Product Liability Lawsuits from Xarelto Moves Ahead

In late 2014, the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) of the U.S. Judicial Panel announced a consolidation and centralization of all Xarelto lawsuits that have been filed in federal courts before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Federal Xarelto Lawsuits

At least 86 product liability lawsuits have been presented to Bayer Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The personal injury and wrongful death claims for personal injury and wrongful death are currently pending in 24 different federal courts.

According to experts, this new-generation anticoagulant drug called Xarelto is the cause of uncontrollable bleeding to some of the users. Because of the abundant amount of personal injury cases from Xarelto, it is anticipated that eventually several thousand will be transferred into the MDL.

What is Xarelto

Bayer and Janssen Pharmaceuticals developed Xarelto in 2011 as a new generation anticoagulant. It was the second in a new generation of anticoagulants that had been released as a superior replacement for Coumadin, which has been the “gold standard” drug for prevention of blood clots and strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Although all blood thinners have side effects and increased risks of bleeding problems, Xarelto has been associated with an increasing number of adverse event reports involving uncontrollable bleeding injuries. Currently there is no approved antidote available for patients using Xarelto and many of the bleeding side effects have resulted in awful outcomes, after doctors were unable to control the bleeding.

Xarelto drug makers had claimed that it was easy to use because it does not require regular blood monitoring. However, some medical experts suggest that Carleton blood monitoring may identify patients that have a greater risk of bleeding.

Xarelto Bleeding Allegations 

The allegations are all the same in this case, stating that the drug manufacturers failed to warn users about the potential side effects of Xarelto, which caused patients to develop uncontrollable bleeding. This leads to patients being hospitalized, the need for blood transfusions and in some cases death.

In this claim, severe injuries and deaths could have been avoided had the pharmaceutical companies not provided misleading information about blood monitoring. Along with monitoring, stronger warnings should have been provided about the lack of a Xarelto reversal agent or antidote.

MDL Centralized in Eastern District of Louisiana

The Xarelto litigation has now been centralized before Judge Fallon who oversaw the MDL proceedings for thousands of Avandia lawsuits, Chinese drywall lawsuits and several other complex product liability claims.

In coordinated pharmaceutical claims, proceedings are established where the majority of lawsuits are filed over personal injuries. The MDL has an important role in streamlining the litigation process, as all plaintiffs and defendants are under one roof, coordinate discovery and the bellwether trials can be set to determine the strength of the claims.

If the parties fail to negotiate a settlement or resolve the litigation following pretrial proceedings, Judge Fallon may remand cases back to the U.S. Districts where they were originally filed.

Patients who are taking the drug long term, for problems such as atrial fibrillation, and in those taking the pill for a short time after surgery may experience severe bleeding. The bleeding can be in the form of a nosebleed that won’t stop or it can be internal bleeding that you cannot see. Internal bleeding can be fatal if not controlled. Unlike other anticoagulant drugs, Xarelto does not have a reversal agent so once the bleeding starts, it cannot be stopped until the drug is out of the patient’s system.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a personal injury, such as severe bleeding, as a result of a dangerous drug, call Balkin & Mausner. We can help you fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Visit hirethebull.com now or call us at 1-888-751-5908.