California Injury Lawyers Blog

The family of 2-year-old River Moore is suing Johnson & Johnson for his wrongful death. The toddler died from liver failure last July after taking Children's Tylenol (the Very Berry Strawberry flavor) for his mild fever. River started spitting blood 30 minutes after and he was rushed to a hospital.

According to his family's dangerous drug lawyer, the medication has too much acetaminophen and this damaged River's liver. The Children's Tylenol that River was given was from a batch that was recalled in April 2010. (In a statement issued at the time, J & J acknowledged that some of the medications have a higher concentration of certain active ingredients than what is noted.)

The drug manufacturer said it notified doctors, consumers, regulators, and retailers about the announcement right away. However, Courthouse News reports that in their dangerous drug complaint, Katy and Daniel Moore are claiming that not only did the defendants disregard poor manufacturing conditions, but also, Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary McNeil Consumer Healthcare had contractors secretly go to stores that carried the tainted products and purchase all of them in an attempt to keep the recall a low profile one.

The Moores are accusing J & J of numerous offenses, including breach of warranty, recklessness, infliction of emotional distress, willful and reckless behavior causing death, and conspiracy. They are also suing three J & J subsidiaries, J & J CEO William Weldon, other company executives, ex- consumer health business head Colleen Goggins, and distributors and retailers who handled the drug. The family wants compensatory damages, punitive damages, interest, and payment of their legal fees.

"Unfortunately, there are prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications that end up causing thousands of deaths each year because drug manufacturers prioritized profits over people," said Orange County, California dangerous drug lawyer Vincent Howard. "It is our job to help our clients successfully navigate our complex legal system so they can receive the compensation that they are owed."

The Children's Tylenol recall is one of more than two dozen recalls that J & J has announced since September 2009. The nonprescription meds Motrin, Tylenol, and Benadryl are among these drugs.

"While no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a child, it can allow you to hold the negligent parties responsible for their actions," said Anaheim dangerous drug attorney Vincent Howard.

Couple says defective recalled Children's Tylenol killed 2-year-old son; J&J disputes that, The Washington Post/AP, January 5, 2011

Grieving Parents Blast J&J 'Stealth Recall', Courthouse News Services, January 4, 2012

More Blog Posts:
Yasmin/Yaz Birth Control Pills: FDA Advisory Panel Advises Including Blood Clot Warning on Their Labels, California Injury Lawyers Blog, December 31, 2011

$48.1M Los Angeles Products Liability Verdict Awarded to Man That Took Motrin and Developed SJS and TEN, California Injury Lawyers Blog, October 7, 2011

Food and Drug Administration Advisory Panel is Worried about the Number of Injuries Linked to Fosamax, California Injury Lawyers Blog, September 16, 2011

Continue reading "Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Seeks Blames Children's Tylenol for Toddler's Death " »

A US Food and Drug Administration advisory panel is recommending that the labeling on Yasmin and Yaz birth control pills be revised to include a warning that taking them may increase the risk of potentially fatal blood clots in the lungs and legs. Granted, while two to four out of every 10,000 women have been known to develop blood clots while taking birth control pills, independent studies have shown that Yaz and Yasmin, in particular, can increase the risk of blood clots two to three times higher risk of blood clots.

The FDA advisory panel met earlier this month. In a 21-5 vote, they determined that the current labeling for Yaz and Yasmin, which only notes that different studies have arrived at conflicting outcomes about whether the blood clot risk is higher, are inadequate. The panel wants more conclusive research conducted.

"A pharmaceutical company's failure to warn of possible health risks from taking any medication can be grounds for a California products liability lawsuit," said Howard Law, PC partner and Anaheim dangerous drug lawyer Vincent Howard. "Do not hesitate to contact our Orange County, California law firm to request your free case evaluation.

The advisory panel met seven months after the FDA announced it would begin looking into this matter. After commissioning a study that found that taking drospirenone-laden birth control pills, such as Yasmin or Yaz, can up the risk of blood clots, the federal agency put out a safety communication in September expressing its lingering concerns.
The panel is now calling for more conclusive research.

Initially marketed as a birth control pill that not just prevents pregnancy but also clears up skin problems and relieves premenstrual syndrome, in the last decade, tens of millions of women turned to Yaz. A few years back, however, Bayer was forced to pull ads claiming this pill treats PMS, which it doesn't.

According to ABCNews.com, one woman, who started taking Yaz in 2007 to help her acne and bloating, is now blind. 24-year-old Carissa Ubersox believes this is because she took this pill. Three months after she started taking Yaz, she developed blood clots in her legs that ended up in her lungs. She also suffered a massive double pulmonary embolism and ended up in a coma for nearly two weeks.

