Poll: Should I sue?

[SonicWaffle]

So, today my girlfriend alerted me to a recall of a medicine called Accutane, also known as Isotretinoin - link here, apologies for the fact it's a "how to claim" site but they're filling up Google currently;

http://www.accutaneclaimcenter.org/

It's common usage is for the treatment of severe acne. I took the medicine for over three months last year, before I had to stop due to developing Ulcerative Colitis. If you don't know what that is, check wikipedia, but if you want to avoid throwing up then don't look at the picture.

Boiled down to the basics, bowel ulcers. Crapping blood, constant pain, never being able to go more than five minutes away from a toilet...not fun. I also had to undergo two colonoscopies, they involve putting a camera somewhere that a camera should never go which frankly causes a lot of distress. After stopping taking the drug and starting an intensive course of anti-inflammatories, steroids (to counter the side effects of the anti-inflammatories) and calcium tablets (to counter the side effects of the steroids) the UC cleared up, and at my final outpatients appointment the doctor told me that I didn't actually have Ulcerative Colitis; that I had merely had a bad reaction to the Isotretinoin. Unfortunately, in the three weeks or so since I stopped taking the medication, the UC has resurfaced and is making life very unpleasant again.

Now, I'm in somewhat of a dilemma. My girlfriend, family and friends are encouraging me to try and get some compensation. However, ever since I first saw the South Park episode with Sexual Harassment Panda I've held dear his latter motto, that "frivolous lawsuits damage society". On the one hand, I really don't want to be the kind of guy who sues people. On the other, there is a chance that I'll be shitting blood for the rest of my life.

What do I do? Does this count as a frivolous lawsuit or do you guys think I'm entitled to something?

 

[Cherry Cola]

Get a second opinion first. Have another doctor look into it. If he says that the other doctor has done something wrong that has resulted in this not going away, or in fact being the reason as to why it happened, then sue.

However, there is a possibility that you can be blamed for it all, and so I suggest that you do heavy research on the matter before even thinking about suing.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

This is a fairly legitimate claim to envoke a trial i say go for it just don't go demanding too much money though

 

[SonicWaffle]

Get a second opinion first. Have another doctor look into it. If he says that the other doctor has done something wrong that has resulted in this not going away, or in fact being the reason as to why it happened, then sue.

However, there is a possibility that you can be blamed for it all, and so I suggest that you do heavy research on the matter before even thinking about suing.

I'm working on it, but it seems like the local hospitals are shut down. Nobody is answering phones. Possibly the start of the zombie apocalypse, or they're just winding down for Easter.

I don't really see how this could turn out to be my fault; I was prescribed a product which, according to the sites I've read, health practicioners have known was unsafe for roughly 4 years. I was never made aware of the dangers until after I was diagnosed.

 

[SNIPERFOX ft. Harry P.Ness]

try google some natural treatments not drugs but, dont sue.but take a small dose of the medciation.try find a pro docter like a buddhist one. one of them cured a samll pain in my gut that caused me a lot of diarrhea, gon off my food, and can barely move.

 

[Grayjack]

I say yes. You could easily sue. On another note, those pictures are disgusting and cool.

 

[Dyp100]

Well, they'd caused you to be seriously ill, and possibly be for the rest of your life...Sooo...

SUE THEM, SUE THEM FOR ALL YOUR WORTH. D:<

But really, you should sue them. They've caused serious body damage, and money is worthless compared to the health of a person, you deserve something for being hurt so badly.

 

[mokes310]

Wow, sorry for your awful situation. I would consult another doctor as well as legal counsel before going any further.

Remember, it's not a frivelous lawsuit if YOU were injured/affected adversely.

 

[Brackev]

Report that you are unable to work and they should pay disability benifits to you plus some money for pain and suffering. Sue the manufacturer first, then your doctor.

 

[pffh]

Do they state that this can happen in the side effect list? If no then yes sue if yes then:
Talk to a pharmacist (should be free and available in every pharmacy) and/or a doctor and try to figure out why you had the bad reaction and from there decide if you have ground for a lawsuit since usually if it's in the side effects list then you won't win.

And to prevent anything like that from happening again ALWAYS talk to a pharmacist before taking a new drug to see if it functions weirdly with any other drug or ointment or whatever you're already taking.

Also:

try google some natural treatments not drugs but, dont sue.but take a small dose of the medciation.try find a pro docter like a buddhist one. one of them cured a samll pain in my gut that caused me a lot of diarrhea, gon off my food, and can barely move.

Don't do that, if there is one thing I hate then that's homeopathic "medicine" since that's just bullshit and anytime it "works" it's only because of the placebo effect.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Get a second opinion first. Have another doctor look into it. If he says that the other doctor has done something wrong that has resulted in this not going away, or in fact being the reason as to why it happened, then sue.

However, there is a possibility that you can be blamed for it all, and so I suggest that you do heavy research on the matter before even thinking about suing.

