The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation recently agreed to consolidate all pending federal fluoroquinolone lawsuits into a multidistrict litigation. The initial order named 20 lawsuits in 15 districts to be transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Minnesota.
Fluoroquinolones are a group of wide-spectrum antibiotics generally used to treat respiratory and urinary infections. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested in 2008 that manufacturers include a boxed warning that fluoroquinolones may cause ruptured tendons. In 2013, the agency strengthened warnings about nerve damage, or peripheral neuropathy, that could result from use of the drugs.
Plaintiffs who have filed fluoroquinolone lawsuits say that the manufacturers of drugs like Levaquin, Avelox, and Cipro failed to adequately warn doctors and patients of the neural damage risk they pose. Their claims are bolstered by recommendations made last week by an FDA panel to strengthen warnings for fluoroquinolones when used in certain treatments.
Since the initial 20 fluoroquinolone lawsuits were centralized in August, more than 180 new cases have joined the MDL. Legal experts expect federal Levaquin lawsuits, Avelox lawsuits, and Cipro lawsuits to grow into the thousands over the coming months.
Talk to your doctor about any health concerns you may have. If you or a loved one suffered peripheral neuropathy or ruptured tendons after being treated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics, you should contact the lawyers at Lopez McHugh for a free consultation. We can help you determine whether a fluoroquinolone lawsuit is right for you.