Ubersox is now suing Bayer for products liability. She is one of thousands that have filed dangerous drug complaints against Bayer, which makes the drug. Bayer, however continues to deny wrongdoing.

"Drug manufacturers must be held accountable for medications that are less safe than what they are touted as--especially if serious injuries result," says Orange County, California products liability attorney Vincent Howard.

Yasmin and Yasmin have also been linked to gallbladder and circulatory illnesses. They also may increase blood potassium levels to the point that heart attacks, strokes, liver tumors, and death can result.

FDA to Review Safety Issues Surrounding Leading Birth Control Pill Yaz, ABC News, December 6, 2011

FDA wants blood clot risks added to Yaz labels, CBS, December 9, 2011

More Blog Posts:
California Products Liability: Defective Hip Implant Devices Continue Causing Injuries, California Injury Lawyers Blog, December 30, 2011

California Products Liability?: FDA Warns that Lap-Band Ads are Misleading, California Injury Lawyers Blog, December 14, 2011

Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits Raise Questions About FDA's Medical Device Review Process, California Injury Lawyers Blog, October 20, 2011

Continue reading "Yasmin/Yaz Birth Control Pills: FDA Advisory Panel Advises Including Blood Clot Warning on Their Labels" »

Christopher Trejo, 22, has been awarded $48.1 million in his Los Angeles dangerous drug lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, Mcneil Consumer Healthcare, and McKesson Corp. Mcneil Consumer Healthcare, which makes Motrin, is a J & J subsidiary.

Trejo was 15 when he took Motrin to alleviate his fever and his pains from playing soccer in 2005. Not long after, the Westchester resident was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and then later Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. The illnesses left him with severe skin lesions, vision problems (he expects to be completely blind in the future) and damage to his internal organs. He also was hospitalized for days because he required treatment for his wounds, which appeared all over his body and have been likened to second-degree burns.

Trejo has lost his senses of taste and smell. He also says that his mucous membranes have also been impacted and that, as a result, his eyelids and mouth can become sealed. Trejo, who is a manager at McDonald's says that customers don't want him to serve them because they think he suffers from conjunctivitis.

In his Los Angles products liability complaint, filed in 2008, Trejo claimed design defect, negligence, and failure to warn about possible side effects. It wasn't until 2006 that Motrin added warnings of possible blisters, rashes, and red skin on its label.

The jury awarded Trejo $21.1 million for pain and suffering, $11.4 million for medical expenses and lost wages, and punitive damages: $8.79 million against Johnson & Johnson, and $6.8 million against McNeil.

Punitive Damages
Unlike compensatory damages, which are to compensate the plaintiff and make him/her whole, punitive damages are considered punishment for the defendant, as well as to discourage future bad conduct. Not every case that ends in favor of plaintiff will result in punitive damages.

In Trejo's Los Angeles dangerous drug lawsuit, his personal injury attorney had called for punitive damages, saying it would send a message to the defendants. The lawyer argued that J & J and McNeil waited to add warnings to the label for economic reasons, including "profit" and to "avoid the sales implications.' Trejo had said that if the warning of rashes, blister, and skin reddening had been on the Motrin label in 2005, he wouldn't have taken the medication.

The verdict in his California products liability case comes four months after another jury awarded the family of Brianna Maya $10 million for the burns and blindness she experienced after taking Children's Motrin in 2000. Brianna was 3 when she developed SJS and TEN.

$48M awarded to man in Motrin blood blisters case, SeattlePI, October 4, 2011

Motrin Lawsuit: Jury Awards Girl $10 Million for Burns and Blindness, ABC News, June 3, 2011

More Blog Posts:
Los Angeles Dangerous Drug Trial: Man Claims Motrin Caused Him to Develop Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, California Injury Lawyers Blog, August 23, 2011

Food and Drug Administration Advisory Panel is Worried about the Number of Injuries Linked to Fosamax, California Injury Lawyers Blog, September 16, 2011

Are SSRI Antidepressants Dangerous Drugs?: Their Link to Birth Defects, California Injury Lawyers Blog, August 19, 2011

Continue reading "$48.1M Los Angeles Products Liability Verdict Awarded to Man That Took Motrin and Developed SJS and TEN" »

A US Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has said that there isn't enough information available for it to recommend limits for how long a patient should take a bisphosphonate drug to treat osteoporosis. The panel, however, did say that it was concerned about the number of women claiming to have developed thigh fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw after taking Fosamax and similar medications over several years. Numerous Fosamax fracture lawsuits have even been filed. During its meeting on Friday, the panel voted in favor of adding more information on labels about the medications' effectiveness and safety when taken long-term--over three to five years.

