Ephedra Lawsuits and Death | PersonalInjuryLawyer.com

Ephedra is a Chinese herbal medicine that has been brought into the United States since the 1990s for use as a dietary supplement, to lose weight, increase strength, and improve energy. In addition, a synthetic form, called ephedrine, has been used in drugs that treat asthma, nasal congestion, and eye irritations. However, the synthetic form is strictly controlled in how it is marketed and sold. A retailer has the option of refusing to sell it to someone who appears to be abusing the drug. Over the years, there have been many serious consequences from the use of ephedra, causing heart attacks, strokes, and even death. As a result, ephedra was banned by the FDA in 2004. Even though that ban was overturned in central Utah for a period, it was itself overturned and the ban became universal throughout the U.S. in 2006.

Side Effects of Ephedra

Ephedra is made from ma huang, an evergreen shrub from Asia. It has been proven that while it can produce weight loss and energy, especially in conjunction with caffeine, while the drug is being used, the effects do not last, and they certainly do not produce better physical prowess. In fact, they often produce adverse effects, including:

Heart attacks
Irregular heart rhythms
Strokes
Seizures
Depression
Paranoid psychosis
Coma
Vomiting
Fever

The most well known case of such reactions came in 2003, when major league pitcher Steve Bechler died of ephedra toxicity in spring training for the Baltimore Orioles.

Ephedra Lawsuits

While Ephedra was being challenged in Utah, several mail order drug suppliers were selling ephedra-based products to customers all over the country. It is suspected that there are still many products containing ephedra under other names to avoid the ban by the FDA. However, those who either used it before the ban or have inadvertently used it since and have suffered serious injury as a result have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers, distributers, and retailers of this illegal substance. In the case of Steve Bechler’s ephedra death, his wife sued for $600 million. Others suffering heart attacks, strokes, brain damage, and more, have filed suits for millions of dollars as well.

Getting Legal Help

There are experienced attorneys who have dealt with ephedra lawsuits and can guide sufferers through the process of obtaining their legal rights and compensation for their damages and injuries. They can help victims discover if they have ingested ephedra products, who is at fault, who to sue, and how much they should be compensated under current product liability laws. These cases are complex, and drug companies are willing to fight to avoid large damage losses, as well. In addition, every state has a statute of limitations on product liability cases that make it impossible to file suit once that limit has run out. A skilled attorney can help victims avoid those dangers and have their rights protected within our legal system and help file an ephedra lawsuit.

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