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Virginia Vioxx Lawyer

Call (888) 471-5989 to speak with a personal injury attorney.

In 2004, the medical community and its patients were given a good shake, as pharmaceutical giant Merck voluntarily recalled the amazingly popular prescription painkiller, Vioxx. People soon learned that the drug, intended to alleviate aches and pains caused by arthritis and menstruation, also put them at an increased risk of developing potentially fatal cardiovascular problems such as blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

This was a real shock, as Vioxx was hailed as a miracle drug of sorts. Not only did it make chronic, acute pain disappear, but it also did not seem to come with the usual side effects associated with similar pain killers. Other painkillers provided patients relief only in exchange for gastric problems, making them hardly ideal. So when Vioxx came along and promised to take away the pain without harming the stomach, doctors and their patients were welcoming. 80 million people were prescribed Vioxx over the four-year stint that it was available.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vioxx in 1999, but a few years later, additional independent clinical studies were needed to test the safety of the product. The findings were troubling: those who took Vioxx were twice as likely to encounter dangerous cardiovascular diseases than those who took a placebo. Merck was given more than a handful of warnings about the health risks of Vioxx, but it wasn't until 2004 that the company took the unsafe product out of drugstores.

A Vioxx lawyer may play a significant role in this situation. According to product liability laws, it is unlawful for a manufacturer to sell a defective product or deceptively advertise a product. Merck made more than two billion dollars from sales of Vioxx and did not inform its customers of the risks they were taking. A Vioxx attorney knows all about product liability and how Merck and Vioxx specifically factor into it. He or she is ready to hold the company accountable for its actions. However, it is important to seek out a lawyer quickly and file your claim soon. Statute of limitations laws of Virginia state that product liability and personal injury claims must be made within two years. There are some exceptions to this law however. For example, if you have taken Vioxx, but do not notice the adverse side effects until later, you may be still eligible for compensation under the Discovery Rule, which affirms that a claim must be made within this time frame after the discovery of the injury. Nevertheless, time is an important constraint, and action must now be taken to safeguard you claim.

If you took Vioxx over a long period of time, and you have unanticipated cardiovascular side effects, it is vital that you make an appointment to see your doctor right away. Your next step should be to talk to a Vioxx attorney. Since 2005, thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the pharmaceutical giant, and if Vioxx has harmed you, you deserve financial compensation for this pain and suffering.

Merck is still under the watchful eyes of citizens and authorities, as there are questions about whether or not Merck intentionally hid the dangers of Vioxx from the public. If Merck is convicted of public negligence, you may be entitled to compensation beyond the costs of hospitalization, medical bills, and lost wages. Instead, you are likely to receive a sum that is equal to the emotional distress suffered from this incident.

You may be tempted to shy away from a lawsuit, but the only way to seek justice is in a court setting. A Vioxx attorney can tell you everything you need to know and be with you every step of the way, as you hold responsible parties liable for all actions. So talk to your doctor and a Vioxx attorney today, and get moving in the right direction. You may have been wronged before, but now is your chance to correct the situation.