Some four to five million people have prescriptions for a bisphosphonate drug filled each year. Actonel, Aclasta, Bonevia, Altevia, and Reclast are other biphosphonates. The Risk Management Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs and the Drug Safety make up the FDA's advisory panel.

Fosamax, from Merck & Co, was approved in 1995 as the first approved bisphosphonate. At that time it was believed that Fosamax could be used indefinitely. Now, however, some researchers are wondering whether the benefits of taking the drug--the medication slows the bone breakdown that can come with aging--outweigh the possibility that it may also cause the bones to become so brittle that jaw death and/or thigh fractures can occur.

According to The Wall Street Journal, one California woman who testified before the FDA advisory panel said that her fracture occurred last May while she was throwing an item in the trash. She experienced a snap and then severe pain. Prior to her injury, Lanter, 68, would bike 25 miles each week and hike three miles a day. She had been taking Fosamax to treat her osteoporosis for nine years. There were other women that also testified before the FDA advisory panel about their fractures. X-rays of the injuries demonstrated the type of bone breaks that are usually associated with those sustained in car accidents.

The FDA is now reconsidering whether it will keep approving bisphosphonates for preventing osteoporosis. It, too, is looking at whether the suspected injury risks are worth the health benefits. It was just last year that, because of these concerns, the FDA recommended that doctors periodically reassess whether a patient should keep taking bisphosphonates.

Recently, questions have also been raised over whether Fosamax causes Esophageal ulcers and inflammation, which can lead to cancer.

Fosamax Lawsuits
Our Anaheim Fosamax fracture lawyers represent clients that have suffered thigh fractures, osteonecrosis of the jaw, severely suppressed bone turnover, and other serious side effects while taking this drug. We are experienced in holding drug manufacturers liable for Orange County, California personal injury.

FDA panel unclear on osteoporosis drug labels, CBS News, September 12, 2011

FDA Panel: Won't Make Treatment Recommendation For Osteoporosis Drugs, Wall Street Journal, September 9, 2011

More Blog Posts:
FDA Advisory Panel to Review Risks Associated with Taking Fosamax, California Injury Lawyers Blog, September 8, 2011

Does Fosamax Increase the Risk of Esophageal Cancer?, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 31, 2011

Federal Fosamax Lawsuits Over Femur Fractures to be Coordinated Under Multidistrict Litigation, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 29, 2011

This week, a panel of outside advisors to the US Food and Drug Administration are getting together to examine the risks linked to long-term use of bisphosphonate drugs. Our Orange County, California Fosamax lawyers will be watching these developments closely.

Fosamax, which is a popular osteoporosis drug, is made by Merck. In recent years, however, there has been growing concern that using this medication can lead to actual bone problems, including femur fractures and jawbone deterioration.

In the background document released this week by the FDA in advance of the advisory panel meeting, it was revealed that some officials are recommending that women use Fosamax for no more than five years--especially considering that most benefits from the medication occur within the first three years. "Drug holidays," which involves taking breaks from a medication, will also be considered. The also document notes that although there is currently no concrete evidence that bisphosphonates cause jaw injuries and femur fractures, such outcomes could not be ruled out especially because they are so had to study.

The FDA advisory panel is expected to make recommendations on regulatory actions to protect consumers. Boniva, Atelvia, and Actonel are among the other bisphosphonates that the FDA advisory panel will evaluate.

More than 1600 Fosamax fracture lawsuits have been filed by against Merck consumers complaining of serious bone injuries after taking the medication. In Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and Orange County, California, our Anaheim dangerous drug lawyers would like to offer you a free consultation to determine whether you have a case.

Among those suing Merck for products liability is Linda Secrest, who now has osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). This is another bellwether case involving Fosamax. A bellwether trial is one that is expected to gage future trends related to a specific type of litigation. Numerous plaintiffs that have filed complaints on the grounds of the same claim/theory are usually a factor.

Although a District Judge recently ruled that Secrest can move ahead with her design defect claim against the drug maker, she will not be able to bring forward her claim that Merck did not warn about possible complications. She is also not going to be allowed to pursue punitive damages.

Between 2005 and 2009, about 5.1 to 5.7 million people were given prescriptions for Fosamax in the US. The majority of patients where in the over 55 age range.

Kenan used Fosamax between 1998 and 2005. In addition to ONJ, she claims that taking the drug caused her to suffer injuries to her oral cavity and jaw.

It is important that you worth with an Anaheim products liability law firm that is not afraid (and knows how to) pursue compensation from a drug manufacturer. Our Orange County, California dangerous drug lawyers know how upsetting it can be to discover that your health occurred because of the medication that your doctor prescribed.

