Product Liability

March 3, 2015

J&J Risperdal Gynecomastia Verdicts

Johnson & Johnson, (J&J) the world’s largest pharmaceutical and medical device maker recently received a one, two punch over its antipsychotic blockbuster drug, Risperdal.

The drug manufacturer lost the first trial in state court in Philadelphia over allegations that Risperdal causes gynecomastia or abnormal breast growth in boys and young men exposed to the popular antipsychotic drug.

The jury slapped Johnson & Johnson to pony up $2.5 million in compensatory damages to a young Alabama man blamed the company for promoting the “off label” use of Risperdal, which in turn resulted in gynecomastia.

March 2, 2015

Xarelto Wrongful Death Lawsuits Ramping Up

by Dr. Shezad Malik

According to court documents and a review of the inventory of filed lawsuits against the makers of Xarelto, the litigation appears to be gathering steam and increasing in breadth and depth. In December 2014, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) granted consolidated pretrial proceedings for all federal Xarelto cases filed against Bayer and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen subsidiary over the new-generation blood thinner.

Xarelto Personal Injury Bleeding and Death Cases Over 220

The Xarelto personal injury and product liability claims are centralized before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon in the Eastern District of Louisiana.Bayer and Johnson & Johnson is now exposed to at least 220 bleeding cases in the federal multi-district litigation (MDL), with more on the way.

March 1, 2015

J&J to Settle More Defective DePuy ASR Hip Lawsuits

by Dr. Shezad Malik

DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacements continue to fail prematurely and require painful and risky revision surgery. Johnson and Johnson, the world’s largest pharmaceutical and medical device maker and its subsidiary DePuy, recently agreed to extend the settlement of its notorious line of failed metal on metal hips, to include cases where the faulty hip was replaced as of January 2015.

This extension, provides further relieve to injured plaintiffs who were locked out of the original settlement, which cut off claims as of August 2013.

Total Number of Settlements Exceeds 9,400 Cases

February 28, 2015

Actos Bladder Cancer Cases Heading to Settlement

by Dr. Shezad Malik

There is a big push underway to try and resolve all of the Actos bladder cancer lawsuits. The U.S. District Judge presiding over all federal Actos bladder cancer lawsuits will require the parties to discuss settlements in advance of a bellwether trial scheduled in 2016.

In that trial at least five different cases may be consolidated for trial before one jury.

Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuits Continue to Increase

February 27, 2015

Actos Bladder Cancer Claims Continue

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Recently earlier this month, seventeen plaintiffs filed an Actos bladder cancer lawsuit against manufacturer Takeda Pharmaceuticals, blaming that the use of the type 2 diabetes treatment led to the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Four of the plaintiffs had died from advanced bladder cancer. The other plaintiffs have experienced recurrences of their cancer, leading to complications and ongoing painful cancer treatments.

Plaintiffs Serious and Catastrophic Injuries From Actos

February 26, 2015

Zofran Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate, Heart Birth Defects

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Zofran, is an anti-nausea medication that is commonly prescribed for morning sickness. However, recent medical studies have found pregnancy side effects that may increase the risk of severe and debilitating birth defects in children.

GlaxoSmithKline Allegations

Patients have blamed GlaxoSmithKline’s failure to adequately research their medication or warn about the risk of congenital malformations. Injured children are filing Zofran birth defect lawsuits throughout the United States who have developed:

February 25, 2015

Bard Avaulta TransVaginal Mesh Settlement in the Works

by Dr. Shezad Malik

After a hard fought, protracted and bitter fight that has consumed the last 5 years, the Bard Avaulta transvaginal mesh litigation is finally heading for a global settlement. U.S. District Judge, John Goodwin, who presiding over all federal vaginal mesh lawsuits has appointed a Special Master to forge settlement talks between C.R. Bard and women who allege the mesh and bladder sling company’s products left them with painful and serious injuries.

75,000 Women Cannot Be Wrong

February 13, 2015

Philadelphia Actos Trial Results in $2.3 M Verdict

by Dr. Shezad Malik

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BixcAewKQYg

A Philadelphia state court jury earlier this week, concluded that Actos caused bladder cancer. Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. the manufacturer of Actos, received another setback in the conclusion of yesterday’s trial, when the jury also determined that the company acted recklessly and found that punitive damages should be awarded.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. was ordered to pay more than $2.3 million in damages to a Pennsylvanian man who blamed the company’s Actos diabetes drug for causing his bladder cancer.

February 9, 2015

Philadelphia $2M Actos Bladder Cancer Verdict Upheld

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Judge Shelly Robins, from Pennsylvania has denied the appeal of a $2 million verdict awarded in October to a plaintiff who blamed Takeda Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s drug Actos was a significant contributor to her developing bladder cancer.

In an order docketed on Friday, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Shelly Robins New rejected the company’s post-trial motions, in which they had argued that the jury’s verdict overstepped the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authority.

The judge also added nearly $100,000 in delay damages, leading to a total judgment of $2.1 M.

February 1, 2015

J&J Hammered Over Risperdal Male Breast Injuries

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Currently underway in the State Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, there is a trial over the side effects of Risperdal, a popular antipsychotic medication. According to riveting court testimony, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), knew as early as 2001 that the medication caused boys to grow breasts.

This testimony was provided by David Kessler, the former head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in the first case over the antipsychotic medication to be decided by a jury in state court in Philadelphia.

J&J, no stranger to governmental fines, has paid more than $2 billion to resolve a criminal probe over its drug Risperdal.