Many Californians aim to lose weight through diet, exercise, and the use of medications designed to target conditions that may contribute to obesity. Doctors prescribed Belviq, one of these weight loss drugs, until a study discovered an increased cancer risk among its patients.
If you were a Belviq patient who developed cancer after taking this medication, you may be eligible for financial compensation — and the California Belviq lawsuit attorneys at Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC can represent your best interests.
Why Choose to Work With Our Belviq Attorneys?
- Our firm has over 20 years of experience handling mass tort litigation and helping victims secure the compensation they need to recover from their injuries.
- Our Belviq recall attorneys provide nationwide legal representation to victims of defective and dangerous products, including Belviq.
- We believe in transparent communication throughout the case process. Our firm will always answer your questions and share updates with you as soon as possible.
What Is Belviq?
Belviq, or Lorcaserin, was a weight loss prescription drug, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved to treat obesity in 2012. An oral medication, Belviq belongs to the serotonin receptor agonist class of drugs. Belviq treated obesity by targeting and suppressing areas in the brain that control appetite.
In February 2020, the FDA issued a recall for the drug after experts saw disturbing cancer risk trends among Belviq patients. When the agency initially approved the drug, it required the manufacturers of Belviq to conduct a five-year study on Belviq’s long-term effects.
This study discovered that 7.7% of the patients taking Belviq developed some form of cancer, including the three following types.
- Colorectal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Lung cancer
Belviq’s manufacturer, Eisai Inc., voluntarily recalled the drug after the FDA requested them to do so. Now, victims who have developed cancer after using Belviq are seeking compensation for their physical, emotional, and financial losses.
What Are the Grounds for a California Belviq Lawsuit?
All product liability lawsuits rely on the presence of negligence on behalf of the manufacturer, designer, vendor, or another person within the chain of distribution. For Belviq claims, you will need to establish that you developed cancer as a result of taking this medication.
If you took Belviq for a total of six months and developed colorectal, pancreatic, or lung cancer within seven years of using Belviq, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Eisai Inc. The cancer must originate in your colon, pancreas, or lungs for your case to qualify.
What Damages Can You Claim in a Belviq Lawsuit?
You can claim compensation related to any damages you incur as a result of your cancer diagnosis. This can include economic damages, or your tangible, out of pocket expenses, as well as non-economic damages, or your intangible pain and suffering.
Common damages you may claim in a Belviq lawsuit include the following.
- Past and future medical expenses
- Disability accommodations, if applicable
- Lost wages during recovery time
- Loss of future earnings
- Chronic pain
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Do You Need a California Belviq Recall Attorney?
Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC provides nationwide legal services to victims of Belviq, including former patients residing in California. If you developed cancer due to Belviq use, our attorneys can help you obtain the compensation you need to recover.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our California Belviq attorneys.