F.D.A. Staff: 5 Years May Be Enough for Bone Drugs, The New York Times, September 9, 2011

Read the FDA's Background Document for the Advisory Committee, FDA.gov

FDA to Review Safety of Osteoporosis Drugs as Lawsuit Begins in Bellwether Trial, ABA Journal, September 6, 2011

Judge narrows benchmark Fosamax case vs. Merck, Reuters, August 31, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Fosamax, Web MD

Merck

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

More Blog Posts:
Does Fosamax Increase the Risk of Esophageal Cancer?, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 31, 2011

Federal Fosamax Lawsuits Over Femur Fractures to be Coordinated Under Multidistrict Litigation, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 29, 2011

Fosamax: FDA to Form Advisory Committee to Explore Benefits and Risks of Long-Term Bisphosphonate Treatment of Osteoporosis, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 24, 2011

Continue reading "FDA Advisory Panel to Review Risks Associated with Taking Fosamax" »

The Los Angeles products liability trial is underway in the California dangerous drug case filed by Christopher Trejo. The 22-year-old Honduran national, who lives in the US, is suing Johnson & Johnson, McKesson Corp., and McNeil Consumer Healthcare for personal injury. Trejo claims that he developed toxic epidermal necrolysis from taking Motrin.

In his Los Angeles dangerous drug complaint, Trejo says that he took Motrin for a fever in 2005 when he was 15 and that he followed the instructions that came with the medicine. Four days later, bloody bumps appeared in his mouth and his eyes became red. He was hospitalized and diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which is a life-threatening disease that can damage the different organs and systems of the body. Skin lesions also showed up on his face, abdominal area, genitals, and other parts of his body. This was when his diagnosis was changed to toxic epidermal necrolysis.

After just a few days in the hospital, Trejo's skin started to come off his body, feet, hands, and nails. A surgeon who testified at the trial says that Trejo's wounds can be compared second-degree burns. Trejo's private parts, internal organs, and eyes have all suffered damage from TEN. He also has lost his senses of smell and taste.

Trejo is accusing J & J of failing to warn of the risks of SJS and TEN associated with taking Motrin. He also claims that the drug manufacturer misrepresented the results of the study to the Food and Drug Administration and wasn't entirely truthful about the risk of SJS when it said the drug could be sold without a prescription. The painkiller, when it used to be a prescription-only drug, apparently came with an SJS warning risk.

It was just earlier this year that a California appeals court decided that Trejo could pursue punitive damages from J & J. The appellate court supported a lower court's ruling that felt such damages should be allowed because the drug maker's decision to not to properly warn the public about TENS and SJS could be considered malice.

Drug manufacturers are supposed to warn about side effects and possible risks associated with taking a medication. While some drugs can be old over the counter, others must come with a prescription from a physician. They also should include instructions on how to properly use the drug.

Motrin
Motrin contains ibuprofin and is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Some signs that a person who has taken Motrin may be experiencing serious side effects include swelling on the face, throat, or tongue, hives, chest pain, breathing problems, vision problems, slurred speech, balance problems, tarry, bloody, or black stools, and vomiting or coughing up unusual-looking blood. If J & J knew that Motrin could cause some people to develop SJS and TENS, the company could likely be found negligent for allowing a dangerous drug to enter the marketplace without adequate warnings about these risks.

Motrin Caused Burn-Like Wounds, Surgeon Says, Santa Monica Patch, August 18, 2011

Man claims Motrin turned his life into a nightmare, Daily Breeze, August 17, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Motrin

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

More Blog Posts:
Are SSRI Antidepressants Dangerous Drugs?: Their Link to Birth Defects, California Injury Lawyers Blog, August 19, 2011

Does Fosamax Increase the Risk of Esophageal Cancer?, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 31, 2011

$2M Accutane Lawsuit Awarded to Woman Who Developed Ulcerative Colitis, California Injury Lawyers Blog, May 3, 2011

According to a number of studies, SSRI antidepressants can up the risk of a pregnant mom delivering an infant with birth defects. SSRI, which stands for Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, is a class of drugs that includes the medications Zoloft, Prozac, Symbyax, Paxil, Cymbalta, Celexa, Lexapro, and Effexor. Usually prescribed to treat depression, there is now growing concern that these antidepressants are dangerous drugs for pregnant women and their babies. If you believe your child was born with a birth defect because you or your significant other took SSRI antidepressants while pregnant, do not hesitate to contact Howard Law right away. We are an Anaheim products liability law firm that represents clients throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.

