MEDICAL

My son was put on a very strong IV antibiotic when he was 2 years old for pneumococcal pneumonia. At 4 years old we were told he had a moderate hearing loss. The doctors at that time said it could be a side effect of medications but that he was not given the medication that caused hearing loss. We were never notified of this side effect, and have learned today (he's now 8) that medication WAS given to him. We've also learned that medication is no longer used. I need for someone to let me know how to find out if there is a class action lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company. He needs two hearing aids at a cost of $2500 each. These will never be covered by most health insurance plans. The medication he was given is Gentamycin(spelling?)

I am sorry for the hearing loss that your son has, and that it may have been caused by Gentamycin.

If the full details are as your post indicates, and you were NOT apprised of any known side effects of the use of this medication, you may very well have a basis for a claim against the prescribing physician. However, there are a lot of issues that would need to be resolved, some are:
1) What effects were known at the time of prescription.
2) What releases and warnings were signed or given.
3) Possible time limitations to litigation (Statute of Limitations affects).

Also, you might want to do some online searches for additional information. For example, I found the following of interest:
http://www.hearingcenter.com/Questions/Q_gentamycin.html
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~garyh/prejuly/0233.html
http://www.depressionclinic.com/wellness/hearing/drugs.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/cbm/hearing.html
http://iubio.bio.indiana.edu/R1945-5734-/Network-News/bionet/audiology/9801.newsm
http://www.docguide.com/dg.nsf/PrintPrint/9B33D3E59682C3528525693B006E9136
http://healthbboard.com/wellness/hearing/message/m13085.htm

I would suggest that you find an attorney that is familiar with medical malpractice and discuss your case with him/her.