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What is "Mass Tort Litigation"?  Mass tort litigation combines many legal cases into a single trial.  Plaintiffs are treated as individuals with their own individual lawsuits.  Because each law suit is being treated individually, it is important to have the right, experienced attorney represent you. We at Spivey Law Firm , Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. Ft. Myers, FL have this experience.    

Currently, there are many mass tort matters.  Here is information on some of them:

Accutane – Individuals have joined the mass tort currently underway, which consolidates cases of Accutane that is linked to Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, and other serious Accutane side effects, including inflammatory bowel disease.

Actos and Duetact – Studies are investigating claims that the drug, prescribed to improve blood sugar  in type II diabetics, causes bladder cancer.   

Avastin – Investigations have shown breast cancer patients are more likely to be harmed by Avastin.  Avastin has been linked to bacterial contamination.  The Food and Drug Administration said Avastin’s risks include high blood pressure, bleeding, heart attack, heart failure, and perforations of parts of the body, including nose, stomach, and intestines.  

Bard Composix Kugel Hernia Mesh – There have been multiple reports of serious injuries, including bowel perforation, chronic intestinal fistula, bowel injury, and death.

Bard IVC Filter – Bard IVC Filters are often used as alternatives to anticoagulant therapy for prevention of pulmonary embolism.   IVC filter side effects can include insertion-site thrombosis, filter migration, filter fracture, heart and lung perforation, and death. 

Bard Xen Matrix Hernia Mesh – One devise made from animal tissue, the Xen Matrix surgical mesh, had to be recalled because of unsafe levels of toxins.  Thousands of people who have used the mesh have been exposed to dangerous levels of bacteria. 

Bisphosphonates (Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax, Zometa, Aredia) – Bisphosponates have been linked to jaw osteonecrosis, long bone fractures, and esophageal cancer.

Chantix – Users of Pfizer’s smoking cessation drug, Chantix, allege dangerous adverse events such as heart irregularities, seizures, abnormal behavior, and suicidal thoughts.    

Crestor – Crestor has been linked to rhabdomyolysis, a degenerative muscle condition.  These fibers produced from degenerated muscles are toxic to the kidney and often result in kidney failure.  Crestor has also been linked to cardiomyopathy and diabetes.

Gadolinium-based MRI Contrast Agents – A recent study has noted concerns over the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in patients with renal or liver disease.  Gadolinium therapies have been implicated to cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Januvia and Byetta- Type II diabetes patients have suffered serious side effects as a result of taking Januvia, generically called Sitagliptin.  Patients have been diagnosed with pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid cancer.

Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants (DeZuy, Zimmer, Stryker, and others) – When a hip implant fails, patients typically require revision surgery.  Metal-on-metal hip implants mean that all parts are made of heavy metals.  The rubbing of the metal components can result in a release of toxic metal particles into a patient’s blood stream.  Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants have been linked to device failure and loosening, inflammatory response, and metallosis.

Multaq – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety warning about the possibility of severe liver damage associated with Multaq and increased risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, and death.   

NuvaRing Contraceptive Device – Nuva Ring, birth control product, has been linked to complaints of blood clots due to the extremely high amounts of hormones released.  This can lead to strokes, heart attacks, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis. 

Osteoporosis Drugs – The FDA announced on May 9, 2012 that patients taking osteoporosis drugs, Fosamax, or any bone-building class of drugs, should be re-evaluated every 3 to 5 years to determine if it is safe for them to remain on the drugs.  The drugs have been linked to femur fractures, jaw osteonecrosis, and possible link to esophageal cancer. 

Plavix –  Plavix, a drug promoted as a popular blood thinner, has been linked to gastrointestinal bleeding, severe ulcers, heart attacks, and strokes.

Post-Operative Disposable Pain Pumps – Some manufactures of pain pumps hid the fact that use after shoulder surgery could actually worsen the injury leading to possible destruction of cartilage tissue in the shoulder joint and an extremely painful condition called chondrolysis, and  cartilage destruction.   

Pradaza – Pradaza has been linked to uncontrollable bleeding.

Propecia – Propecia, marketed as treatment for male pattern hair loss, has been found in clinical trials to be linked to negative sexual side effects and other mental and physical side effects.

Propofol – Propofol has been linked to heart failure, respiratory failure, and death.

Raptiva & Rituxan – The FDA has issued a Public Health Advisory of serious, life-threatening adverse effects associated with Raptiva, a prescription drug designed to treat psoriasis.  The drug is linked to causing neurological disease and a brain infection.

Spiriva – Spiriva respiratory inhalers may have stroke risk and have been associated with atrial fibrillation, cardiac-related death, and stroke.

SSRI Antidepressants (Paxil, Celexa, Effexor, Lexapro, Pristiq, Prozac and Zoloft) – Women who are taking or took the antidepressant drugs during pregnancy are at high risk of their children developing birth defects.   

Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Implant – Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Implant has been recalled due to device failure, metallosis, inflammatory response, and revision surgery.

Topamax – The drug Topamax, which is designed to curb epilepsy, is subject of litigation for children born with cleft palate and birth defects.   

Transvaginal Mesh, Bladder Slings & TVT Tape – These products are associated with tissue erosion and  device failure.

Tylenol – There are product liability lawsuits which set forth that Tylenol can cause liver injury and death when taken in large doses. 

Yaz, Yasmin, Beyaz, Gianvi & Ocella – These birth control products have been associated with blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder disease, pulmonary emboli, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.

Zimmer Knee Implants – Zimmer Knee Implants have been found to have device failure and loosening.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of any dangerous products, faulty medical devices,  prescriptions or dangerous drugs,  please contact us today to discuss your legal rights.

Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,500 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit www.SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can also contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier at County 239.793.7748.