Among researchers' findings are the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006. Per the study, women in their third trimester of pregnancy had a greater chance of delivering children with birth defects, such as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), when they took SSRIs during their third trimester. PPHN is a lung disorder that can cause the arteries to become severely restricted and the blood pressure in the heart's pulmonary artery to go up to extremely high levels. The kidneys, liver, and brain of a baby with PPHN may also become severely stressed. PPHN can lead to heart failure, seizures, kidney failure, shock, organ damage, brain hemorrhage, breathing problems, hearing problems, and developmental disorders.

Another study reported that babies of moms who took SSRIs while they were pregnant ended up suffering withdrawal symptoms from the antidepressants after they were born. Tremors and gastrointestinal issues were among the side effects.

Still another study, associated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that babies from moms who had taken SSRI antidepressants while pregnant were at greater risk of developing Anencephaly (being born without a forebrain), Omphalocele (being born with organs outside the body), and Craniosyntosis (the knitting of the bones of a baby's skull).

Some SSRI antidepressants have also been linked to congenital heart defects that can cause a child to have to undergo multiple surgeries as he/she matures into adulthood. Possible congenital heart defects:

• Tricuspic Atresia
• Pulmonary Atresia
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Truncus Arteriosus
• Double Aortic Arch

Pulmonary Stenosis and Clubfoot have also been linked to SSRI antidepressants. Also, recently, a case-control study showed that kids who experienced prenatal exposure to SSRIs had an increased chance of developing autism spectrum disorder. The findings were reported online in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The researchers, however, were also quick to conclude that prenatal SSRI exposure is not a huge risk factor for ASD.

Drug manufacturers are supposed to only market and sell drugs that are safe for use. They are also supposed to warn of serious side effects. Unfortunately, dangerous drugs can cause birth defects and other serious injuries.

Our Orange County, California SSRI birth defect attorneys would like to offer you a free case evaluation.

Pregnant Mothers Should Not Take SSRI Antidepressants, Huffington Post, July 21, 2007

SSRIs and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, Massachusetts Genera Hospital, April 24, 2006

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Mayo Clinic

First-Trimester Use of Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors and the Risk of Birth Defects, The New England Journal of Medicine, June 28, 2007

More Blog Posts:
Does Fosamax Increase the Risk of Esophageal Cancer?, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 31, 2011

FDA Turns Down Merck's Bid To Get Gardasil Approved as an HPV Vaccine for Women 27 and Older, California Injury Lawyers Blog, May 13, 2011

Botox Lawsuit: Allergan Ordered by Jury to Pay $212M Verdict to Man Who Suffered Brain Damage After Taking Drug to Treat Hand Cramps, California Injury Lawyers Blog, April 30, 2011

Federal regulators are trying to determine whether Fosamax and other bisphosphonates drugs may up the risk of esophageal cancer. The Food and Drug Administration says a review has been launched into this matter. If you believe that you or someone you love is suffering serious health issues and that this may be a result of taking a bisphosphonate drug, contact our Los Angeles Fosamax drug law firm today.

Right now, there is conflicting information about whether this may be the case. One study, from the U.K. General Practice Research Database, said that taking oral bisphosphonates for over 3 years (or for more than 10 prescriptions) doubled the risk of esophageal cancer. Meantime, other studies show that these drugs do not increase the risk of cancer and may even decrease it.

Oral bisphosphonates have, however, been known to cause esophageal ulcers and inflammation--especially when used incorrectly. These side effects can be possible precursors for cancer.

Esophageal Cancer
This cancer affects the esophagus, which is the tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is typically not curable. Treatment--if the cancer hasn't spread elsewhere--can improve chances of survival. If the cancer has spread, then treatment can help relieve symptoms, which may include backwards movement of food through the esophagus, chest pain, problems swallowing, vomiting of blood, heartburn, and severe weight loss.

Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, Atelvia, Skelid, and Didronel are among the medications that the FDA is looking at to see whether there is a link to esophageal cancer. These medications are taken to treat osteoporosis.

Fosamax Lawsuits
Fosamax is already linked to serious jaw problems and femur fractures. These health complications have resulted in hundreds of dangerous drug lawsuits against pharmaceutical company Merck alleging products liability.

Our Anaheim dangerous drug lawyers represent patients who have suffered serious health complications or injuries from taking medications that were not safe for them to use or whose manufacturers failed to warn about the risks.

