Mass Torts and Growing MDLs

Mass Torts and Growing MDLs

Introduction

Xarelto:

Lawsuits against the anti-clotting drug Xarelto, alleged to cause internal bleeding and infection in patients, are piling against the drug makers Johnson & Johnson and Bayer Corporation. Xarelto is used to treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism to reduce the risk of stroke and clotting. Earlier bellwether trials have resulted in the favor of the manufacturers. There are more than 21,000 lawsuits claiming the manufacturers downplayed the risks of Xarelto. U.S. District Court Judge Eldon Fallon is overseeing the pretrial proceedings and bellwether trials in the multidistrict litigation (MDL - 2592  In Re: Xarelto Products Liability Litigation) in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Invokana:

Lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals for type-2 diabetes medication Invokana continue to grow claiming the patients suffered amputations, diabetic ketoacidosis, and kidney damage. Considering the adverse effects of the drug, FDA ordered a black box warning to be included with Invokana, Invokamet and Invokamet XR. The first Invokana amputation trial is slated to begin in September 2018. Invokana injury lawsuits are mounting in the consolidated multidistrict litigation (MDL) before the U.S. District Court Judge Hon. Brian R. Martinotti in the District of New Jersey (MDL No: 2750).

Mirena:

The popular birth control device Mirena's manufacturer Bayer Healthcare continues to face product liability lawsuits for failing to warn patients about health risks of the IUD. Plaintiffs allege Mirena use led to vision problems, headaches, neck pain, and pseudotumor cerebri (PTC). More than 2,400 Mirena lawsuits are pending as a part of the multidistrict litigation (MDL 2434 In Re: Mirena IUD Products Liability Litigation (uterine perforation and migration) and MDL 2767 In Re: Mirena IUD Levonorgestrel-Related  Products Liability Litigation (NO. II)).

Taxotere:

Accusations from breast cancer survivors and other cancer patients against chemotherapy drug Taxotere continue to grow as a part of the multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2740 In Re: Taxotere (Docetaxel) Products Liability Litigation) before Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt in the Eastern District of Louisiana. About 7,820 lawsuits pending against Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC accuse the drugmaker of hiding the risk of permanent hair fall associated with Taxotere. The first four cases selected for bellwether will go to trial in January 2019.