Accutane settlements are monetary awards granted to those who have sustained serious, devastating injuries as a result of taking the prescription acne medication marketed as Accutane (isotretinoin). Produced by Hoffman-LaRoche (now LaRoche Pharmaceuticals), Accutane was initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1982 to treat certain types of cancers and severe acne that has not responded to other less potent acne medication. Accutane is a form of vitamin A, and it was officially recalled by LaRoche Pharmaceuticals in 2009 due to mounting concerns of its serious side effects.
Side Effects Spark Accutane Settlements
Although effective at treating acne, Accutane has been reported to cause a range of severe and, at times, potentially fatal side effects, such as:
- birth defects (when a pregnant women takes this medication)
- depression
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- jaundice
- liver damage
- pancreatitis
- severe allergic reaction
- suicidal thoughts or behaviors
While Accutane users can minimize their risk of developing such serious health complications by working closely with their doctor and only taking the medication as directed, some will still develop the above-mentioned side effects. These Accutane users may have a strong defective drug claim against LaRoche Pharmaceuticals, and may be entitled to compensation through an Accutane settlement.
How to Secure an Accutane Settlement
Injured parties can get on the path to receiving gcompensation they deserve through an Accutane settlement through a complimentary, no obligation initial consultation with an experienced defective drug lawyer at our firm. During this meeting, prospective plaintiffs can learn more about their rights, receive a professional assessment of their case, and get expert advice on what the next steps are in the journey to securing the Accutane settlement they deserve.
While the amount of an Accutane settlement will vary according to the nature and severity of the injuries sustained, in general, these awards attempt to compensate injured parties for their:
- outstanding medical bills
- necessary long-term treatment costs
- permanent disabilities and lost wages
- loss in quality of life
- pain and suffering
Currently, LaRoche Pharmaceuticals is facing more than 5,000 Accutane lawsuits in the U.S., and the company has paid out more than $50 million in Accutane verdicts. Because most of these lawsuits are still pending, the total amount of Accutane settlements paid out by LaRoche Pharmaceuticals is expected to increase exponentially in the coming years.