FDA Studying Link Between Bisphosphonates, Esophageal Cancer, Medscape, July 21, 2011

FDA Reviewing Osteoporosis Drugs for Esophageal Cancer Risk, Bloomberg, July 21, 2011

Esophageal Cancer Symptoms, Mayo Clinic

Related Web Resources:
FDA

Bisphosphonates

More Blog Posts:
Federal Fosamax Lawsuits Over Femur Fractures to be Coordinated Under Multidistrict Litigation, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 29, 2011

Fosamax: FDA to Form Advisory Committee to Explore Benefits and Risks of Long-Term Bisphosphonate Treatment of Osteoporosis, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 24, 2011

Fosamax Lawsuit: Retired Teacher Sues Merck After She Breaks Her Thigh Bone, California Injury Lawyers Blog, June 30, 2011

Our Anaheim Fosamax fracture lawyers represent clients who have suffered serious side effects from taking this and other drugs. Already, hundreds of people throughout the use have filed their dangerous drug lawsuits against pharmaceutical company Merck because they believe Fosamax made them more susceptible to femur fractures and other serious injuries. If you or someone who has been taking this drug for sometime and you fractured your femur, contact our Orange County, California products liability law firm and ask for your free case evaluation.

In recent Fosamax news, several lawyers have been assigned to leadership positions in the multidistrict litigation for Fosamax lawsuits. The appointments were made by U.S. District Judge Garrett E. Brown, Jr., who is overseeing all federal Fosamax lawsuits over femur fractures. The attorneys are tasked with executing certain actions during the pretrial litigation that will benefit all plaintiffs. Their responsibilities include receiving and distributing motions, orders, and pleadings and keeping up a complete document depository.

The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all Fosamax lawsuits over fractured bones to Brown. The complaints are similar in that they allege that using Fosamax can up the risk of a person developing atypical femur fractures. The plaintiffs are accusing Merck of failing to adequately warn consumers of the risks and not properly researching the drug.

Some 60 federal lawsuits over Fosamax and femur fractures have been sent to MDL. There are also numerous dangerous drug lawsuits against Merck over Fosamax that are making their way through the state courts.

A fracture femur involves breakage of the femur (thigh bone), which is the body's longest bone. Signs you may be suffering from a fractured femur:
• Leg deformity
• Severe pain
• Not being able to move your leg
• Tissue swelling
• Bone fragments protruding from the skin

U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation

Fosamax

Femur Fractures, AAOS

Merck

More Blog Posts:
Fosamax: FDA to Form Advisory Committee to Explore Benefits and Risks of Long-Term Bisphosphonate Treatment of Osteoporosis, California Injury Lawyers, July 24, 2011

Fosamax Lawsuit: Retired Teacher Sues Merck After She Breaks Her Thigh Bone, California Injury Lawyers, June 30, 2011

Fosamax Drug Linked to Dead Jaw, California Injury Lawyers, June 15, 2011

Continue reading "Federal Fosamax Lawsuits Over Femur Fractures to be Coordinated Under Multidistrict Litigation" »

In the wake of the growing number of dangerous drug lawsuits claiming that use of Fosamax and other bisphosphonate drugs is linked to jawbone death and atypical femur fractures in osteoporosis patients, the Food and Drug Administration has announced that it will set up an advisory committee to explore the benefits and risks of using this medications. Fosamax is manufactured by Merck & Co, which has been the named the defendant of approximately 1,000 products liability lawsuits over the drug. Other bisphosphonates that will be part of the discussion include Reclast, Boniva, Atelvia, and Actonel, Fosamax Plus D, Actonel with Calcium, and Reclast.

Since the FDA approved Fosamax in 1995, more than 20 million people have taken the medication. Fosamax is the brand name for alendronate, which is a kind of bisphosphonate drug. It is used to treat osteoporosis in both men and women, including postmenopausal females and men and women whose osteoporosis was steroid induced. It is also commonly used to treat Paget's disease.

In addition to the Fosamax lawsuits and other complaints, numerous studies have reported that severely suppressed bone turnover may be linked with taking Fosamax for an extended period of time. If you or someone you love has suffered the complications and conditions after taking Fosamax or another bisphosphonate, you should speak with our Orange County, Ca. Fosamax lawyers right away so we can help you determine whether or not you have a California dangerous drug claim.

If you'd like more information about the FDA's committee and their findings, you should contact the FDA. The Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee meeting will take place in Adelphi, Maryland at the Marriott Inn and Conference Center on September 9, 2011.

September 9, 2011: Joint Meeting of the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement, FDA, September 9, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Fosamax, NIH

Food and Drug Administration

Merck

More Blog Posts:
Fosamax Lawsuit: Retired Teacher Sues Merck After She Breaks Her Thigh Bone, California Injury Lawyers, June 30, 2011

Fosamax Drug Linked to Dead Jaw, California Injury Lawyers, June 15, 2011

Does Fosamax Up the Risk of Femur Fractures? New England Journal of Medicine Says Yes, California Injury Lawyers Blog, June 9, 2011

A 62-year-old retired teacher is suing Merck & Co. for her injuries she says she sustained because she took Fosamax for eight years. Lois Takamori broke her thigh bone in 2009 while talking to friends at a gym.

