Suicides Linked to Antidepressants

For many years, it was claimed by many experts that antidepressants can cause suicidal thoughts and the eventual act of suicide in some patients. Antidepressants such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which impact serotonin, one of the brain's most important biochemicals. According to the author, who is a doctor, of "Health and Nutrition Secrets," SSRIs can increase serotonin levels in the brain to the point where dangerous side effects can occur, including hallucinations, body tics, dizziness, and homicidal or suicidal thoughts. Up to 70 percent of antidepressant prescriptions are written by physicians, not psychiatrists, who up until 2007 may have been unaware of the potential harmful effects of too much serotonin. In 2007, the FDA finally added a black box warning concerning the potential suicide risk for users aged 18 to 24.

Various lawsuits in the past few years have resulted in jury awards in cases where antidepressants caused murder-suicides, suicides, and attempted suicides. In one case in 2001, a jury awarded $8 million in damages to the family of a man who killed his wife, daughter, and granddaughter before killing himself while on the drug Paxil. In the same year, another jury awarded $5 million to a man who disfigured himself in a suicide attempt while on a combination of Zoloft and Prozac. The jury found the man's doctor guilty of criminal negligence.

Medical Malpractice Firm in Atlanta, Georgia

A suicide attempt due to the negligence of a doctor prescribing antidepressants is just one example of medical malpractice. Other medical malpractice cases may involve birth injuries, anesthesia errors, emergency room errors, surgical errors, hospital infections, and more. For those harmed due to these type of medical mistakes or negligence, it is essential to seek the legal help of a law firm that focuses its practice on this complex and demanding field.

The Tolson Firm, LLC, based in Atlanta, offers highly professional legal representation in medical malpractice cases. The firm has litigated many multi-million dollar cases to a successful conclusion; its elite legal team is viewed as a leader in the personal injury field. Lead attorney Tolson has been named as one of the Top 100 Female Lawyers in Georgia as well as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the state. With exceptional knowledge and experience in medical malpractice, the firm can rapidly and efficiently help you seek the financial compensation to which you are eligible. Contact the firm for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal rights and options in medical malpractice situations.