EpiPen failures happen when the injection didn’t work as it should. In this case, it is an allergic reaction to a bee sting that leads to anaphylactic shock. The failure is usually attributed to the device not activating properly. As is often the case with lawsuits, it’s important to understand the facts about EpiPen failures and how this type of event can affect you and your loved ones.
In order for plaintiffs in such cases, who typically have little extra money left after medical expenses, this information can help them establish a potential claim against their medical provider. This article will help you understand the problem and what to do if you believe you have been harmed by an EpiPen failure.
What are EpiPens?
EpiPens are life saving devices that deliver epinephrine to people who have a severe allergy, like food allergies, and they are used an average of 1.5 million times a year in the United States alone. They are auto-injectors that are usually prescribed by a doctor. They are available in the form of a preloaded syringe or as an EpiPen Jr., which is designed to be used by children.
How Do EpiPens Work?
An EpiPen failure means that the EpiPen did not deliver enough epinephrine to stop an allergic reaction from occurring. If a person who has a severe allergy, like a bee sting, comes into contact with the allergen and the reaction is life-threatening, an EpiPen is used to deliver epinephrine. The patient attaches the device to their thigh and pulls back the safety release pin. When they press down on the device with their thumb, these releases either pre-filled vial of epinephrine from the device into their veins or as optional treatment, they can also inject epinephrine directly into their veins.
Reasons Why You Should Contact a Lawyer
1. If you feel that your EpiPen has failed, one of the first things you should do is contact your medical provider. The next step is to contact a lawyer.
2. If you are unsure if your device has failed, ask your doctor to check it out again. A lawyer can help with this process as well. Filing a lawsuit for EpiPen failure can be done through the provider of your medication through a class action lawsuit.
3. If the device has failed and you still have epinephrine left in it, you will always want to carefully consider how to use this remaining epinephrine. Obviously, it is not a good idea to inject even a small amount of this medication into your veins. A licensed medical professional should be able to tell you how much of the epinephrine is left in the device and when it should be safely used.
Legal Action Potential
In order to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, it is first necessary to contact the manufacturer of your medication. Filing a class action case against companies can be challenging as you must prove that your condition or illness is indeed caused by the faulty device and that you have been harmed by it.
