Prescription Drug Dangers
After three years of litigation, a $64 million class-action settlement
reimburses parents who were misled about the effectiveness and dangers of
Paxil.
These parents will receive full compensation from GlaxoSmithKline for what
they paid for the drug (out-of-pocket expenses), a rarity in these kinds of
dangerous drug medication cases in which victims usually can only receive a
percentage of what they lost.
Paxil was promoted as a drug to fix teenage depression. It leads to suicidal
thoughts. GlaxoSmithKline, the company who produces Paxil, made over $500
million in just its sells to minors.
The Paxil settlement allows anyone with a personal injury claim, such as
parents of a child who took his or her own life, to still sue.
To bring things home, Tennessee is no stranger to suicide and
antidepressents. As I’ve blogged about previously, more Tennesseans die
every year from suicide than from drunk-driving, homicide, or AIDS-an
estimated 750 people take their own life every year in The Volunteer State.
Even more live plagued by depression and suicidal thoughts.
Earlier this month FDA urged antidepressant pharmaceutical companies that
warnings on their drugs (including Paxil) should expand to include adults
ages 18 to 24 for the risks of suicidal thoughts and behavior. It is
interesting an extra six years have been added-and interesting that’s the
extent.
The deadline to file claims for reimbursement is Aug. 31. Information for
submitting a claim can be found at www.paxilpediatricsettlement.com or by
calling the toll-free hot line, 1-866-494-8404.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
