Preview Newsletter
Xarelto Media Scan 6-12-15
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BloodThinnerHelp.com Announces New Xarelto Lawsuit In Florida
Jun 12, 2015 | WDRB
By SproutNews
BloodThinnerHelp.com reports that lawsuits are being filed throughout the country against the manufacturers of a prescription blood thinner called Xarelto. These claims allege that Xarelto (also known as Rivaroxaban) caused severe internal bleeding which led to serious injury and death. -
Medical Background to Bleeding Allegations Upcoming in Xarelto Lawsuit MDL
Jun 10, 2015 | Street Insider
By Onder Law Firm
The latest news development on the pretrial proceedings for national Xarelto lawsuits concerns Science Day, according to attorneys handling Xarelto claims. According to court documents, Science Day is a component of pretrial proceedings during which scientific and medical research relevant to the internal bleeding allegations made by plaintiffs in Xarelto lawsuits will be presented objectively and "without advocacy". Science Day will take place tomorrow, on June 11, 2015, according to court documents. These Xarelto attorneys provide regular news updates and no-cost Xarelto lawsuit case evaluation at XareltoContingencyLawsuit.com. -
Medical Background to Bleeding Allegations Upcoming in Xarelto Lawsuit MDL
Jun 10, 2015 | KTen
By Onder Law Firm
The latest news development on the pretrial proceedings for national Xarelto lawsuits concerns Science Day, according to attorneys handling Xarelto claims. According to court documents, Science Day is a component of pretrial proceedings during which scientific and medical research relevant to the internal bleeding allegations made by plaintiffs in Xarelto lawsuits will be presented objectively and “without advocacy”. -
Court Overseeing Federal Xarelto Lawsuits Issues Pretrial Order Pertaining to Treatment of Privileged and Work Product Material
Jun 9, 2015 | WTRF
By PRWeb
Discovery is moving forward in hundreds of federal Xarelto lawsuits that have been consolidated in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. According to a Pretrial Order issued on June 4th, the Court has established protocols governing the treatment of all privileged or work product materials in the proceeding. -
Study Finds Higher Risk Of Gastrointestinal Bleeding In Xarelto And Pradaxa Users Compared To Warfarin
Jun 9, 2015 | Yourlegalhelp.com
By Wright & Schulte LLC
Xarelto Bleeding Lawsuits Allege That The Blood Thinner Medication Causes Severe Or Fatal Gastrointestinal Bleeding And There Are No Antidotes To Reverse The Anticoagulant’s Bleeding Side-Effects. -
Xarelto Lawsuit Filed In New York Alleges Drug Caused Internal Bleeding Injuries
Jun 8, 2015 | 12 News
By SproutNews
A lawsuit has been filed in the New York District Court alleging that the manufacturers of Xarelto did not perform sufficient safety testing on the anticoagulant drug and failed to warn about significant risks. This is one of many Xarelto lawsuits filed after recent studies linked its use severe side effects including uncontrollable internal bleeding. -
Xarelto Lawsuit News: Federal Litigation to Convene Monthly Status Conference June 10th
Jun 5, 2015 | Benzinga
By PRWeb
Hundreds of federally-filed Xarelto lawsuits that have been consolidated in a multidistrict litigation now underway in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, continue to move forward. According to court documents, the proceeding is scheduled to convene its next monthly status conference on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. -
Xarelto Lawsuit: Drug Caused Severe Internal Bleeding
Jun 12, 2015 | Top Class Actions
By Melissa LaFreniere
A Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against Xarelto manufacturers after suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding that required a blood transfusion and lengthy hospitalization. -
Xarelto Litigation Continues to Grow
Jun 11, 2015 | Lawyersandsettlements.com
By Heidi Turner
The number of claims involved in Xarelto side effects lawsuits continues to grow as the number of people coming forward with allegations of Xarelto bleeding complications also grows. Meanwhile, litigation concerning Xarelto moves forward, with more lawsuits joining the already established multidistrict litigation. -
Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) May Cause Life-Threatening Bleeds
Jun 10, 2015 | Atlee Hall
By Melissa Jabour
Approved by the FDA in 2011, Xarelto is one of the newest anticoagulants on the market. Xarelto is a prescription medication used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. It is also used to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, in particular in patients who have recently had knee or hip replacement surgery. -
