Food and drug mediation is used when a person is injured or made ill by a medication or food.  Since the FDA is in charge with protecting the population from dangerous foods and drugs, the two are handled in a similar legal manner.  Additionally, food and drug mediation can be used to settle issues related to dietary supplements, weight loss products, vitamins, etc.

The reason mediation is so successful when it comes to settling disputes of this type is because it addresses both the fiduciary and emotional aspects of a case.  Mediation sessions give those affected by faulty foods or drugs the opportunity to share their story.  They also play an important role in settling their case.  There are also benefits for the food and drug manufacturers involved in these cases – the information discussed during mediation remains private, so there is no worry of a public relations nightmare unfolding in the public eye.  Everyone involved is able to confidentially negotiate a fair settlement without public scrutiny or interference from the court system.

Image courtesy of iosphere / freedigitalphotos.net

Mediation brings closure to food and drug disputes as efficiently as possible.  It takes less time to reach a settlement because there is no lengthy discovery process, no motions are filed, and there is no need for a judge or jury to take days or weeks to examine evidence.  Whatever is needed to settle a dispute is brought to the mediation session and rarely do sessions extend beyond a single day.  This saves both parties money and allows them to resolve their dispute and return to their lives as quickly as possible.

Perhaps most importantly, at least for the party that had a negative experience with the food or drug in question, mediation provides an opportunity to share his or her story.  In a controlled environment, the affected party is able to tell his or her story.  Often, this cathartic experience is necessary to open the door to a fair resolution.