I'm working on it, but it seems like the local hospitals are shut down. Nobody is answering phones. Possibly the start of the zombie apocalypse, or they're just winding down for Easter.

I don't really see how this could turn out to be my fault; I was prescribed a product which, according to the sites I've read, health practicioners have known was unsafe for roughly 4 years. I was never made aware of the dangers until after I was diagnosed.

If you weren't informed of any risks, then you can't be blamed for anything.

Go kick some ass in cort

[sub]At least after the second opinion[/sub]

Don't forget to buy us all some candy after you win.

 

[DazZ.]

They tried to help you, they didn't purposefully make you ill.

Don't be a dick and sue people when they were trying to help you, even if they did get it wrong.

 

[Eldarion]

Get a second opinion first. Have another doctor look into it. If he says that the other doctor has done something wrong that has resulted in this not going away, or in fact being the reason as to why it happened, then sue.

However, there is a possibility that you can be blamed for it all, and so I suggest that you do heavy research on the matter before even thinking about suing.

I'm working on it, but it seems like the local hospitals are shut down. Nobody is answering phones. Possibly the start of the zombie apocalypse, or they're just winding down for Easter.

I don't really see how this could turn out to be my fault; I was prescribed a product which, according to the sites I've read, health practicioners have known was unsafe for roughly 4 years. I was never made aware of the dangers until after I was diagnosed.

Then you do in fact have a legitimate case.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

It sounds like you have a legitimate case, at least legitimate enough that you should consult a lawyer.

Remember, seeking compensation isn't "frivolous" if actual physical harm was incurred, it's only frivolous if you're taking advantage of the law to try to make money, that damages society.

 

[SomeUnregPunk]

talk to a legal counsel, who will probably ask to get the two or three different medical opinions before you try to sue.

You may not win the case but the pharmaceutical company that makes the drug will probably settle with you. Most pharm companies keep a stock of cash set aside in case the small percentage of people that gets hurt by the drug decides to attack them legally.

You will certainly get the money but it depends on you getting other medical opinions first and good legal aid. Good luck.

 

[SonicWaffle]

Don't forget to buy us all some candy after you win.

Candy for all, and high fives for the chosen few!

 

[Daystar Clarion]

They tried to help you, they didn't purposefully make you ill.

Don't be a dick and sue people when they were trying to help you, even if they did get it wrong.

I thought that too, and I'm a 3rd year law student. It's morally questionable to run around sueing doctors who genuinely tried to help you. Especially if it's the NHS which is payed by the British tax payer. You'd be damaging the service, stretching their already stretched resourses which will stress the doctors, who will make more mistakes. It's a vicious cycle.

 

[pffh]

Get a second opinion first. Have another doctor look into it. If he says that the other doctor has done something wrong that has resulted in this not going away, or in fact being the reason as to why it happened, then sue.

However, there is a possibility that you can be blamed for it all, and so I suggest that you do heavy research on the matter before even thinking about suing.

I'm working on it, but it seems like the local hospitals are shut down. Nobody is answering phones. Possibly the start of the zombie apocalypse, or they're just winding down for Easter.

I don't really see how this could turn out to be my fault; I was prescribed a product which, according to the sites I've read, health practicioners have known was unsafe for roughly 4 years. I was never made aware of the dangers until after I was diagnosed.

Well the fact is in some cases you're expected to read the pamphlet that comes with drugs so again if one of the stated side effects is this then you most likely have no case.

And I can't say this often enough. Everyone should talk to a pharmacist before taking a new drug. I don't care how "safe" or "weak" or "over the counter" the drug is. The fact is drugs can have dangerous side effects when taken with other drugs.

Example would be a natural herbal balm that's sold in many pharmacies that reduces the effectiveness of many birth control pills.

 

[CloggedDonkey]

Get a second opinion first. Have another doctor look into it. If he says that the other doctor has done something wrong that has resulted in this not going away, or in fact being the reason as to why it happened, then sue.

However, there is a possibility that you can be blamed for it all, and so I suggest that you do heavy research on the matter before even thinking about suing.

I'm working on it, but it seems like the local hospitals are shut down. Nobody is answering phones. Possibly the start of the zombie apocalypse, or they're just winding down for Easter

this fall, Jesus rises again to absolve... your brains!
sorry, just had to say that

anyway, I would say do some research and see if anyone else has had similar experiences. is there are other things like it, then there is a good chance that it is a known defect in the product, or at least a problem that needs to be brought to light.

 

[Boober the Pig]

It matters who you are planning to sue. If this or anything like it was a known side effect and you accepted that risk, you have no case. If this is unique to you and you can prove causation, not just correlation, and it is not listed as a possible side effect then you may be able to win against the drug manufacturer. If it is a listed side effect and you received no instruction or literature that explained this you may have a case. If you do opt to sue remember that well over 90% of malpractice cases lose and you may be responsible not only for your legal expenses but for the court costs and possibly the defenses expenses as well. Do your homework first to make sure you understand the medicine involved and you know what you must prove in order to win.