Low-Testosterone Treatment Lawsuits: 5 Common Questions

With more men seeking treatment for low testosterone, so-called low-T treatments are leading to an increasing number of lawsuits from those who claim they suffered adverse health effects.

Though many men claim that the positive effects of low-T therapy outweigh the risks, Reuters reports that a public advocacy group is petitioning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to put a "black box warning" on the drugs -- the agency's most serious warning -- based on growing evidence that the drugs can increase the risks of heart attacks and other cardiac dangers.

Here are answers five questions you may be asking about these low-T treatment lawsuits:

1. Why are people suing? As Bloomberg has reported, patients who claim they suffered heart attacks and strokes caused by low-T therapy drugs have filed lawsuits. Pharmaceutical drug manufacturers have a duty to properly test drugs before releasing them for public sale as well as a duty to warn about known side effects. Failure to do either or both of these can lead to liability for injuries or fatalities caused by the drugs.
2. Who can sue? Anyone who's suffered an adverse health effect from low-T therapy can potentially sue to recover for their injuries. If a patient dies from an adverse effect of low-T therapy, his surviving relatives may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
3. How much can victims get in a drug injury lawsuit? The amount of recovery in a drug injury lawsuit can vary widely, depending on not only the severity of a victim's injuries, but also whether the lawsuit has been given class action status, in which a group of people injured in a similar way by the same product sue a defendant as a group.
4. What factors may affect a potential lawsuit? The success of any potential lawsuit stemming from a drug injury can hinge on several factors, including being able to prove that your injuries were caused by the drug and not from another source. There also may be a statute of limitations in effect, which limits how long you can wait before filing a claim.
5. Where can victims find a lawyer? If you have taken a low-T drug and believe you've suffered adverse health effects, FindLaw's lawyer directory can connect you with an experienced drug and medical device lawyer near you. Many offer free or low-cost consultations, so don't be afraid to ask.

Speaking with lawyer can help you determine if you have any legal recourse against the drug's manufacturer. As mentioned above, the clock may be ticking for your potential low-T therapy claim, so don't delay.

Related Resources:

• What is Drug and Medical Device Injury Law? (FindLaw)
• 5 Things a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do (That You Probably Can't) (FindLaw's Injured)
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