Can a person file a lawsuit if their loved one was taking Paraxetine…

I don't mean to step on the toes of "Experienced Attorney," who responded first, but since I have experience in this particular matter, I offer my own impressions.

Paroxetine is the chemical name for the drug marketed by its manufacturer as Paxil, which was originally developed as an anti-depressant, but was then found to be very helpful for people with Panic Disorder, and is prescribed for that purpose as well.

Recently, some correlation was discovered between Paxil and suicide in children under the age of 18, and now warnings to that effect are included with the drug. However, the relationship between Paxil and suicide in general is still controversial. Part of the reason for the controversy is that people suffering from depression have a much higher suicide rate than the general public.

You say your husband committed suicide two days after beginning Paroxetine. However, this drug tends to take four to six weeks before it has any noticeable effect. It has to build up in the bloodstream. A suicide after two days of using the drug may be very difficult to blame on the drug itself.

On the other hand, I think that the behavioral center, and the doctor who prescribed the drug, need to be examined closely. In particular, it is important to find out whether your husband indicated to them that he was considering suicide in the immediate future. If he did, then the doctor and/or the center may have committed malpractice.

If five lawyers have turned down the case, it might be because they are not experienced enough in this area, or because of some other information about the case which you have not disclosed yet. Normally an attorney will request the doctor's records before deciding whether or not to take a case like this.

If you do a search for medical malpractice attorneys in your area, you should be able to find one who will either take your case or at least explain to you why you don't have a good case.

Best of luck to you.