How LSD use in the 50s and 60s led to a product liability claim

LSD was first brought to the UK in 1952 by a psychiatrist named Ronnie Sandson after he had encountered the substance while on a professional visit to the pharmaceutical lab of drug company Sandoz. At the time it was hailed as the "future of psychiatry" and widely used by many in the UK mental health fraternity, despite it not ever receiving official government licensing. Little did its supporters know that nearly fifty years later its use would lead to a landmark collective product liability compensation claim.

After being introduced to the UK by Sandson, LSD would go on to be prescribed by many psychological health professionals in the UK, often to treat relatively minor depressive illnesses and mental health disorders.

Because of widespread belief that it could unlock the subconscious by "opening up emotions" it was used to treat conditions ranging from postnatal depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and neurosis to simple emotional reserve.

However, after a boom in its medical use during the 1950s and early 1960s, growing recreational use of the substance by the "flower power" generation quickly alerted authorities to some of its more damaging side effects.

Many of these side effects are long term and have continued to ail patients who were administered LSD by mental health professionals during the 50s and 60s well into the new century. Hallucinations, flashbacks, anxiety, depression and chronic paranoia are just a few of these, and make it easy to understand why hundreds of patients affected by LSD prescription during these two decades decided to launch a mass action product liability claim.

Fortunately, in 2002 the claimants won their landmark compensation decision at London's High Court. The personal injury solicitor who represented them commented at the time, "We are pleased to advise of the settlement of the LSD group litigation. The group have accepted an overall damages payment of £200,000.

Whilst this is not a substantial figure the level of damages ensure that those people who were prescribed LSD in the 1960's and 1970's and for whom expert evidence shows that they have suffered damage as a direct result of that treatment do receive some compensation taking into account that the treatment took place up to 40 years ago and that the standard of care in pharmaceutical cases was of course lower and different in that era. It should be emphasised that no admission of liability has been or remains forthcoming from the Health Authorities."

Making a no win, no fee product liability claim
The manufacturers of all products have a duty to ensure that they do not cause damage to the health of consumers. Pharmaceutical companies share this responsibility and, even today, there are examples of them not meeting this responsibility.

If they don't, and you or a family member suffer as a result, you may be able to claim product liability compensation.

YouClaim's product liability lawyers are widely recognised as being among the very best working in the UK today. All are governed by the high standards of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and all share the same no-cut commitment, something which guarantees all our winning clients 100% compensation.

While we might be described as a "no win, no fee" company, our service actually offers much more. With YouClaim, we promise that, win or lose, you will never have to pay anyone a single penny in legal costs or fees.

To get in touch with us, fill out an online claim form, have an echat discussion or fill out a callback request.

Alternatively, if you would like to speak to a legal advisor over the telephone now, call 0800 10 757 95.