The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked manufacturers to remove the weight-loss drug Belviq from the U.S. market. If you took Belviq and developed cancer, you might have a Belviq lawsuit. You could be entitled to compensation.
Our Belviq lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help. With over 20 years of experience in product liability and personal injury law, we know how to build a strong case. We’ll discuss your options during a FREE, no-risk consultation.
Compensation in Your Belviq Lawsuit
You might have a Belviq lawsuit if you took Belviq or Belviq XR (extended-release), and a doctor subsequently diagnosed you with lung, pancreatic, colorectal, or another type of cancer.
If you have a legal case, you can seek compensation for your damages. Damages are losses that you experienced from a defective or dangerous product. Your losses might include:
- Medical treatment costs.
- Prescription medications.
- Lost wages from missed work time.
- Lost earning capacity because of your condition.
- Physical and mental pain and suffering.
- Punitive damages as covered under Georgia Code § 51-12-5.1.
An experienced Belviq lawyer can help you seek compensation for what you’ve suffered. He or she will consider all of the ways Belviq and your cancer diagnosis has impacted you, calculate your damages, and prepare your case.
It’s essential to find a Belviq lawyer as soon as possible. The statute of limitations only allows a certain amount of time for you to file. The clock starts ticking from the moment of your injury. Since cancer is complicated, you’ll need a lawyer to uphold your rights.
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Wrongful Death Belviq Damages
Unfortunately, cancer takes too many lives too soon. If a loved one died from cancer after taking Belviq, you might have a case. A Belviq lawyer can help you with a wrongful death suit.
What to Do Right Away for Your Belviq Lawsuit
If you received a cancer diagnosis, it’s vital that you:
- Get all the medical treatment you need.
- Keep track of your bills and other expenses.
- Follow all of your doctor’s orders and advice.
If you wait to get the treatment you need, it will hurt your case. You’ll need to show how the cancer diagnosis from Belviq impacted you. Medical records will show your economic damages and back up your emotional injuries.
Who Is Responsible for Your Damages?
In a product liability lawsuit, there is a liable party. A person or company’s carelessness led to your injuries and damages. The at-fault party in a prescription drugs case could be:
- The drug’s manufacturers.
- Drug distributors or sales reps.
- The doctor or hospital that prescribed the medication.
- A pharmacy.
- A consultant.
Some product liability cases happen because of a manufacturing defect. Others occur because of serious drug side effects. In the Belviq lawsuits, the side effect could be cancer for some users — which is very serious.
If your doctor or hospital prescribed the drug or did not warn you about side effects, they could be partially responsible. You might have a medical malpractice case. Talk to your lawyer about this to know your options.
Drug Product Liability Laws
Georgia Code § 51-1-11 covers Georgia’s product liability laws. According to the regulations, an injured person does not need to prove that they bought the product to sue the manufacturer. Even if you didn’t buy the product, you can file a lawsuit seeking compensation.
To have a case, you will need to prove that:
- The medication was potentially dangerous when your diagnosis happened.
- The drug’s side effect caused your diagnosis (or a loved one’s death).
- The drug’s condition was the same as when it left the manufacturer.
- You used the medication as the manufacturer designed it.
A Belviq lawsuit is complicated. You will need help from an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer can begin gathering information and building your case.
How to Start Building Your Belviq Lawsuit
Thankfully, there are things you can do right away. Start gathering evidence of your losses. That includes:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Medication receipts
- Doctor diagnoses and notes
- Records of missed workdays
- Notes on your physical and emotional well-being
You might also be entitled to punitive damages. These damages seek to punish the at-fault party and stop future wrongdoing. Punitive damages are relatively common in drug lawsuits.
Your lawyer will use your documents to calculate your total damages. Then, they will help you build a strong case for the highest compensation possible. You might be entitled to a settlement or an award in court.
What to Know About the Belviq Study
Belviq and Belviq XR are weight-loss drugs with the chemical name lorcaserin. The FDA approved Belviq for obese and overweight patients with weight-related conditions.
The FDA approved Belviq for the U.S. market in 2013. However, the FDA required the manufacturer to conduct a clinical trial.
- The trial involved about 12,000 patients. It occurred over five years.
- Researchers randomly gave participants Belviq or a placebo.
- The tests looked at any heart-related conditions from using the drug.
- Instead of heart-related issues, the results showed a higher cancer rate in the group taking Belviq.
Of the Belviq group, 7.7% developed cancer during the trial. In the placebo group, 7.1% developed cancer.
The FDA decided that the drug’s risks outweighed its benefits. It asked the drug’s manufacturer to withdraw it from the market. The FDA also advised everyone to stop taking the medication and dispose of it.
Other Belviq Risks
Belviq had many side effects before removal from the market. Common side effects included the following:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Cough
More severe side effects could include heart valve issues, Serotonin Syndrome, painful erections, depression, suicidal thoughts, and low blood sugar in diabetes patients.
Get a Free Consultation with an Experienced Belviq Lawyer Today
If you developed cancer after taking Belviq, don’t wait to take action. You might have limited time to file your case. Our Belviq lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help.
We do not charge a fee unless we win you money. You can contact and work with us at no risk. To schedule a FREE consultation, contact us online today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
