Xarelto plaintiffs are asking that federal lawsuits be consolidated in East St. Louis, IL. Bloomberg reports that there are approximately 50 cases filed in 15 different federal courts to date. The plaintiffs have requested that a multidistrict litigation be formed to help move the cases along more efficiently.
Xarelto is a blood thinner that was first approved for use in 2011. The medication is intended to prevent blood clots in patients undergoing certain surgeries and for use in patients with irregular heartbeats. However, Xarelto lawsuits blame the medication for causing some patients to bleed to death. The lawsuits claim that there is no antidote for the medication and that the drugmakers played down the risks. Plaintiffs also argue that the blood thinner was not fully tested prior to its release. The medication raked in more than $2 billion in sales for drugmakers Bayer and Johnson & Johnson in 2013.
Consolidation of drug lawsuits is relatively common. The goal is to save time and money for both sides. Even so, both Bayer and J&J have opposed the consolidation and, in the event that there is consolidation, have asked that the cases be sent to a New Jersey Federal Court rather than East St. Louis.
Aside from the fifty cases in federal court, the drugmakers face state court cases filed in Pennsylvania and several other states. In Philadelphia, there have been ongoing discussions about the creation of a Philadelphia Xarelto mass tort program.
Some view Xarelto as similar to Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s blood thinner, Pradaxa. The blood thinner Pradaxa was linked to more than 500 deaths. More than 4,000 lawsuits were filed over that medicine and claims were eventually settled for a combined $650 million.
The Xarelto lawyers at Lopez McHugh are experienced in handling cases against large pharmaceutical companies whose negligence has caused harm to consumers. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury because of Xarelto or another dangerous drug, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Contact a Lopez McHugh Xarelto lawyer today to discuss your potential Xarelto lawsuit.
