lawsuits fall under specific time framing guide lines called the Statute of Limitations, and may require assistance from an attorney to help fully understand. If you or a loved one has suffered from the damages of an unmentioned Abilify side effect, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the company responsible. At Normandie Law Firm, on of the top firms in Los Angeles, our skilled Abilify side effect lawyers can guide you through the often complex process of building your case and claiming proper compensation. If you have any questions after reading this article, please feel free to contact our law firm for a free consultation with a qualified attorney who has experience in drug side effect cases.
Abilify: The Drug
Abilify is a drug prescribed as a way to treat mental and mood disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Abilify is considered an antipsychotic drug which means it can decrease hallucinations and improve the overall concentration of the user. It often helps those with serious mental and mood disorders think more clearly and positively about themselves, feel less nervous, and take more of an active part in everyday life. However, like all drugs, Abilify has some side effects that can, in some cases, be more troublesome than the condition itself. Some of these common side effects are bulleted below:
- Severe agitation, distress, or restless feelings
- Twitching or uncontrollable movements of the eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs
- Mask-like appearance of the face, including trouble swallowing and problems with speech
- Seizures (convulsions)
- Thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself
- Low blood cell counts
- High blood sugar
- Weight gain
- Blurred vision
- Nausea, vomiting, changes in appetite, constipation
- Drooling
- A headache, dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired
- Anxiety, feeling restless
- Sleep problems (insomnia
- Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat.
- Fast heartbeat
- Increased sweating
- Pale Skin
- Puffing of cheeks
- Uncontrolled chewing movement
Before taking Abilify, it is highly recommended that patients consult a medical professional to make sure that the drug is right for you and your condition. Abilify has recently come under controversy as class action lawsuits have been filed against the drug manufacturing company for an unmentioned side effect of the drug that causes compulsive behavior such as shopping, eating, sex, and gambling. Gambling is likely most damaging of the unmentioned compulsive gambling side effects, and many are seeking compensation for the damages caused by it. Those who have suffered from the damages of compulsive addiction through Abilify have every right to pursue legal action against the manufacturer. These users are often seeking the following from their suits:
- To cover the expenses for the treatment of compulsive gambling addiction
- To recover any money lost due to gambling
- To gain compensation for severe emotional injuries
- To restore a previous quality of life
Drug manufacturers have a responsibility to their consumers to ensure that they are aware of all the side effects that their drug may cause. When this responsibility is neglected, the drug manufacturing company can be presented with a damaging lawsuit. However, like all lawsuits, there are specific laws and guidelines which must be followed to successfully file a lawsuit. An accomplished attorney with expertise in drug side effect injury lawsuits can give you more details.
Abilify and Defective Products
Drug manufacturers are expected to distribute products that inform patients of all the side effects the drug may contain. When this expectation is neglected, a product liability lawsuit can be filed against the drug company. These suits fall under product liability laws, which are put in place to ensure defective products don’t end up in the hands of consumers. These laws also make it easier for consumers to file a lawsuit against the company responsible for the damages. When this law is breached by a defect, a product liability attorney can assist a victim in determining where the defect occurred so proper legal action can be taken. Some of the common points in the production chain where a defect can occur are as follows:
- Design Defects: These defects occur before the product is even assembled, and has a fault that makes the product inherently dangerous. In some cases, these defects can lead to full scale recalls, and the company which organized the design of the product could be held liable for the damages.
- Manufacturing Defects: These defects occur during the actual assembly of a product. They can range from minor mistakes along the manufacturing chain to reoccurring mistakes that can result in significant recalls. In these instances, the manufacturing company could be deemed responsible for the damages.
- Marketing Defects: These defects occur during the marketing of a specific product. These defects include things like improper labeling, insufficient instructions, or inadequate safety warnings.
When a company causes a defect that brings harm to a consumer, that consumer can file a lawsuit against the company responsible for the defect. However, when pursuing legal action against a company it is highly recommended that you retain the assistance of a skilled attorney. An expert attorney with experience handling product liability claims can help you navigate the complexities that come with filing a suit, and successfully get you the compensation that you deserve for your damages.
The Statute of Limitations for Ambilify Lawsuit
The statute of limitations for any lawsuit is the time limit in which a person can bring a case to court. These statutes are put in place to protect the defendants from being wrongfully hit with a lawsuit. This statute of limitations varies from state to state and change depending on the nature of your case. The statute of limitations for an Abilify lawsuit depends on what kind of lawsuit is being filed. For instance, the statute of limitations for consumer class action lawsuits depend on the type of fraudulent activities, and the state in which the activities took place. The best way to determine what the statute of limitations is for your particular case is to seek the assistance of an attorney. However, in the state of California, the statute of limitations for a defective product case is two years from the time the injury is or should have been discovered. The deadline to sue a drug manufacturer for an Abilify caused gambling problem can vary just as frequently as any other case, and as such, an attorney should be consulted to better determine how much time you have to file your case.
Contact a lawyer experienced in drug side effect cases for more information.
How Our Experienced Lawyers Can Help
Having an experienced attorney on your side can make the difference between filing a successful claim for compensation and having your case dismissed from court entirely. If you or a loved one has suffered from the damages of an unmentioned side effect of Abilify, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturing company for compensation. At the top-rated Normandie Law Firm, our skilled product liability and class action attorneys can guide you through the often complicated process of building your case and bringing it to court. While we are based in Los Angeles, our lawyers practice in Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield and throughout the state of California. As a show this commitment to you and your case we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Under our zero fee policy, all clients don’t pay for our services until their case is won. If you feel in need of a second opinion, second opinion case reviews are also free under this policy. Call now for a free consultation by one of our attorneys with experience in drug side effect cases, and we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
