Since May 2018, individuals, who took the HIV prevention medication, Truvada, have been coming forward with complaints related to bone, kidney, and liver damage injuries. The drug’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc., knew that it was unsafe yet sold it to the public for more than fifteen years. Tenofovir, Truvada’s active ingredient, is causing kidney failure, osteoporosis, and lactic acidosis in patients, who were taking it as prescribed.
If left undiagnosed or untreated, the injuries caused by Truvada and other tenofovir drugs can be massively life-changing, or even result in death. Compensation is available to Truvada victims or their loved ones. However, there are time limits that affect your ability to file a claim, which means that you will find it helpful to explore your options sooner versus later.
Speaking with a New Orleans drug injury attorney can help you understand what types of legal redress available for your financial, physical, and emotional losses.
Schedule a Visit with Your Physician
Individuals, who took Truvada, should visit their doctor as soon as possible. If you haven’t taken this step yet, speaking with your primary care provider (PCP) is the only way to tell if your bone, kidneys, or liver sustained harm.
He or she can run the proper diagnostic work to determine if you have any of the following conditions:
- Kidney damage
- Kidney failure
- Osteoporosis
- Fanconi’s syndrome
- Liver damage
- Liver failure
- Lactic acidosis
While there are other health problems associated with tenofovir drugs, like Truvada, your doctor will know for what signs he or she should be looking. More importantly, you can begin treating your injuries and change medications to mitigate further damage. Your doctor might also provide you with possible causes as well as your future prognosis.
Understand Your Legal Rights
Filing a Truvada lawsuit falls under the defective product arm of personal injury law. Therefore, a claim that meets the elements of being actionable allows you to file a claim for compensation in civil court. It also requires you to follow specific rules of civil procedure as you seek redress
A Truvada lawsuit is an actionable claim if it meets the following four elements:
- You sustained injuries that caused you financial losses
- The product you used was defective
- The defective product caused your injuries
- You used the product as prescribed
As you can see, Truvada and tenofovir drugs meet the defective product requirements, since the company knew that Truvada was unsafe as early as 2001. You have rights to file a claim for compensation under these terms.
However, the only way to be sure that you have a claim is by taking your potential case to a New Orleans defective product attorney. Compiling a few critical pieces of information before scheduling a consultation is helpful.
Begin Documenting Your Injuries
Documenting your injuries and gathering medical bills, at this stage, is the foundational step in understanding your total financial, physical, and emotional losses. You can use this information to provide a New Orleans defective product attorney more insight into the issues you are currently facing.
This aspect of understanding your options doesn’t have to be extensive, but it does help if you assemble the following in a safe location:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Insurance information
- Your personal account
By having this information available, you can help paint a more accurate picture regarding the details of your case. After completing this step, you should schedule a consultation with a New Orleans defective product attorney, who offers a free consultation. Doing so will provide you with a better understanding of the options available to you or your loved one.
Get a Consultation with a New Orleans Defective Product Attorney
Contacting a New Orleans drug injury attorney is the most practical method for determining if your claim is actionable in civil court for compensation. He or she can analyze the details of your claim and determine the most advantageous course of action given the situation.
Due to the highly complex and technical aspects of a Truvada lawsuit, you may find that working with a firm that focuses on personal injury to be accommodating. Firms that center their practices on personal injury law have deep subject-matter expertise and experience when dealing with the sensitive issues that surround these types of cases.
If you decide to hire one, their team of legal professionals can negotiate or litigate, if necessary, your case in the following ways:
- Respond to opposing party communications
- Deal with insurance adjusters
- Provide you with counsel and guidance
- Effectively argue your case in civil court
- Document your injuries and ongoing expenses
Also, you may also find a personal injury lawyer that works on a contingency fee agreement. A contingency fee agreement works by forgoing the traditional retainer in favor of a more flexible approach.
Instead of asking for money upfront, you do not pay him or her anything unless you win your case and recover a financial award. Discussing the details of your claim with a personal injury lawyer can help you determine if your case qualifies for this arrangement.
File a Claim for Your Financial and Emotional Losses
Upon signing a letter of agreement with your New Orleans defective product attorney, he or she will begin working on your case for compensation related to your injuries.
He or she will observe your situation as it unfolds while spotting opportunities to recuperate money for your losses, including:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical bills
- Lost wages and benefits at work
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death
- And more
If the drug company rejects your offer, then the pre-trial litigation phase begins in civil court. Your attorney will prepare a formal petition and fight for your rights to compensation at that level, if necessary.
Call Allan Berger & Associates for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved sustained harm after taking Truvada or tenofovir drugs, Allan Berger & Associates invites you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation with our legal team.
Our compassionate and experienced New Orleans drug injury attorneys are prepared to help you understand your options. Request yours today by calling 504-526-2222 or submitting our contact form.
