As of June 2018, there are 1,188 pending Abilify lawsuits in multidistrict and state courts.
The suits accuse the drug’s manufacturers, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. and Bristol-Myers Squibb of their negligence in creating a drug that causes harmful compulsive behaviors, such as binge eating, hypersexuality and urges to shoplift.
If you’re among the affected users of Abilify, you’re certainly considering suing the pharmaceuticals. But how do you take on multi-billion dollar companies? They have the financial resources to hire the best legal team in the world to tackle you head on.
Worry no more!
In this article, we’re telling you how to find a personal injury attorney to take on the pharmaceutical giants.
Go for Pharmaceutical Law Specialization
Because there are various types of personal injuries, it’s not enough to hire personal injury lawyer just because they say they defend people who have sustained personal injuries.
Focus on finding a lawyer with an intricate understanding of pharmaceutical law. Ideally, you need a professional with a master’s degree in this field.
This will give significantly increase your chances of defeating the pharmaceutical giants, since a specialist pharmaceutical lawyer will be able to competently pick out flaws in the drug.
Be sure to create a list of about 3-5 lawyers with a pharmaceutical law specialization. And how do you find them? See the next step!
Do an Online Search
In the digital age, everything begins with an online search.
Use your favorite search engine and enter search terms such as “pharmaceutical lawyer” “pharmaceutical injury lawyer” “personal injury lawyer with pharmaceutical specialization.”
The search engine will bring up results of the websites and reviews of the top-ranking pharmaceutical injury lawyers near you, assuming your device’s location is turned on.
Once you have the results, click on their websites and write down their names and contact details.
It’s important to note that appearing on the first page of search engine results doesn’t necessarily mean the lawyers are the most competent. It simply means they know a thing or two about search engine optimization, too!
Get Recommendations from People You Know
Your friends, relatives, and associates are usually a reliable source of information.
Especially if you know some people who work in the pharmaceutical or legal industries, don’t fail to get their recommendations. Chances are good they know a lawyer who focuses on pharmaceutical injury cases. If they believe a lawyer is competent and reliable, you’ll get his or her name and contact details without hesitation. Add to your list.
Other potential places to find a lawyer to take on the pharmaceutical giants include legal magazines and newsletters.
Experience Is Paramount
Quick question: Between a newly qualified Harvard lawyer and a very experienced lawyer from a second-rate law school, who would you choose?
Well, it really depends on what’s at stake.
If you’re in a case you can afford to lose or without any harsh consequences, a good number of people will be tempted to hire the Harvard-educated lawyer. However, when stakes are high, like when you need to defeat a pharmaceutical giant, experience comes first. As much as a good education is important, it’s courtroom experience that gives lawyers an edge; the ability to think quickly and launch immediate counter-arguments.
In this case, you need a lawyer who has litigated several cases involving pharmaceutical giants. Such a lawyer has the confidence to take the game to the pharmaceutical companies’ powerful legal teams.
How do you know a lawyer has the kind of experience you’re looking for? Simply ask!
If a lawyer has litigated a high-profile case, it’s likely to have been on the news. Go online and see whether you can find any mention of it. If there is, find an analysis of the case and expert reviews of the lawyer’s performance.
Besides experience, you want to look at the win ratio.
How many cases has each of the lawyers won? What’s the amount of money the cases were awarded in the settlement?
Settling on a personal injury lawyer with a good win percentage gives your case a strong chance of succeeding.
Consider Professional Reputation
Cases involving monetary settlements can be very tricky.
There are corrupt lawyers who collude with defense lawyers to reach a certain settlement, and in doing so, such lawyers fail to protect the interests of their clients.
As such, you need to consider the professional reputation of the lawyers on your list. This is where online reviews come in handy.
Check online and find whether there are any negative comments about your preferred lawyer? Have they swindled a client before? Did they drop a case without any justifiable reason?
Ultimately, you want a lawyer who will fight for you all the way, and defend your interests until the case reaches a conclusion. You’re already dealing with harmful Abilify injuries, the last thing you need is a corrupt lawyer.
Not ready to do the digging? Check this website to find a reputable, experienced personal injury lawyer.
Find a Personal Injury Attorney: Have Your Pick
As much as pharmaceutical companies play an important role in promoting the health and wellness of millions of people, they’re also in the business of making money. But due to negligence or greed or both, some end up making drugs that are harmful to consumers.
When you take such a drug and get injured, it’s time to find a good personal injury lawyer to get the pharmaceutical giants to pay up for the damages.
Lucky for you, we have given you the information you need to find a personal injury attorney who will give you the best chance of winning the case.
Need more legal tips? Explore our consumer resources.