Dangerous Pharmaceuticals in Corpus Christi: When Prescription Drugs Cause Serious Harm

You trust your doctor to prescribe medications that will help you, not harm you. You trust that pharmaceutical companies have tested their drugs thoroughly, disclosed all risks, and provided adequate warnings. But when a dangerous drug makes it to market—when side effects are hidden, risks are downplayed, or the drug causes unforeseen harm—the consequences can be devastating. In Corpus Christi and throughout the Coastal Belt, dangerous pharmaceutical cases require attorneys who understand the complex laws governing drug liability, the strategies for proving that a drug caused your injuries, and the resources to take on the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

At Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we represent individuals and families throughout Corpus Christi and the Coastal Belt who have been injured by dangerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Whether you were harmed by a medication that caused serious side effects, a drug that was not adequately tested, or a pharmaceutical that concealed known risks, we provide the knowledgeable, aggressive representation you need to seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve. With extensive experience in pharmaceutical litigation, we guide our clients through every stage of the complex claims process.

Understanding Pharmaceutical Liability

Pharmaceutical liability is a specialized area of product liability law that holds drug manufacturers, distributors, and sometimes prescribing physicians accountable for injuries caused by dangerous medications. Pharmaceutical companies have a duty to ensure their drugs are safe, adequately tested, and properly labeled with warnings about known risks.

Theories of Liability

Failure to Warn
Pharmaceutical companies have a duty to warn doctors and patients about known risks associated with their drugs. Failure to warn can include:

• Failing to disclose serious side effects

• Downplaying known risks

• Failing to warn about drug interactions

• Inadequate instructions for use

• Failure to update warnings as new risks are discovered

Design Defect
A drug may be defectively designed if its risks outweigh its benefits. This is particularly relevant for drugs that were approved but later found to cause serious harm.

Manufacturing Defect
A manufacturing defect occurs when a specific batch of drugs is contaminated or improperly formulated, causing harm to patients.

Negligence
Pharmaceutical companies can be sued for negligence in:

• Failing to conduct adequate testing

• Failing to report adverse events to the FDA

• Improper marketing practices

• Concealing known risks

Fraud and Misrepresentation
When pharmaceutical companies intentionally conceal risks or make false claims about their drugs, they may be liable for fraud.

Common Dangerous Drugs and Their Risks

Opioid Painkillers

Opioids have been at the center of a nationwide epidemic of addiction and overdose deaths. Commonly prescribed opioids include:

• Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)

• Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco)

• Fentanyl

• Morphine

• Codeine

Risks:

• Addiction and dependence

• Overdose and death

• Respiratory depression

• Neonatal abstinence syndrome in infants exposed in utero

Blood Thinners

Blood thinners can cause life-threatening bleeding complications.

• Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

• Eliquis (apixaban)

• Pradaxa (dabigatran)

• Warfarin (Coumadin)

Risks:

• Uncontrollable bleeding

• Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Brain hemorrhages

• Lack of effective reversal agents

Diabetes Medications

Certain diabetes drugs have been linked to serious side effects.

• Invokana, Invokamet (canagliflozin)

• Farxiga (dapagliflozin)

• Jardiance (empagliflozin)

Risks:

• Ketoacidosis (dangerous acid buildup in the blood)

• Kidney failure

• Foot and leg amputations

• Heart attack and stroke

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

Common pain relievers can cause serious gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems.

• Celebrex (celecoxib)

• Vioxx (rofecoxib) – withdrawn from market

• Bextra (valdecoxib) – withdrawn from market

Risks:

• Heart attack and stroke

• Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Stomach ulcers

• Kidney damage

Antidepressants and Antipsychotics

These medications have been linked to serious side effects.

• SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa)

• SNRIs (Cymbalta, Effexor)

• Atypical antipsychotics (Abilify, Risperdal, Seroquel)

Risks:

• Birth defects (especially with Zoloft, Paxil)

• Suicidal thoughts in young adults

• Weight gain and diabetes

• Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements)

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone products have been linked to serious cardiovascular risks.

• AndroGel

• Testim

• Axiron

• Injectable testosterone

Risks:

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Blood clots

• Pulmonary embolism

Hernia Mesh

Surgical mesh used for hernia repair can cause serious complications.
Risks:

• Chronic pain

• Infection

• Adhesions

• Mesh erosion

• Need for revision surgery

IVC Filters

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent blood clots but can cause serious complications.
Risks:

• Filter migration

• Filter fracture

• Perforation of blood vessels or organs

• Difficulty removing the filter

Talcum Powder

Talcum powder products have been linked to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.
Risks:

• Ovarian cancer

• Mesothelioma (from asbestos contamination)

Zantac (Ranitidine)

Zantac was found to contain NDMA, a probable human carcinogen.
Risks:

• Cancer (stomach, bladder, colorectal, pancreatic)

Proving a Dangerous Drug Case

Step 1: Document Your Injury

• Preserve medication bottles and packaging

• Keep records of prescriptions

• Document when you started and stopped taking the drug

• Keep a journal of symptoms and side effects

Step 2: Seek Medical Care

• Seek immediate medical attention

• Document all diagnoses and treatments

• Keep copies of all medical records

• Ask your doctor about the connection between the drug and your injury

Step 3: Consult an Attorney

An experienced pharmaceutical attorney can evaluate your case and advise you on your rights.

