There are numerous drugs intended to help sick people deal with their mental illnesses. These drugs behave in different ways, whether as anticonvulsants or antipsychotics. The problems usually arise when manufacturers do not properly test their drugs or claim that the medication has more effects than it actually does. Side effects are also common in drugs, and some are more debilitating than others. Abilify is one such drug that has been shown to have extremely negative side effects and has had them since its inception in 2002. For nearly twenty years, Abilify has been linked to a sudden onset of compulsive disorders, and victims are able to receive compensation for their damages. Our team of lawyers at Kenmore Law Group promises to help all who are in need of filing lawsuits against Bristol-Myers Squibb, the company that manufactures Abilify. An attorney in Los Angeles, CA, will be available to assist you. Often, we are asked questions about the average payout for Abilify drug lawsuit cases; some of these questions include:
- What are some Abilify lawsuit settlement amounts in 2017?
- What are examples of Abilify lawsuit settlements in 2018?
- How much is an Abilify case worth?
- How much can I get in my Abilify case?
- What are some Abilify lawsuit settlement amounts?
Abilify Information
Abilify is a mood stabilizer drug that is intended to help treat mental and mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, Tourette’s disorder, and effects of autism disorder. The drug seeks to balance dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain in an attempt to neutralize and normalize the mood. It can help reduce the highs and manic states some individuals suffer through, as well as raise up the lows and depressive episodes that accompany these troubles.
Bristol-Myers Squibb manufactured the drug and it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. Later, studies began to show that the reward system in the brain was becoming over-stimulated by usage of the drug. This began to lead to adverse mental side effects, some of which were not listed anywhere.
If you found that you were negatively affected by the drugs, call an attorney for victims of Abilify side effect cases.
Side Effects of Abilify and Results
Abilify, like most drugs, has numerous side effects that can occur. Not everyone will experience the same side effects, and some may be more severely impacted than others. These side effects are often disclosed on the packaging or in marketing campaigns, some of which include:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Excess saliva or drooling
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping
However, there were also side effects that were not disclosed by Bristol-Myers Squibb. The company did not notify doctors of any additional issues, and the awareness of the effects only became known once the FDA was aware of studies showing links between Abilify and other mental disorders or adverse actions. In many cases, most of the individuals affected by the following issues had no prior history of similar behaviors. Some of the undisclosed side effects include:
- Compulsive spending
- Compulsive gambling
- Compulsive eating, excessive weight gain
- Hypersexuality
- Stealing
- Suicidal thoughts
In recent years, the FDA mandated that Abilify must include these side effects on its label so that consumers will have ample warning of the dangers of using the medication. Notably, these behaviors began to lessen or disappear entirely when users took a smaller dosage or fewer ingestions.
Gambling and compulsive spending can rack up personal debt, forcing you to file for bankruptcy, foreclose on your home, suffer the repossession of your vehicle, and more. Many times, the social effects of compulsive gambling and spending lead to isolation, divorce, emotional trauma, depression, and other negative states.
Because of the extreme damages that can arise from these side effects, the value of Abilify side effect case may be very high if you committed these actions. Such a case will be worthless if you do not experience any issues or behave in a damaging manner, but your case could be worth more if you suffer numerous problems.
Filing a Lawsuit against the Manufacturer
Dangerous drug lawsuits can be filed against the manufacturer of the medication. People sometimes believe that the correct course of action is to sue the doctor for medical malpractice, but that is not the case. The manufacturer likely knew there was a chance for these side effects to pop up and continued to push the product. Further, there were no adequate warnings present on the label to alert people to the possible side effects of taking the medication. In some cases, you may be able to join a class action lawsuit, wherein a group of plaintiffs collectively sue one entity. The pharmaceutical industry is extremely wealthy, but the goal is to help those who have been negatively affected and to secure fair settlements.
