Personal Injury Law

Staten Island Defective Drug Lawsuit Awards $22.5 Million to Man

Dominick Tenuto, a Staten Island man who contracted paralytic polio 30 years ago when his 5-month-old daughter was vaccinated using a live virus, has been awarded $22.5 million in compensation. According to this news report, Tenuto, now 61, was seeking millions from Lederle Laboratories, the manufacturer of the vaccine, Orimune. Tenuto contracted polio a month after his daughter was vaccinated. He lost use of his legs. He also sued the estate of pediatrician Dr. Leroy Schwartz, but the jury only held Lederle liable in this case. Tenuto is still wheelchair-bound because of the drug related injury in Staten Island.

Adverse drug reactions or effects can seriously change our lives. Although all drugs have some form of side effects, it is the drug manufacturer's responsibility to make sure that consumers are aware of those adverse effects before they make a decision to use that drug. It's also a drug manufacturer's duty to ensure that it doesn't make or distribute dangerous or defective products.

If the drug is defective or if the drug manufacturer has not done a proper job of informing consumers about the possible side effects, then the drug maker can be held liable for injuries caused to the consumer. In the case of this Staten Island man, he was left with a permanent disability.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or if you have lost a loved one because of a defective drug or defective products, please call a skilled New York personal injury attorney at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free consultation. We will remain on your side, fight for your rights and make sure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Full post as published by New York Injury Talk Blog on March 31, 2009 (boomark / email).