In her Fosamax lawsuit, Takamori says that she started taking the drug in 2001 after she was diagnosed with osteoporosis. The drug is commonly prescribed to prevent bone deterioration, especially in women. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that use of Fosamax, or other bisphosphonates, for more than a few years can lead to spontaneous fractures. For example, Takamori, who is from Hawaii, says that all she did was take "onestep backward" when she experienced "excruciating pain."

In an ABCNews.com article published in 2010, Dr. Kenneth Egol said that X-rays of some patients' spontaneous fractures showed the injury to be more severe that what one from a small fall should have been. Takamori says that following the injury accident, she had to undergo multiple surgeries to fix the fracture, which hasn't fully healed. Not only does she continue to feel discomfort, but also she can only walk with the help of a cane.

California Fosamax Lawsuits:
If you or someone you love suffered a bone fracture or another type of injury that you believe occurred from taking Fosamax, it is important that you explore your legal options with an experienced Anaheim dangerous drug lawyer immediately. StarAdvertiser.com reports that there are 40 other Fosamax cases similar to Takamori's dangerous drug lawsuits that are still pending. Also, the media outlet reports that as of March 31, there were some 1,450 Fosamax cases filed against Merck for other bone injuries.

Drug manufacturers can be tough when it comes to fighting them for liability. You need to make sure that you have someone on your side that knows how to prove negligence and can make sure that you obtain your compensation from the negligent party.

Isle woman sues drugmaker after breaking thigh bone, StarAdvertiser, June 30, 2011

Osteoporosis Drugs, Like Fosamax May Increase Risk of Broken Bones in Some Women, ABC News, March 8, 2010

More Blog Posts:
Fosamax Drug Linked to Dead Jaw, California Injury Lawyers Blog, June 15, 2011

Does Fosamax Up the Risk of Femur Fractures? New England Journal of Medicine Says Yes, California Injury Lawyers Blog, June 9, 2011

FDA Turns Down Merck's Bid To Get Gardasil Approved as an HPV Vaccine for Women 27 and Older, California Injury Lawyers Blog, May 13, 2011

Our Anaheim products liability lawyers represent victims injured because they took medications that caused them serious injury, health complications, or death. Fosamax, which is an oral bisphosphonate used by osteoporosis patients, is one of a number of drugs linked to serious conditions, including Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (also known as Dead Jaw Syndrome).

ONJ can cause the jaw to feel numb and heavy and may lead to dental complications, swelling up the gums, loosening of the teeth, tooth pain, jaw abscesses, infection, and the death of portions of the jaw. Women are reportedly at higher risk of suffering from ONJ because they are more likely than men to sustain bone-related conditions that require that they take a bisphosphonate. Fosamax is also administered to patients suffering from Paget's disease, as well as some kinds of cancer that can spread to the bone and.

It is unacceptable for a drug manufacturer to sell any drug that is so dangerous that it can cause serious injuries or illness. If there are any side effects, it is the drug maker's responsibility to warn about them so that patients and doctors are aware of the risks involved.

Our Orange County, California Fosamax injury lawyers know how to prove liability. We are not afraid to go up against large drug manufacturers so that our clients can recoup their compensation for products liability, personal injury, or wrongful death. Merck & Company manufactures Fosamax.

Other Possible Fosamax Side Effects:
• Nausea
• Gastro Intestinal Abnormalities
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence
• Esophagus ulceration
• Obstipation
• Eye problems
• Muscle pain
• Bone pain
• Joint pain
• Skin rash
• Stevens Johnson Syndrome
• TEN

Unfortunately, there are drugs that have been approved by the FDA that end up later proving dangerous.

Fosamax, NIH

Bisphosphonates

More Blog Posts:
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FDA Turns Down Merck's Bid To Get Gardasil Approved as an HPV Vaccine for Women 27 and Older, California Injury Lawyers Blog, May 13, 2011

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Continue reading "Fosamax Drug Linked to Dead Jaw" »

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, there may be a link between bisphosphonates and severe bone breaks. Bisphosphonates are osteoporosis drugs and Fosamax is one of them. If you suffered a femur fracture or another type of bone injury and you are or have been a Fosamax user, our Anaheim products liability lawyers want to talk to you.

The researchers say that because bisphosphonates can reduce bone remodeling, this could cause the skeleton to "freeze." If this happens, microcracks may accumulate and develop into stress fractures, including severe bone breaks to the thighbone, which is also known as the femur.