Federal Judge Announces Update in Xarelto Litigation
Jun 10, 2015 | Top Class Actions
By Amanda Antell
As the Xarelto litigation continues, Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceuticals are facing a growing number of Xarelto lawsuits that allege bleeding injuries. These Xarelto lawsuitsclaim that the manufacturing companies failed to protect plaintiffs against the risks of their product, and they suffered devastating bleeding injuries as a result. -
Xarelto Bleeding Injury Lawsuit Filed in Louisiana Court for Early Trial Proceedings
Jun 10, 2015 | Injury Lawyer News
By Whitney Taylor
A plaintiff that filed a Xarelto bleeding injury lawsuit in Louisiana alleges a serious bleeding incident while taking the anticoagulant left her with long-lasting injuries. The plaintiff’s case has been added to growing multidistrict litigation in the state, where other complaints alleging severe side effects from Xarelto are currently pending. -
Xarelto MDL to Identify Plaintiffs for Potential Inclusion in Bellwether Trials
Jun 9, 2015 | The Legal Examiner
By Roopal Lahana
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) established the Xarelto MDL on December 12, 2014. Since then, all federal cases have been transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana for pre-trial proceedings. -
Xarelto Sales Continue to Rise Even as Patients Continue to Face Complications
Jun 5, 2015 | Texas Injury Law Blog
By Majed Nachawati
Xarelto, the blockbuster anticoagulant that was approved by the FDA in 2011, has recently seen an increase in sales even as the drug continues to cause problems for a significant number of patients. -
Damning Evidence Revealed in Xarelto Lawsuit: Were Bayer and Janssen Corrupt, or Lazy?
Jun 5, 2015 | Ring of Fire
By Justin Lane
Xarelto is one of the “new generation” of anti-coagulants implicated in fatal bleeding that have no reversal agent. And (unlike rival medication Pradaxa), not even emergency dialysis to remove the drug from the system will save the patient.
Plaintiff Attorney Press Releases
Plaintiff Attorney Blogs
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BloodThinnerHelp.com Announces New Xarelto Lawsuit In Florida
Jun 12, 2015 | WDRB
By SproutNews
BloodThinnerHelp.com reports that lawsuits are being filed throughout the country against the manufacturers of a prescription blood thinner called Xarelto. These claims allege that Xarelto (also known as Rivaroxaban) caused severe internal bleeding which led to serious injury and death.
Recently, a Florida widow filed a Xarelto lawsuit against drug conglomerates Bayer AG and Johnson & Johnson, claiming that Xarelto caused internal bleeding which lead to her husband’s death. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on June 23, 2014 under the case number 9:14CV80831. For a copy of the complaint, visit bloodthinnerhelp.com.
This complaint, like most other Xarelto lawsuits, alleges that Bayer AG and Johnson & Johnson were aware of certain risks associated with the anticoagulant drug, yet failed to warn the public of those dangers. As such, the complaint focuses on design defect, failure to warn, negligent design, negligence, breach of warranty, negligent misrepresentation, violation of consumer protection laws, fraud, wrongful death (funeral burial, medical, loss of earnings and net accumulations), and punitive damages.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff’s husband was prescribed the drug on January 10, 2012 by his physician to treat deep vein thrombosis and blood clots, which he had experienced following atrial fibrillation. After taking Xarelto, he suffered from a subdural hemorrhage, which led to his hospitalization. Physicians tried to stop the subdural bleeding with a frontal bur hole with evacuation.
Unfortunately, on June 28, 2012, the plaintiff’s husband died as a result of complications. The plaintiff in this case alleges that the proximate cause of the hemorrhage was Xarelto, which her husband would not have taken had he been aware of the risks. Furthermore, the plaintiff claims that her husband would have taken safer alternatives had he been aware that they were available.
In most cases, the cause is head trauma, but light activity can also lead to this kind of bleeding. As people age, the brains around and in the brain can stretch and tear. When this happens, blood fills the cranial area and applies pressure on the tissue of the brain. The condition is very serious and often leads to a stroke and/or is fatal.
