Suing a Foreign Drug Company for Personal Injury
As a Memphis personal injury lawyer who has helped take on some of the biggest drug companies in the world, I get a lot of questions about pharmaceuticals. In particular, people ask if they can sue a foreign drug company for personal injury.
Any drug injury case will be complicated, no matter where the company bases their work – but you absolutely have options.
So here’s what you need to know about the industry and how we can (and do) hold these big corporations accountable.
The Global Nature of Dangerous Drugs
In personal injury, “dangerous drugs” refers to injuries caused by a pharmaceutical drug. These cases might take place across the United States; however, they aren’t all US companies. Many of the biggest drug manufacturers now base their work abroad, including in Asia and Europe.
When these organizations come out with a new drug, they go through the same regulatory process as any US-based company. They have to show their studies, work with the FDA, and release information about potential side effects.
Unfortunately, sometimes a company will cut corners or even use corrupt tactics not to release certain information. They might hide certain data from the public. And as a result, people who take the drug may face severe or even fatal injuries.
So what can we do?
How the US Courts Handle Foreign Companies That Cause an Injury
Generally, foreign companies doing business in the US are subject to the jurisdiction of one or more United States courts. Once you engage in business in the US, you can be held liable under our laws.
In addition, most big pharmaceutical companies have a whole network around them. They have headquarters in the US and in other countries, just like any other big corporation. They sometimes work with American subsidiaries on individual drugs. And they have culturally-specific sales and promotional strategies to appeal to the American people.
This means drug companies have obligations not only to US citizens, but to the courts that represent those citizens.
Understanding Mass Torts
If you’ve been injured by a pharmaceutical, you probably aren’t alone. Generally, these cases involve hundreds and even thousands of people who’ve been harmed.
Each person’s case is different, but together they reflect a problem with the drug and its safety and/or marketing.
To take these companies to task, firms like mine use a process called mass torts. Mass torts are lawsuits in which a large number of individuals collectively file lawsuits against a defendant.
These are different from class action suits, where you’re lumped together as one plaintiff. In mass torts, you have your own individual case and can receive your own settlement. Fortunately, our court system allows us to bring mass tort cases against any company doing business in the US.
This keeps everyone safe and gives us the chance to hold wrongdoers accountable, no matter where they base their company.
An Attorney to Help With Your Pharmaceutical Lawsuit
If you’ve been injured by a dangerous drug, you can absolutely sue a foreign drug company, and you should move quickly with an attorney you trust. These cases are complicated, and you may have a limited time to file.
Our Memphis personal injury lawyers have come up against some of the biggest drug companies in the world and won. Recent cases include:
- Zofran (connected to birth defects)
- Tylenol (connected to liver failure)
- Johnson & Johnson baby powder (connected to ovarian cancer)
- and many more
We know how these large corporations work and what it takes to get justice. Our award-winning team will stand by your side every step of the way, and we don’t get paid anything unless and until we win your case.
To get started with a free appointment, contact us today or call us at 901-327-2100. We look forward to speaking with you.