Step 4: Investigation

Your attorney conducts a thorough investigation, including:

• Reviewing medical records

• Researching the drug’s FDA approval history

• Obtaining internal pharmaceutical company documents

• Reviewing adverse event reports

• Consulting with medical experts

Step 5: Expert Witnesses

Pharmaceutical cases require expert testimony from:

• Pharmacologists

• Toxicologists

• Medical specialists

• Epidemiologists

• FDA regulatory experts

Step 6: Identify Responsible Parties

Multiple parties may be liable:

• Drug manufacturer

• Distributor

• Prescribing physician (in some cases)

• Pharmacy (in some cases)

Step 7: Demand and Negotiation

Your attorney sends a demand letter and negotiates with the pharmaceutical company and their insurers.

Step 8: Litigation

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney files a lawsuit and pursues your claim in court.

Mass Tort and Class Action Lawsuits

Many dangerous drug cases are brought as mass torts or class actions. In a mass tort, each plaintiff’s case is handled individually, allowing for compensation based on individual injuries. In a class action, one case represents many plaintiffs.

Common Mass Torts:

• Opioid litigation

• Hernia mesh litigation

• IVC filter litigation

• Talcum powder litigation

• Zantac litigation

• Testosterone replacement therapy litigation

The Dangerous Drug Case Process

Step 1: Preserve Evidence

• Save all medication bottles and packaging

• Keep prescription records

• Document your symptoms

• Save all medical records

Step 2: Seek Medical Care

Seek immediate medical attention. Follow all treatment recommendations.

Step 3: Consult an Attorney

An experienced pharmaceutical attorney can evaluate your case and advise you on your rights.

Step 4: Investigation

Your attorney conducts a thorough investigation, including:

• Reviewing medical records

• Researching the drug

• Consulting with experts

• Identifying potential defendants

Step 5: Demand and Negotiation

Your attorney sends a demand letter and negotiates with the pharmaceutical company and their insurers.

Step 6: Litigation

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney files a lawsuit and pursues your claim in court.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dangerous Pharmaceuticals

What is pharmaceutical liability?

Pharmaceutical liability is the area of law that holds drug manufacturers, distributors, and sometimes prescribing physicians accountable for injuries caused by dangerous medications.

How long do I have to file a drug injury claim?

In Texas, you generally have two years from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) the injury to file a claim. This is known as the discovery rule.

What damages can I recover?

You may recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in cases of death, funeral expenses and loss of companionship.

What if I was prescribed the drug by my doctor?

You may still have a claim against the drug manufacturer. In some cases, you may also have a claim against the prescribing physician.

What is a mass tort?

A mass tort is a type of lawsuit where many plaintiffs sue the same defendant for injuries caused by the same product, but each plaintiff’s case is handled individually.

Do I need to be part of a class action to sue?

No. Many dangerous drug cases are handled as individual lawsuits or mass torts, not class actions.

What if the drug was approved by the FDA?

FDA approval is not a defense. Pharmaceutical companies can still be liable for failing to warn about risks known at the time or discovered after approval.

How long do drug cases take?

Drug cases often take longer than other personal injury cases due to the complexity of the evidence and the number of plaintiffs. Cases can take years to resolve.

Do I need an attorney for a drug injury case?

Yes. Pharmaceutical cases are complex, require expert testimony, and involve powerful corporate defendants. An experienced pharmaceutical attorney can help you navigate the process and maximize your recovery.

How much does it cost to hire a pharmaceutical attorney?

Most pharmaceutical attorneys work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront, and the attorney is paid a percentage of any recovery.

Why Barton & Associates Is the Right Choice for Your Pharmaceutical Case

Pharmaceutical cases require attorneys who understand the complex laws governing drug liability, the strategies for proving causation, and the resources to take on the largest pharmaceutical companies. At Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we have extensive experience representing victims of dangerous drugs in Corpus Christi and throughout the Coastal Belt.

Our attorneys understand the importance of preserving evidence, the need for expert testimony, and the strategies for proving that a drug caused your injuries. We work closely with our clients to investigate the facts, gather evidence, and build a compelling case for full compensation.

We also understand that pharmaceutical cases require significant resources. Our firm has the resources to retain top experts, conduct thorough investigations, and take cases to trial against the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

Seek Justice for Dangerous Drug Injuries Today

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dangerous prescription or over-the-counter drug in Corpus Christi, you have the right to seek justice. Do not wait. Evidence can be lost, and statutes of limitations are strict.

Contact the experienced pharmaceutical injury attorneys at Barton & Associates today. Call us directly at 361-800-6780 to speak with a member of our team. You may also complete the Free Consultation form on our website, and we will reach out to you promptly. Please note that all on-site consultations at our Corpus Christi office are by appointment only, ensuring that we can give your case the focused attention it requires.

Reach out today—let us help you hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.

Main Category: Personal Injury Corpus Christi
Practice Area Category: Defective Products & Liability
Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law
5110 Wilkinson Dr Suite 210, Corpus Christi, TX 78415
Office: 361-800-6780