Product Liability

February 1, 2014

Thoratec HeartMate II Blood Clot Risk

Thoratec HeartMate II Left Ventrical Assist Device (LVAD) or a Left Ventrical Assist System (LVAS), is a mechanical heart pump that is used to continuously pump blood through the heart. It is a critical bridge device for patients with advanced heart failure who are awaiting a heart transplant.

Every year, about 4,000 people are implanted with an LVAD, and about 75% receive the HeartMate II. Unfortunately it can form deadly blood clots, according to a recent medical report.

The implanted device caused 72 blood clots in 66 patients at three institutions, where 895 devices were implanted from 2004 through 2013, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. The report pooled data from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, Washington University Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, and Duke Medical University Center.

January 29, 2014

J&J Failed to Warn About Talcum Body Powder Cancer Risks

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Medical studies have demonstrated a link between talcum powder use and ovarian cancer in women.

Johnson & Johnson, is a giant pharmaceutical company for a wide range of cosmetic, pharmaceutical and hygiene products, has issued a steady stream of product recalls and safety warnings.

Talcum powder cancer lawsuits are one among many product liability litigation suits the conglomerate is facing; others include Tylenol liver failure, injury from Ethicon transvaginal mesh, gynecomastia from Risperdal use in boys and early hip failure and replacement for DePuy hip replacement parts.

January 24, 2014

NuvaRing Pulmonary Embolism Lawsuits Nearing Settlement?

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Good news for women injured by Nuvaring, according to media reports, a major Nuvaring global settlement may be in the works. The first NuvaRing birth control bellwether trial scheduled to begin in the Missouri federal court has been canceled. According to a recent court order all proceedings in the Nuvaring product liability lawsuits remain stayed while settlement negotiations continue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XmCaGQ7hl8&feature=player_detailpage

Nuvaring Injury Cases

January 24, 2014

Report: J&J Ethicon Vaginal Mesh Company Destroyed Crucial Files

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Injured women who have alleged product liability vaginal mesh lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon, have also filed a motion for sanctions. This motion claims that the manufacturer has destroyed a massive amount of data that was relevant to the litigation. Allegedly Ethicon destroyed or lost hundreds of thousands of important documents that should have been preserved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0Xvv9cd07G8

Thousands of Ethicon Vaginal Mesh Claims

January 23, 2014

St. Jude Riata & Riata ST Lead Injury Lawsuits

by Dr. Shezad Malik

A federal judge has opened the way for St. Jude Riata defibrillator lead lawsuits to move ahead, after rejecting the manufacturer’s claim of federal preemption protection.

U.S. District Judge Selna, in the Central District of California, denied a motion to dismiss filed in five product liability lawsuits from folks who experienced injuries from St. Jude Riata leads. St. Jude Riata leads were recalled after reports that the wire insulation may fail after implantation.

St. Jude Tried to use the Federal Preemption Defense

January 22, 2014

Actos Bladder Cancer Set for Federal Trial

by Dr. Shezad Malik

January 21, 2014

Byetta, Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Litigation Update

by Dr. Shezad Malik

In the federal court system, a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) has been established to centralize Byetta, Januvia, Janumet and Victoza pancreatic cancer lawsuits filed in U.S. District Courts by the users of these diabetic drugs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZjMMo_cunA&feature=player_detailpage

There are currently at least 262 cases consolidated as part of an MDL, before U.S. District Judge Battaglia in the Southern District of California. Next discovery and pretrial proceedings will proceed, and bellwether trials will be scheduled, probably some time in 2015.

January 19, 2014

Boston Scientific Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits Moving Ahead

by Dr. Shezad Malik

In personal injury and Mass Tort cases, most states have a 2 year Statute of Limitations, which typically begins to run from the date of the injury or when the injured party knew or should have know that the injury was cause by the defective drug or medical device.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0Xvv9cd07G8

This is a method by which the courts and by states legislatures to put a hard time limit on cases so that folks cannot bring cases for injuries that happened years ago, otherwise there would be no end to litigation.

January 7, 2014

Mirena IUD Perforation New Jersey and New York Lawsuits

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Product liability lawsuits over Mirena IUD uterus perforation injuries continues to climb in state and federal court. There are more than 600 Mirena IUD lawsuits filed nationwide. The women allege that they suffered debilitating injuries when their Mirena IUD birth control perforated the uterus, causing internal injuries, and requiring surgical removal of the Mirena implant.

Federal Court New York MDL

About 300 cases are filed in the federal court system, and centralized for pretrial proceedings before U.S. District Judge Seibel in the Southern District of New York as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation.

January 6, 2014

Stryker Settles Some Rejuvenate Metal on Metal Hip Lawsuits

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Encouraging news for affected victims of the Stryker Rejuvenate metal on metal hips. An agreement has been reached to settle at least four Stryker Rejuvante hip lawsuits during early mediation process.

Howmedica Osteonics Corp., the parent company, and Stryker faces about 1,000 lawsuits over problems with their Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implants. Stryker the hip manufacturer, recalled the implants in July 2012, after reports revealed that an inordinate number were failing prematurely.