How to Choose an Ephedra Attorney

Ephedra is a plant that contains the active ingredient ephedrine, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Like phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine acts on the appetite control center of the brain, the hypothalmus, suppressing the desire to eat. Like all CNS stimulants, ephedrine stimulates the heart and causes blood vessels to constrict, increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Ephedrine-containing products (ma huang, Chinese ephedra, and Sida cordifolia) are marketed to improve athletic performance and enhance weight loss. Contrary to popular belief, there is no good evidence that substances containing ephedrine enhance one's exercise performance, and it is banned by the International Olympic Committee and National Collegiate Athletic Association.

In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began receiving hundreds of reports of illnesses and injuries associated with the use of dietary supplements containing Ephedra and/or ephedrine alkaloids. Incidents of deaths, strokes, heart attacks, seizures, rapid and irregular hearth rhythms, increased blood pressure, chest pain, psychosis and tremors were reported.

In December 2003, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a consumer alert and announced a ban on the sale of Ephedra products in the United States. This alert advised consumers to immediately stop buying and using Ephedra products because of their linkage to significant health related reactions. The Ephedra ban became effective finally in 2004 after an FDA ruling stating that supplements containing Ephedra and/or ephedrine alkaloids present an unreasonable risk of injury to consumers.

Ephedra Injury

If you have suffered serious side effects like a heart attack, stroke, or brain damage, or if a family member has died after using a product containing ephedra, you may be able to recover damages to compensate you for your injuries by filing an ephedra lawsuit. An experienced ephedra attorney will be able to help you evaluate your case and tell you if you are entitled to damages and the amount of damages you should request.

Lawsuits against large companies for damages caused by their products are complicated and difficult to bring. Large companies typically hire experienced attorneys who are specialists in dealing with their products and who have access to a great deal of information about the products. Anyone trying to represent him or herself or any inexperienced attorney trying to handle this kind of case will have a great deal of difficulty getting fair compensation for injuries against these specialists.
You are most likely to get a fair award for your damages if you use an experienced drug injury lawyer who knows how to investigate this kind of case and how to conduct this kind of litigation. Your ephedra attorney will know the procedural requirements, such as the time you have to file your claim under your state law (ephedra statute of limitations), the best geographical area to bring the case, and the right parties to name as defendants in your case. A good ephedra lawyer will also know about ephedra side effects and how to research and present an ephedra case.

Even if you believe you will be able to settle your case without going to court, you are more likely to get a fair settlement if you are represented by an experienced ephedra attorney who will not be intimidated or overwhelmed by the manufacturer’s attorneys.

Please click here to find an experienced Ephedra injury attorney in your area.