Articles Posted in Product Liability

As a Zoloft SSRI Birth Defect attorney, I am writing this article to provide an update on the Zoloft SSRI MDL status. Recent medical studies indicate that a class of drugs known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, SSRI, may have side effects including serious birth defects. Some studies have linked the use of SSRIs while pregnant with birth defects. SSRI birth defects may include persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and other potentially serious heart and lung problems.

Birth Injuries Caused by Zoloft

Use of Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride), an antidepressant during pregnancy has been shown to cause serious and life-threatening birth defects. When taken during pregnancy, Zoloft has been associated with devastating birth defects, such as:

As a YAZ, Yasmin and Ocella deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism attorney I am poviding this update to the status of YAZ settlements. According to some experts, Bayer Pharmaceutical company the manufacturer of Yaz or Yasmin birth control pills, will end up paying more than $2 billion to settle lawsuits.

Bloomberg reported on July 31st that Bayer has settled nearly 1900 Yaz lawsuits for more than $400 million, at an average of around $212,000. Bayer has more than doubled its reserves for settling these cases to over $610 million, which could be positive news for those affected by the drug who have yet to file a claim.

These lawsuits were filed by users of Yaz or Yasmin birth control pills who suffered venous thrombo-embolic blood clot injuries, such as a pulmonary embolism and or deep vein thrombosis. Since 2009, the German drugmaker has faced a wave of litigation over the birth-control pills. Lawyers suing the company cited FDA reports of at least 50 deaths tied to the pills from 2004 to 2008.

As a DePuy ASR Recall and DePuy Pinnacle Replacement attorney, I have written extensively about the inherent early failure problems associated with metal on metal hips like the DePuy ASR and Pinnacle hip replacement models. Now other metal on metal hip manufacturers are under fire for allegedly making and selling defective hips. These include metal on metal hip devices made by Biomet, Zimmer, Smith and Nephew and Wright.

Metal-on-metal implants gained popularity because they were thought to be more durable and provide a better long term solution for individuals with more active lifestyles. In many cases just the opposite has been true, with a significant number of patients experiencing failure of the implant in only a few short years and requiring revision surgery to replace the device.

Recently Stryker Orthopedics announce a recall of their Rejuvenate Modular Hip and ABG II models. Read details here. Recent medical studies have indicated that other metal-on-metal hip replacement systems, including the Biomet M2A Magnum, Zimmer Durom, Wright Conserve, and DePuy Pinnacle have increased failure rates when compared to systems made from alternative materials such as ceramic or polyethylene.

According to medical experts, Merck’s NuvaRing is risky and dangerous blood clot side effects are strongly associated with its use.

Approximately five million NuvaRing prescriptions were written in the U.S. in 2010. Over 1,000 American women have already filed NuvaRing lawsuits against Merck for downplaying its dangerous side effects.

NuvaRing Blood Clot Risks

A product liability lawsuit has been filed against Pfizer, by parents whose child was born with severe heart defects after Zoloft use by the mother during pregnancy. The parents allege that the drug maker failed to adequately warn consumers or the medical community about the potential side effects of the antidepressant on unborn children.

The complaint was filed by Jade and Jason Byington on July 13, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

What is Zoloft?

As a Bard Avaulta Vaginal Mesh injury and recall attorney I am reporting this verdict against C.R. Bard, a vaginal mesh manufacturer. According to a California jury, C.R. Bard Inc. must pay $5.5 million in damages involving a vaginal-mesh implant that left a woman incontinent and in chronic pain. This jury verdict, against Bard, is the first case over the transvaginal mesh devices to go to trial.

Jurors on July 20 found that Christine Scott and her husband, from Bakersfield, deserved the damage award because of severe injuries caused by Bard’s Avaulta Plus vaginal implant.

Scott got the implant in 2008 and then had to have as many as nine surgical procedures to deal with problems the device caused. According to the plaintiffs attorney, the jury panel found that Bard was negligent in their handling of the devices, used to treat pelvic organs prolapse (POP), and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Sadly the answer is YES. As a Nuvaring Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis attorney, I have written extensively about the inherent risks associated with oral contraceptive pills containing Drospirenone, like Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella and contraceptive ring device like the NuvaRing.

According to a Danish report, some women using hormonal contraceptives other than single hormone birth control pills have an increased risk for serious blood clots.

NuvaRing Lawsuits

As a Dallas Texas Defective Drug attorney, I have written extensively about the side effects of many commonly used drugs. More recently attention as been directed at PROPECIA.

What is Propecia?

Propecia (finasteride) is a prescription medication that is marketed to help restore natural hair loss that occurs in some men. However, side effects of Propecia have been linked to sexual problems for some users, including reports of erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, genital shrinkage and problems with cognition. These issues have also been linked to severe depression and at least one man has reportedly committed suicide due to the Propecia problems.

As a Yaz Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Vein Thrombosis Attorney I have written extensively about the risks inherent in birth control pills containing Drospirenone.

According to status report held on June 22, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Bayer has reached agreements with about 33 different law firms to resolve at least 1,444 YAZ Deep Vein Thrombosis, Stroke and Pulmonary Embolism claims.

According to Bloomberg News, as of late April, Bayer faced 11,900 lawsuits over Yaz and its sister drug Yasmin in the U.S. with about 14,000 plaintiffs. Experts predict that the company may have to pay up to $2.65 billion to settle all of the pending cases.