Levaquin Lawyer

A box of pharmaceutical Levaquin along with a prescription bottle

Most people who get prescriptions from their doctor to treat an illness do not expect that the drug may one day harm them. When it does happen, a feeling of hopelessness can overwhelm anyone facing life-threatening injuries.

Levaquin, an antibiotic, is a medication taken to help protect individuals from danger, not cause it. Yet, thousands of patients who take Levaquin have reported severe and often deadly side effects after taking the drug.

If you or someone you love has been injured after taking Levaquin, call Phillips Law Group today. We are one of Arizona’s largest consumer law firms and have the resources to take on powerful pharmaceutical companies. Our team of experienced attorneys will fight to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Call Phillips Law Group today at (602) 222-2222 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless you win!

What is Levaquin?

Levaquin is the brand name for levofloxacin and was created by Johnson & Johnson. It is a powerful antibiotic approved by the FDA in 1996 to help the body rid itself of bacterial infections. The World Health Organization lists Levaquin as one of the world’s most essential medicines.

The types of bacterial infections Levaquin can help treat include:

  • Pneumonia
  • Cellulitis
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Respiratory tract infections
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Traveler’s diarrhea
  • Tuberculosis
  • Prostatitis
  • Anthrax
  • Endocarditis
  • Meningitis
  • Plague

Levaquin Side Effects Linked to Major Health Risks

While Levaquin is an important drug that has saved many lives, physicians often must weigh the risks before prescribing. This medication has been found to cause many dangerous and life-threatening side effects. If you have been harmed by taking Levaquin, call Phillips Law Group right away. We would love to talk with you about your case.

According to the FDA, Levaquin is associated with a higher risk of causing severe aortic valve events. These aortic problems can increase the chances of an aneurysm or aortic dissection. Researchers found that a rise in aortic-related deaths has occurred since Levaquin was released. A connection between the drug and this potentially deadly side effect has forced the FDA to put out a black box warning.

An aortic dissection happens when there is a breakdown of the walls in the valve that allows blood to escape. This blood then moves into different layers of tissue and can cause a heart attack, stroke, and even paralysis. There is only a 50 percent chance of survival after an aortic dissection occurs, so this condition must be caught quickly.

Symptoms of aortic dissection can include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Sudden speaking problems
  • Severe chest or back pain
  • Vision loss
  • Body weakness on one side

Other Levaquin Side Effects

While aortic issues are the most dangerous side effects associated with Levaquin, there are others. Many are common and others are rare and can be severe in nature.

Other Levaquin side effects can include:

  • Retinal detachment
  • Nerve damages
  • Tendinopathy
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle aches
  • Convulsions
  • Vision problems

Another painful side effect of using Levaquin can be a tendon rupture, including the Achilles tendon. This drug was found to be toxic to tendons, which has led to a handful of lawsuits against the manufacturer. The FDA finally got around to adding a black box warning about tendon damage in 2008, but this was not fast enough. Several consumer groups asked the FDA to add the warning years earlier.

Levaquin’s Black Box Side Effects Warning

In 2008, the FDA announced the requirement for a black box warning for Levaquin and other brand names for fluoroquinolone. These antibiotics were all found to contribute to tendon injuries in unsuspecting patients.

In 2013, Levaquin and other drugs of the same class received a second black box warning label. This time, it was about the chance of patients developing permanent and disabling nerve damage. The first study that linked Levaquin with nerve damage appeared in 2001, so it took the FDA 12 years to release a warning.

The symptoms of nerve damage caused by Levaquin can include:

  • Changes in how texture and temperature are sensed
  • Decreased ability to sense how the body is positioned
  • Abnormal feelings of touch
  • Chronic nerve pain
  • Prickling and tingling
  • Pins and needles
  • Burning pain
  • Balance and coordination issues
  • Muscle weakness

What to Do If You Experience Severe Side Effects After Taking Levaquin

Over the past few decades, there have been numerous lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. Plaintiffs claimed a whole range of harmful side effects altered their lives in one way or another. As a result of these injuries, victims had a right to sue the drug’s manufacturer to receive compensation.

The list of claims made against Johnson & Johnson include:

  • Failure to warn
  • Negligence
  • Breach of warranty
  • Fraud
  • Strict liability
  • Fraudulent concealment
  • Negligent misrepresentation

If you feel any of these reasons pertain to your case, you may be entitled to compensation. The best course of action is to hire an experienced Levaquin lawsuits lawyer who can help you navigate the legal process.

Why Hire a Levaquin Lawsuits Lawyer

Winning any type of personal injury case can be complex. It can be especially difficult to win against a giant pharmaceutical company with infinite resources.

To win a case for damages, you must be able to prove certain conditions are met. These are:

  • You were injured by Levaquin
  • Levaquin was directly responsible for causing your injuries
  • The manufacturers of Levaquin or involved medical professionals acted negligently

What can make this type of case even more complicated is the fact that not all side effects happen immediately. Some problems can begin halfway through treatment or even months after you stop taking the drug. It can also be difficult to know whether your health problems were caused by this medication. Even if you are unsure, an attorney can decide whether there is enough proof to move forward with a case.

Types of Compensation You Can Receive

The types of compensation you can receive after being injured by Levaquin can vary depending on the damages caused. Your attorney will be able to come up with a fair settlement amount based on the losses you incurred.

These losses can include both economic and non-economic damages, which may be:

  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Current and future medical bills
  • Rehabilitation
  • Transportation
  • Medical supplies
  • Disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Wrongful death

Call Phillips Law Group Today to Hire a Levaquin Lawsuits Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the use of Levaquin or any other prescription drug, call Phillips Law Group right away. We understand the difficult situation you have been put in due to someone else’s negligence. You do not have to sit in silence while giant pharmaceutical companies get away with not doing right by their customers.

Our firm has been around for over 26 years. In that time, we have helped our clients win over $1 billion in settlements. This success has allowed us to grow into becoming one of Arizona’s largest consumer law firms. We have a reputation for fighting hard to defend our clients against negligent companies that hurt them.

You do not have to fight the battle alone. Call Phillips Law Group today at (602) 222-2222. Our team is standing by 24/7 for a free consultation. There is no fee for our services unless you win.