As such, you have two years from the date of the injuries or incident to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of a dangerous drug. This is to ensure that all claims are swiftly handled and are not left unsettled for too long. The amount of evidence may drop and the witnesses may not have accurate recollections of the event and circumstances. Further, you may not have experienced any lasting effects, which would hurt your chances of winning a claim. The longer you wait to file a claim, the lower your case worth may be.
Sample Settlements
Although no Abilify lawsuit settlements have been publicly disclosed, there are some examples of what the manufacturer has had to pay to other entities besides single parties. These sample Abilify side effect lawsuit settlements are not meant to guarantee what you will earn if you pursue legal action but instead are meant to show you what may possibly be earned. You should use them as a benchmark and learning tool to understand the average compensation in some instances.
Some Abilify lawsuit case settlements include:
- $515,000,000 Settlement: After illegally marketing the drug to child psychiatrists, pediatric specialists, and nursing homes, Bristol-Myers Squibb was forced to pay half a billion dollars in damages to the Federal government. Over 40 jurisdictions in the country will reap the benefits of the lawsuit.
- $19,000,000 Settlement: Bristol-Myers Squibb was made to pay a multi-million dollar settlement after it unlawfully marketed Abilify. The marketing campaign downplayed the risks of the drug and was encouraged to be used in various types of treatments for which it was not approved.
- $8,000,000 Settlement: Another drug, Mirapex, shared some of the side effects of Abilify, such as compulsive behaviors and gambling. The failure to warn people about these side effects led to a lawsuit by a man who took the drug and gambled away over a quarter of a million dollars in four years. This was the first lawsuit of its kind, and 250 more were filed in its wake; however, the settlements were not disclosed to the public.
The average settlement for Abilify lawsuits cannot be outright determined, as there are numerous factors that can be used to influence an offer.
Free Second Opinion
Many clients ask us about the average value of an Abilify lawsuit because they already have legal representation and want to make sure they are not receiving offers of less money than other victims are. If their current offers are in line with what other people receive, they are usually satisfied. However, many lawyers tend to poorly represent their clients.
Attorneys may do all they can to sign a case up, and once it is under the law firm’s care, the attorney will quickly negotiate with the insurance agency and try to secure as small a sum as possible. This is so he can move on to the next case and continue to pick up small checks for little to no effort. The insurance company is also not forced to pay out a large settlement. In the end, only the client loses.
Many attorneys are guilty of these tactics, and we are glad to look over your case and give you a free second opinion. If we believe your case is worth more than what you are being offered, we will tell you. Abilify cases can be worth a lot of money, but only with a lawyer who caters to your needs and does not place his own bank account before your compensation. If you wish to switch law firms, we will gladly sign you up.
Earnings from Your Lawsuit
By filing a product liability lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb, you can earn various types of compensation for your damages. Although the primary effects are mentally related, they may drive you to commit actions you otherwise would not, which could physically harm you. As a result, you may be able to receive coverage for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed if a family member or loved one passes away due to using the drug. In this case, you may be able to be reimbursed funeral expenses, pre-death medical bills and pain and suffering, loss of expected savings and inheritance, and more.
We can help ensure that your Abilify gambling addiction lawsuit worth is properly realized.
Kenmore Here for Victims
Our top-rated team of attorneys at Kenmore Law Group promises to help all those who have been severely harmed by Abilify side effects. We will do all we can to bring you the proper compensation and will not rest until you are satisfied with the offer. We are willing to fight for your fair damages in court if necessary, and our aggressive attorneys are here to pursue your restitution no matter what.
Call us today to receive a free consultation with an accomplished attorney. If you have any questions, we will happily answer them, and we will give you all the necessary information you need to understand your lawsuit and take proper action. By signing up with our law firm, you will also be privy to our zero fee guarantee, which states that you will never pay any out of pocket expenses for our services. We will cover all costs of the case and only get paid if we win your lawsuit, at which point the fees will be taken from the settlement we have earned for you. If we lose, however, you do not pay anything at all, and we eat the costs of the case ourselves.
For more information on the value of an Abilify gambling lawsuit, contact a qualified lawyer at Kenmore Law Group today.
