2010 has been a year of public disgrace for Johnson & Johnson, with its over-the-counter medicinal products being recalled twice due to production problems. Recently, on April 30, 2010, McNeil Consumer HealthCare, a drug manufacturing unit of Johnson & Johnson, recalled seven Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl batches. According to the company reports, McNeil is voluntarily recalling all the lots of these drugs, even those that are not expired, because they fail to meet the prescribed quality standards. One of the major reasons cited by the company is higher concentration of active ingredients in the medicines.
This is, of course, not the first time that a drug has been recalled. In most cases, a drug recall initiative is preceded by several consumer reports against the manufacturer. In the above mentioned case, there have been several media reports about health hazards due to Tylenol consumption. McNeil has initiated a public complaint redressal campaign following the recall. However, seeking just compensation through a corporate redressal system can be a daunting task.
How to Seek Compensation in a Drug Recall Case?
In case you have consumed a recalled drug, visit your regular physician to undergo a complete check up. If you have suffered any health-related problems due to the manufacturer’s fault, you can claim just compensation.
To this end, you will need to lodge a complaint with the recalled drug manufacturer. In the above mentioned case, McNeil has set up a dedicated phone line and email ID that individuals affected by Tylenol can use to file complaints. You can also notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding negligence of the manufacturer.
In most cases, drug manufacturers take such issues seriously and respond to the customer complaints. However, if they do not respond or if you are not satisfied with their response, you have the option of taking legal recourse to seek compensation. This means that you will need to file a lawsuit in the court under consumer protection laws. The easiest way to go about this is to contact a drug recall law expert who can guide you through the procedure to file a lawsuit and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
About Solomon Neuhardt:
Solomon Neuhardt is the owner and lead attorney at Neuhardt Law Firm, a member of the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and represents individuals and families in personal injury cases, including accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, dog bites, and insurance disputes.
