Florida Child Injury Law Blog

A South Florida physician is facing allegations his actions led to the death of a Weston, Florida teenager in 2003. 

 Dr. Sohail Punjwani who was admonished by the Food and Drug Administration for his methods in prescribing drugs is the target in the lawsuit.  His decision to prescribe an anti-psychotic drug not approved for adolescents has the deceased’s mother  placing blame.   The lawsuit claims that Punjwani’s care “deviated and departed from the prevailing professional standard of care exercised” by most physicians.

 But there’s more to the case than just that.  Pharmaceutical giant, AstraZeneca which produces Seroquel, the drug Punjwani prescribed, was forced to pay a $520 million dollar settlement to state and federal agencies because of its marketing tactics.  The Department of Justice asserts that AstraZeneca encouraged medical practitioners to prescribe Seroquel for patients young and old for indications not approved by the FDA.

 Punjwani is expected to go to trial later this year.  All of the other parties and institutions named in this case have settled with the family. 

 If you believe you or a family member were harmed or injured as the result of negligent care by a doctor, keep in mind Florida has strict time limits in which a claim for medical negligence may be brought.  Do not delay in contacting a qualified Florida Child Medical Malpractice attorney to discuss your legal rights.