Proton Pump Inhibitor Lawyers
Heartburn Medications Are Supposed To Help You, Not Put You At Risk Of Illness Or Death. Our Attorneys Are Here To Help Get The Recovery You Need.
Stomach acid is a natural biological phenomenon. However, when a person's digestive system produces too much acid (or when the acid migrates outside the stomach), this can be a source of considerable pain and discomfort. A class of drugs known as "proton pump inhibitors" has been developed to treat people who suffer from ailments related to stomach acid. While some of these "PPI" medications have proven beneficial, several others have triggered severe and debilitating side effects. Some of the most widely prescribed and over-the-counter heartburn medications in the United States — including Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid, among others — have been linked to an increased risk of kidney complications that can necessitate dialysis or result in patient death.
If you or a loved one has suffered severe injuries due to a proton pump inhibitor, the proton pump inhibitor lawyers at Grimes Teich Anderson can help you understand your legal rights.
What Are Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI)?
Proton pump inhibitors, which include Nexium, Protonix, Prilosec, and Prevacid, are a class of medications that help to minimize the amount of acid in a person's stomach. They are used to treat stomach ulcers, acid reflux, disorders like gastroesophageal reflux disease and other esophageal-related conditions. PPIs act by preventing certain enzymes from developing acid in the cells of the stomach lining, allowing ulcers and irritations to heal normally.
According to NPR, an estimated 15 million Americans use prescription PPIs, not counting those who buy them over-the-counter. Popular proton pump inhibitors include Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, Zegerid, Kapidex, and Dexilant. In generic form, these medications may be known as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate, or dexlansoprazole. Many of these drugs have been available over the counter for several years to treat heartburn and related ailments.
Risks Associated with PPIs
Since the stomach is sensitive to changes in its environment, PPIs reduce the amount of stomach acid released, which reduces the amount of stomach acid shifted into the intestine. Some PPI users have confirmed heart attacks and myocardial infarctions, as well as an increased risk of fractures, illnesses, congenital defects, strokes, and hypomagnesemia.
There are numerous side effects of proton pump inhibitors. The most common include:
- Headache
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Cough
- Upper respiratory tract infections, such as laryngitis and sinus infections
- Sore throat
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Constipation and Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Back pain
- Fatigue
Proton pump inhibitors have also been related to even more serious side effects, such as:
- An increased risk of hip fracture
- Pneumonia
- An increased risk of coronary artery disease in people who are also taking blood thinners
- Acute interstitial nephritis
- Kidney swelling, chronic kidney disease and renal failure.
Seeking Compensation for Harm Caused by Proton Pump Inhibitors
More than 15,000 PPI cases have been brought against the makers of Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, and Dexilant — as well as Prilosec OTC, Nexium 24HR, and Prevacid 24HR over-the-counter variants. A product's inherent nature, a manufacturing flaw, or a manufacturer's failure to alert customers about non-obvious risks may all make a product unreasonably dangerous. In a product liability case, a person must establish that a product was faulty in a way that made it unreasonably unsafe. Product liability cases may be filed under a variety of legal theories, including negligence, strict liability, and breach of contract (or breach of warranty).
People who have been harmed by a PPI due to poorly disclosed side effects may be entitled to compensation. Beyond a victim's out-of-pocket medical costs, they should be compensated for:
- Medical expenses that can be expected in the future,
- Professional setbacks caused by PPI side effects, such as missed earnings and a reduced opportunity to make a living in the future
- Emotional torment and suffering, as well as physical pain
The experienced proton pump inhibitor lawyers at Grimes Teich Anderson will assist victims in filing a lawsuit to demonstrate their right to compensation. Both the statute of limitations and the statute of repose must be followed. The statute of limitations usually begins to run from the date of the plaintiff's injury. The law of repose begins on another date, such as when a product entered the stream of commerce. If the two dates are different, the plaintiff's lawsuit must be filed by the earlier of the two dates to be deemed timely filed.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Proton Pump Inhibitor Lawyer
More than 15,000 PPI cases have been brought against the makers of Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, and Dexilant — as well as Prilosec OTC, Nexium 24HR, and Prevacid 24HR over-the-counter variants. A product's inherent nature, a manufacturing flaw, or a manufacturer's failure to alert customers about non-obvious risks may all make a product unreasonably dangerous. In a product liability case, a person must establish that a product was faulty in a way that made it unreasonably unsafe. Product liability cases may be filed under a variety of legal theories, including negligence, strict liability, and breach of contract (or breach of warranty).
People who have been harmed by a PPI due to poorly disclosed side effects may be entitled to compensation. Beyond a victim's out-of-pocket medical costs, they should be compensated for:
- Medical expenses that can be expected in the future,
- Professional setbacks caused by PPI side effects, such as missed earnings and a reduced opportunity to make a living in the future
- Emotional torment and suffering, as well as physical pain
The experienced proton pump inhibitor lawyers at Grimes Teich Anderson will assist victims in filing a lawsuit to demonstrate their right to compensation. Both the statute of limitations and the statute of repose must be followed. The statute of limitations usually begins to run from the date of the plaintiff's injury. The law of repose begins on another date, such as when a product entered the stream of commerce. If the two dates are different, the plaintiff's lawsuit must be filed by the earlier of the two dates to be deemed timely filed.
We have multiple locations in the Carolinas to serve you
Grimes Teich Anderson is open for business during Covid 19. We offer free injury consultations and can get started on your case electronically.
ASHEVILLE OFFICE
535 College St.
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: 828.251.0800
FRANKLIN OFFICE
244 Porter Street Suite D
Franklin, NC 28734
Phone: 828.564.2488
RUTHERFORDTON OFFICE
117 Laurel Dr
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Phone: 828.286.1033
SPRUCE PINE OFFICE
12474 S. Hwy 226
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Phone: 828.766.7700
WAYNESVILLE OFFICE
385 N Haywood St.
Waynesville, NC 28786
Phone: 828.452.7888
GREENVILLE OFFICE
111 E North St.
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864.421.0770
*Each case is different, so not all information on this website, as well as some which may not be provided, will apply to every case. Because the facts and relevant laws are different from case to case, Grimes Teich Anderson does not guarantee that the outcome, results, or experiences with one lawyer or one case will be similar to another.
Except for Employment Law Cases, Attorney's fees are a percentage of the entire recovery and will be deducted before other expenses. In addition to the fee in these cases, Client will be responsible for litigation expenses, which will either be deducted from the recovery or paid by the client. Some Employment Law Cases may be handled on a contingency fee basis and others handled on an hourly basis, where the client is billed for the hours spent on the case. Based on our experience, we will advise you of the most appropriate fee arrangement in Employment Law cases.
Material on this website is for information purposes and is not legal advice.