Signs you may be suffering from a femoral facture:

• Severe pain
• Deformity
• Swelling
• Not being able to move the leg

Fractures to the thighbone can be a very serious injury and normally require a lot of force before occurring. However, bisphosphonates have been linked to atypical femur fractures, which don't require a lot of force to happen.

Fosamax-linked femur fractures can occur when someone is sitting, standing, or walking. The NEJM says that within the first two years of taking bisphosphonate, the risk of an atypical fracture went up by 10 times in women users age 55 and over who were users. After that risk of an atypical fracture became 50 times greater than normal. Most atypical fractures linked to bisphosphonate use occurred within a year after the patient's last prescription. That said, for each year since the last time the patient took the drug, the risk factor went down 70%.

Fosamax is made by Merck & Company. Other bisphosonate-class osteoporosis drugs include Boniva, Reclast, Zometa, Skelid, Didronel, and Actonel.

The New England Journal of Medicine

Fosamax, National Institute of Health

Femur Fracture, Medscape

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Continue reading "Does Fosamax Up the Risk of Femur Fractures? New England Journal of Medicine Says Yes" »

The US Food and Drug Administration recently turned down an application by Merck to approve Gardasil as a vaccine against the human papillomavirus for women 27 and older. The FDA says it wants the pharmaceutical company to include a statement on its vaccine label noting that the drug isn't proven to prevent HPV-linked complication in women over 26.

Gardasil protects against the four HPV strains that are most likely to cause genital warts and cervical cancer. It also is supposed to cancers of the vagina and vulva, as well as anal cancer in both sexes. In 2006, the drug was approved for use by females, ages 9 to 26. In 2009, the vaccine was approved for males in the same age range. That said, our Anaheim products liability lawyers would like you to be aware that serious side effects can result from using this vaccine.

Since 2006, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System has received over 15,000 reports of adverse effects, including at least 44 deaths.

Other possible Gardasil side effects:
• Seizures
• Optic lesions
• Spontaneous abortion
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• Paralysis
• Convulsions
• Anaphylactic shock
• Coma
• Blood clots
• Miscarriage

Merck has taken aggressive steps to market the drugs so that parents would make sure their daughters receive the Gardasil vaccine. Yet some of the health complications reported have occurred to young girls and teenagers.

Our Anaheim personal injury law firm represents clients who suffered health complication from taking Gardasil and other vaccines and medications. Drug makers should be held liable for drugs that prove dangerous for use. They also can be held responsible for failing to warn of side effects.

FDA: Gardasil not effective in women 27 or older, Consumer Reports, April 8, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Gardasil

Reports of Health Concerns Following HPV Vaccination, CDC

Human papillomaviruses and Cancer, National Cancer Institute

Food and Drug Administration

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Continue reading "FDA Turns Down Merck's Bid To Get Gardasil Approved as an HPV Vaccine for Women 27 and Older" »

A jury has awarded $2 million to a woman who says that taking Accutane caused her to develop ulcerative colitis. Gillian Gaghan says that the acne medication left her without bowel control at night and also caused her to develop lupus-like symptoms.

More than 16 million people use Accutane, which is from the pharmaceutical company Roche. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug to treat serious acne in the early 1980's. However, since then, hundreds of people have come forward to file Accutane lawsuits claiming that the medication has caused bowel problems and other serious health issues. They contend that they were not warned of the side effects. Roche has had to pay over $56 million in jury awards so far.

Although Roche maintains that the drug is safe, it pulled the drug in 2009. Accutane has since been discontinued. However, its generic, isotretinoin, is still available. It is also still prescribed under a number of other names, including Raccutane, Ratane, Amnesteem, Decutan, Claravis, Sotret, and Istane.

Possible Serious Accutane Side Effects:
• Crohn's disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Unfortunately, the same jury that awarded Gaghan her dangerous drug compensation declined to do the same for two other plaintiffs involved in this trial. They found that plaintiff James Marshall had a pre-existing medical condition and that the drug manufacturer's failure to warn of side effects did not play a role in plaintiff Kelly Andrews' decision to take Accutane.

When serious side effects occur because a drug proved dangerous for use and/or the manufacturer did not warn about the risks that could result from taking the medication, the pharmaceutical company can be held liable for California products liability.

Accutane Trial Ends With $2 Million Verdict for One Plaintiff, News Inferno, April 26, 2011

Roche Drug Trial Witness Dennehy Says Actor's Loss a 'Tragedy', Bloomberg, March 11, 2011

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a, California Injury Lawyers Blog, October 21, 2009