Levaquin (Levofloxacin) is an antibiotic drug, usually prescribed to treat the symptoms of bacterial infections. The drug was the most common type of fluoroquinolone antibiotics prescribed in the United States. If you have suffered a bacterial infection between the years of 1996 and 2017, there is a great chance that you may have been prescribed this drug. However, it has frequently become apparent that some people who had previously taken Levaquin are now suffering some serious side effects.
Levaquin can cause permanent nerve damage, also known as peripheral neuropathy. This nerve damage can cause a person to suffer an immense amount of pain, impair their muscle movement, and even prevent normal sensation in their legs and arms.
If you or someone you know have suffered symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in Fort Myers after taking Levaquin, you should be seeking the help of a reputable law firm. At The Law Place, we understand how difficult this situation can be for those who have been negatively affected by Levaquin. We operate across Florida and have 75 years of combined experience in helping our clients win the justice that they deserve.
If you think you may have a case, contact us today for a free case evaluation. Call us at (941) 444-4444.
Fluoroquinolone Drugs
In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted the public about the warning that some antibiotics, specifically fluoroquinolone drugs, may have serious side effects. The warning was made clear by the FDA that they could cause permanent nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy.
Fluoroquinolones, including Levaquin, started to be prescribed to Americans in the 1980s. They were often used to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections. It had found that in 2011 that over 23 million Americans were prescribed a form of these drugs, despite there being safer options available.
Side Effects of Taking Levaquin
A person who takes Levaquin will usually notice symptoms of peripheral neuropathy within a few days of taking the drug if they are to suffer the side effect. The FDA reported in 2013 that age or duration of treatment is not related to the chance of someone suffering nerve damage as the result of taking the drug. This is what makes Levaquin particularly dangerous.
The symptoms of sensory nerve damage include:
- Poor reflexes.
- Loss of coordination.
- Losses of sensation.
- Sudden pains or temperature.
- Severe touch sensitivity.
Levaquin can also affect motor nerves. When these nerves are damaged, a person may experience:
- Atrophy.
- Weakness.
- Muscle cramps.
- Muscle weakness.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Who Produces Levaquin?
Levaquin is produced by a company called Johnson and Johnson, known as Ortho-McNeill-Janssen Pharmaceuticals. It is shocking to note that Ortho-McNeill-Janssen Pharmaceuticals were aware of the danger of this drug, and yet they chose to prioritize profits over the wellbeing of their consumers. The company was aware of reports of peripheral neuropathy even before Levaquin received FDA approval in 1996.
This is simply unacceptable. The Law Place can offer you a free case review if you have been negatively affected by this drug. We can help you win the justice that you are entitled to and the compensation you deserve.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience Do Pharmacists Still Prescribe Levaquin?
The production of Levaquin began to be discontinued in 2017 by Johnson and Johnson, although it was still available to pharmacies until 2020.
There are multiple other fluoroquinolone drugs that are still being prescribed and causing severe issues for people in Florida. Unfortunately, these drugs are still being prescribed despite the warnings that they can cause nerve damage.
At The Law Place, we believe that this is blatant negligence. If you or someone you know have suffered negatively as the result of taking these antibacterial drugs, do not hesitate to contact us for a free case review. Our personal injury lawyers will fight for your case and your right to receive compensation for your suffering.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. Determining Liability in Your Nerve Damage Case
If a personal injury lawyer can prove that a pharmaceutical company has prioritized its profits over the health of its consumers and sold a drug, knowing that it can cause peripheral neuropathy, they can be held liable.
Previous lawsuits filed against the manufacturers of Levaquin have claimed that:
- The company was aware of the drug being possibly dangerous and yet failed to sufficiently warn doctors and/ or the general public.
- The company was aware of and hid the dangers of the drug, misleading doctors, and the public.
- The company downplayed the severity of the drug’s dangers, and instead persistently encouraged the benefits of the drug.
If a lawyer at The Law Place can find a company, such as Johnson and Johnson, liable for your suffering and peripheral neuropathy, you may be entitled to compensation. We can help victims recover damages for any lost wages and medical expenses they have had to face, as well as sufficient reimbursement for the reduction of quality of life.
We understand that no amount of compensation will ever take away the pain and trauma you have suffered, but we would like to ease some of your financial stresses and win you the justice that you deserve.
Contact The Law Place Today!
If you or someone you know has suffered nerve damage in Fort Myers following the consumption of the antibiotic Levaquin, contact us today. Our attorneys are extremely dedicated to their clients and will fight to the best of their ability so that you can receive the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve.
We understand how difficult it can be to suffer nerve damage through no fault of your own. Our skilled attorneys will be able to ease you from some of the stresses and burdens you may be facing by handling all of the paperwork and negotiations with insurance and pharmaceutical companies on your behalf.
For a free case evaluation, contact us today. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call us at (941) 444-4444.
