Pharmaceutical/Medical Device Litigation

The pharmaceutical industry is a multi-billion dollar a year business, and although Americans make up only 5% of the world’s population, we consume 44% of all prescription medications manufactured and distributed worldwide.  While some may debate the cause of this staggeringly disproportionate use of pharmaceutical products within the United States, undoubtedly the single most influential factor is that the United States allows drug manufacturers to market their products directly to consumers.  This strategy, commonly referred as direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising, results in $4 in pharmaceutical sales for every $1 spent on advertising.  Recognizing the inherent risks of allowing such practices, DTC advertising has been outlawed in all but two countries, the United States and New Zealand (as of 2006, New Zealand’s government was considering legislation that would ban DTC).  Thus, it is not surprising that millions of Americans go to their doctors requesting prescription medication, turning the traditional doctor-patient relationship on its head.

Pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers often downplay the side effects of their products or find ways to skirt federal laws designed to provide consumer safety. They also flood the airwaves with commercials touting their “magic pills” and products. The combination of these two efforts can be lethal and costly.  Every year, thousands of Americans die or suffer adverse effects from prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and faulty medical devices.  The FDA estimated that as many as 55,000 deaths were caused by Vioxx, alone. This popular arthritis medication generated billions of dollars in revenue for its manufacturer. Kopelman Law Group fights for consumers, letting drug and device manufacturers know that placing profits above consumer safety will not be tolerated.  We are recognized as a leader in the pursuit of legal claims against the powerful pharmaceutical industry. We have represented thousands of consumers who have suffered serious bodily injuries after ingesting defective medications, the unreasonably dangerous side-effects of which the manufacturers did not warn.  Kopelman Law Group predominantly has been retained to represent clients throughout the southeastern United States, but also has filed lawsuits on behalf of its clients in both state and federal courts in many states across the country.