Xarelto is marketed as a blood thinner. This means it stops blood from coagulating and clotting. When someone has a subdural hemorrhage, coagulation can stop the bleeding. However, there is no antidote or reversal agent for Xarelto so a bleed in a patient taking the drug often requires drastic medical procedures, such as a full blood transfusion or a bur hole. These procedures are very risky and can lead to death.
BloodThinnerHelp.com reports that this lawsuit alleges that the manufacturers they are responsible for the wrongful death of the plaintiff’s husband. It claims that information surrounding the risks associated with the drug were concealed, that there is no reversal agent and that it was marketed with full knowledge of the risks. The lawsuit, if successful, will allow the plaintiff to receive not just financial compensation for incurred costs, but also for the loss of future income, companionship and support.
Xarelto lawyer Marc Goldich commented, “This is one of many lawsuits which have been filed after recent research has linked Xarelto to severe side effects. As a result, we are doing our best to assist victims of Xarelto throughout the country by providing updates and information on this case, as well as other pending Xarelto litigation, on BloodThinnerHelp.com.”
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Medical Background to Bleeding Allegations Upcoming in Xarelto Lawsuit MDL
Jun 10, 2015 | Street Insider
By Onder Law Firm
The latest news development on the pretrial proceedings for national Xarelto lawsuits concerns Science Day, according to attorneys handling Xarelto claims. According to court documents, Science Day is a component of pretrial proceedings during which scientific and medical research relevant to the internal bleeding allegations made by plaintiffs in Xarelto lawsuits will be presented objectively and "without advocacy". Science Day will take place tomorrow, on June 11, 2015, according to court documents. These Xarelto attorneys provide regular news updates and no-cost Xarelto lawsuit case evaluation at XareltoContingencyLawsuit.com.
"Science Day is a common part of complex litigation that involves widespread allegations regarding a pharmaceutical drug or medical device," explains Jim Onder of the Onder Law Firm. "Hundreds of Xarelto lawsuit claims have been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Louisiana in order to avoid duplicative discovery and other pretrial proceedings. Science Day sets a common background of medical and scientific research for all the consolidated cases."
A number of specific agreements apply to the Science Day for the Xarelto lawsuit MDL, according to court documents. Plaintiffs and defendants have agreed that presentations will be made on the medical condition known as atrial fibrillation, for which Xarelto is prescribed, according to court documents. Other medical topics include coagulation and anti-coagulant therapy, the approved uses of Xarelto, the existing record of Xarelto adverse events, and clinical trials of Xarelto, among other topics, according to court documents. The presenters of this information include doctors and scientists who will present the information but may not be formally questioned, according to court documents.
Each of the several hundred lawsuits now consolidated as part of the Xarelto lawsuit MDL shares common questions of fact and makes common allegations against the defendant, Janssen Research & Development; according to court documents, the plaintiffs allege they or a family members suffered a severe internal bleeding incident as a result of taking Xarelto. The claims assert that the makers of Xarelto knew or should have known – and should have warned the public – of the alleged bleeding risk from taking Xarelto, according to court documents.
Persons and the family members of persons around the country who suffered severe and unstoppable internal bleeding and have a history of taking Xarelto have filed lawsuits as part of this MDL, according to court documents. These attorneys are currently accepting new claims for possible inclusion in the Xarelto lawsuit MDL from persons who have suffered internal bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke. The Onder Law Firm is renowned for its achievements in product and consumer safety litigation, with a strong track record of winning meaningful settlements for clients. The firm is nationally-renowned for its work on window blind strangulation, and has notable expertise in fighting on behalf of individuals against powerful corporations. Individuals and the family members of individuals who have suffered from internal bleeding and have taken Xarelto are eligible for a no-cost, no-obligation Xarelto lawsuitcase review, and may contact the firm through its Xarelto Contingency Lawsuit website.
The Onder Law Firm also welcomes Xarelto lawsuit inquiries from other law firms, either to handle these inquiries or work as co-counsel.
