Humira Lawsuits

Adalimumab, better known by its brand name “Humira”, is a type of pharmaceutical drug that is prescribed to treat medical conditions that cause inflammation. Some of the conditions that Humira and other Adalimumab-based drugs are frequently prescribed to treat include arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, and other autoimmune medical conditions.

The way Humira works is by blocking certain physical reactions that lead to inflammation, which is a common symptom of many auto-immune diseases.

Since 2018, Humira has been listed as one of the world’s top-selling pharmaceutical drugs. Despite this fact, it has also been linked to various harmful effects and reactions, some of which are life-threatening or even fatal.

Are There Any Dangers or Injuries Associated with Humira?

As discussed above, Humira has been linked to many harmful effects and reactions. Since the drug works by suppressing certain immune system functions, one of the greatest risks associated with the drug is infection.

Another way that Humira can cause harm is by reactivating certain medical conditions. For instance, a person who currently has or had a tuberculosis condition may risk aggravating or reactivating it if they take Humira. The reason as to why prior infections can be reactivated is due to the body’s inability to counteract symptoms through standard immune system functioning.

In addition, Humira may also cause new infections to occur, some of which have reportedly been fatal. Thus, it is very important that a patient informs their doctor about any previous illnesses and all medical conditions before using Humira. Other injuries and/or dangers that have been associated with the drug include:

• Liver disorders;
• Cardiac issues;
• Increased risk of cancer, especially solid tissue cancers; and
• Various other immune-disorders (e.g., lupus).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) is aware that Adalimumab is a dangerous drug that carries risks for potentially life-threatening side effects. As such, the FDA has issued a black box warning, which requires informational packaging inserts to be included with the products. The warning also requires that doctors are provided with special instructions as well regarding screening of their patients before they can prescribe the drug.

What If I Have Been Injured through the Use of Humira?

Generally speaking, product safety laws are responsible for regulating the manufacturing and distribution of Humira and many other prescription drugs.

In the event that an individual has been harmed through the use of Humira, it may be possible for them to recover damages for any injuries that resulted from the drug. This is especially true if issues, such as product defects, are involved like in the following situations:

• Where special warnings were not included on and/or in the packaging of the drug;
• If the drug had a manufacturing defect (e.g., a batch was tainted, etc.); or
• If a harmful side effect was not made known to the public.

In addition, medical malpractice claims can also result. This can happen in cases where a physician is found to be negligent in administering Humira, such as prescribing incorrect amounts or prescribing additional medications that cause negative reactions when combined with Humira.

Both now and in the past, people have been filing lawsuits against Humira to recover damages for the harm it has caused. Since so many people have suffered injuries from the negative reactions it can sometimes cause, many of the prior cases have been consolidated into a Humira class action lawsuit.

The most common type of damages award that a plaintiff to a class action will receive is compensatory damages. It should be noted that plaintiffs to a class action must split the final award. Also, depending on the case, plaintiffs like the ones to an old Humira class action were able to argue for stricter warning labels and special notices to physicians as part of their remedies.

Lastly, if a plaintiff has a serious claim that is not included in the class action lawsuit and only affects them personally, then they may also be able to bring a separate case to recover individual compensatory damages.

Should I Hire a Lawyer for Help with a Humira Lawsuit?

Constant advertising has turned Humira into a household name. It is often prescribed by doctors for medical conditions that cause inflammation and thus is widely used by patients. However, the drug also causes some potentially severe side effects. Therefore, if you have been injured by Humira or another type of prescription drug, then you should contact a local class action attorney as soon as possible.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand relevant product liability laws and discuss what type of claim you may be able to bring against a company. Also, if you decide to file a lawsuit to collect damages, your attorney can assist you with this process and provide representation in court on your behalf as well.