Florida Belviq Attorney
Belviq is a weight loss drug approved to treat obesity and related medical conditions in 2012, but more recent concerns prompted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action in January 2020. According to researchers, use of the drug has been linked to different types of cancer among patients that were prescribed Belviq, the brand name for lorcaserin. The manufacturer withdrew the product from the market at the request of the FDA, but numerous lawsuits filed by patients who developed cancer are still in early stages of litigation.
Therefore, time is of the essence to retain experienced legal counsel if you took Belviq and thereafter were diagnosed with cancer. You may be entitled to receive compensation, and our skilled attorneys at Halpern Santos & Pinkert, P.A. can assist with the process. Please contact us to set up a no-cost consultation with a Florida Belviq attorney, and read on for some important information about your rights.
Harm Caused by Taking Belviq
The FDA approved Belviq to counteract the effects of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other weight-related medical conditions. As a condition, the manufacturer was required to conduct a study on how the drug affects the cardiovascular system. Through these trials, researchers discovered that a disproportionately high number of individuals developed:
- Pancreatic cancer;
- Colorectal cancer; and,
- Lung cancer.
The losses can be devastating for those who developed these cancers as a result of taking Belviq. The most effective approach for treatment includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and other dangerous, invasive measures. Pancreatic cancer, in particular, is considered incurable by experts. Therefore, family members who survive the victim can also suffer extensive losses.
You May Be Entitled to Compensation if You Were Harmed
Whenever a dangerous, defective drug causes injury, an individual may be able to obtain monetary damages for the losses he or she sustains. The key is being able to prove that the harm was directly caused by an error in manufacturing, misrepresentations in marketing, a failure to warn of side effects, or other issues. In a claim for Belviq, there are some specific legal requirements you must meet to qualify for compensation. Our lawyers at Halpern Santos & Pinkert, P.A. can explain in more detail, but keep in mind that:
- Only those who took Belviq for six months or more can seek damages, though this time period does not need to be consecutive.
- Your cancer diagnosis must have occurred within seven years of taking Belviq.
- Cancers of the lung, pancreas, or colon must have originated in the relevant organ. If the condition spread from another part of the body, there is no causal link between cancer and taking Belviq.
A Florida Belviq Attorney Can Advise You on Your Rights and Remedies
If you developed cancer after taking Belviq for obesity or related medical conditions, please contact Halpern Santos & Pinkert, P.A. right away. You can call 305-445-1111 or complete an online form to arrange a free initial consultation at our offices in Coral Gables, FL. Once we learn more about your circumstances, we can explain your legal options for recovering monetary damages.
