by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
The drug industry in the U.S. is a multi-billion dollar business. Many blame the rising cost of health insurance in part, on the over prescription and over use of medications. Unfortunately, the ramifications of our use or overuse of prescription medications is far reaching and goes beyond an increase in the cost of health insurance. This was perhaps never more clear, than it was in the case of Joseph Mazella.
A NY jury highlighted the dangers associated with anti-depressant drugs, by awarding 1.5 million to the family of Joseph Mazella who committed suicide. Mazella was a 51 year old father, teacher and coach, who had been taking Paxil (20mg) for over 10 years as presribed by Dr. William Beals. Upon feeling anxious and depressed, Mazella telephoned Dr. Beals for help. Instead of having Mazella come into the office for an evaluation, Dr. Beals elected over the phone to increase Mazella's Paxil dosage to 40 mg and added the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa. In one month's time Mazella was found at home by his wife, dead from an apparent suicide.
Read the complete blog and the basis for the jury verdict at www.liattorney.com/scales-of-justice.html.
