Alza Corporation has been sued in a wrongful death lawsuit by family members of a deceased Utah woman who claim the pharmaceutical company manufactured a defective pain relief patch.
According to the Herald Journal, Janine Ward died on May 4, 2010 after using a transdermal patch that allegedly leaked dangerous doses of the pain medication fentanyl - a synthetic drug that is 100 times more potent than morphine – into her bloodstream. Toxicology reports showed that the Ward had a lethal level of fentanyl in her blood at the time of her death and her family says Alza should be held responsible.
"[Ward's] patch was defective because of the existence of a manufacturing flaw that made the product not reasonably fit or safe for its intended use," states the wrongful death lawsuit "The manufacturing defect was a proximate cause of decedent's death [and] her pain and suffering prior to death."
Ward’s family also says that the company should have used safer alternative designs to make the patch. They seek punitive and exemplary damages.
If you or a loved one have been harmed by a defective medical product, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law to find out if a dangerous drug lawyer may be able to help you and represent your case.