About The Onder Law Firm
Onder, Shelton, O'Leary & Peterson, LLC is a St. Louis based personal injury law firm handling serious injury and death claims across the country. Its mission is the pursuit of justice, no matter how complex the case or strenuous the effort. Onder, Shelton, O'Leary & Peterson has represented clients throughout the United States, and other firms throughout the nation often seek its experience and expertise on complex litigation. It is a recognized leader in products liability cases such as window blind cord strangulation and pharmaceutical litigation. The Onder Law Firms Xarelto attorneys provide information to the public at http://www.XareltoContingencyLawsuit.com. -
Medical Background to Bleeding Allegations Upcoming in Xarelto Lawsuit MDL
Jun 10, 2015 | KTen
By Onder Law Firm
The latest news development on the pretrial proceedings for national Xarelto lawsuits concerns Science Day, according to attorneys handling Xarelto claims. According to court documents, Science Day is a component of pretrial proceedings during which scientific and medical research relevant to the internal bleeding allegations made by plaintiffs in Xarelto lawsuits will be presented objectively and “without advocacy”. Science Day will take place tomorrow, on June 11, 2015, according to court documents. These Xarelto attorneys provide regular news updates and no-cost Xarelto lawsuit case evaluation at XareltoContingencyLawsuit.com.
“Science Day is a common part of complex litigation that involves widespread allegations regarding a pharmaceutical drug or medical device,” explains Jim Onder of the Onder Law Firm. “Hundreds of Xarelto lawsuit claims have been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Louisiana in order to avoid duplicative discovery and other pretrial proceedings. Science Day sets a common background of medical and scientific research for all the consolidated cases.”
A number of specific agreements apply to the Science Day for the Xarelto lawsuit MDL, according to court documents. Plaintiffs and defendants have agreed that presentations will be made on the medical condition known as atrial fibrillation, for which Xarelto is prescribed, according to court documents. Other medical topics include coagulation and anti-coagulant therapy, the approved uses of Xarelto, the existing record of Xarelto adverse events, and clinical trials of Xarelto, among other topics, according to court documents. The presenters of this information include doctors and scientists who will present the information but may not be formally questioned, according to court documents.
Each of the several hundred lawsuits now consolidated as part of the Xarelto lawsuit MDL shares common questions of fact and makes common allegations against the defendant, Janssen Research & Development; according to court documents, the plaintiffs allege they or a family members suffered a severe internal bleeding incident as a result of taking Xarelto. The claims assert that the makers of Xarelto knew or should have known – and should have warned the public – of the alleged bleeding risk from taking Xarelto, according to court documents.
Persons and the family members of persons around the country who suffered severe and unstoppable internal bleeding and have a history of taking Xarelto have filed lawsuits as part of this MDL, according to court documents. These attorneys are currently accepting new claims for possible inclusion in the Xarelto lawsuit MDL from persons who have suffered internal bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke. The Onder Law Firm is renowned for its achievements in product and consumer safety litigation, with a strong track record of winning meaningful settlements for clients. The firm is nationally-renowned for its work on window blind strangulation, and has notable expertise in fighting on behalf of individuals against powerful corporations. Individuals and the family members of individuals who have suffered from internal bleeding and have taken Xarelto are eligible for a no-cost, no-obligation Xarelto lawsuit case review, and may contact the firm through its Xarelto Contingency Lawsuit website.
The Onder Law Firm also welcomes Xarelto lawsuit inquiries from other law firms, either to handle these inquiries or work as co-counsel.
About The Onder Law Firm
Onder, Shelton, O’Leary & Peterson, LLC is a St. Louis based personal injury law firm handling serious injury and death claims across the country. Its mission is the pursuit of justice, no matter how complex the case or strenuous the effort. Onder, Shelton, O’Leary & Peterson has represented clients throughout the United States, and other firms throughout the nation often seek its experience and expertise on complex litigation. It is a recognized leader in products liability cases such as window blind cord strangulation and pharmaceutical litigation. The Onder Law Firms Xarelto attorneys provide information to the public at http://www.XareltoContingencyLawsuit.com. -
Jun 9, 2015 | WTRF
By PRWeb
Discovery is moving forward in hundreds of federal Xarelto lawsuits that have been consolidated in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. According to a Pretrial Order issued on June 4th, the Court has established protocols governing the treatment of all privileged or work product materials in the proceeding. Among other things, the Order sets forth procedures for the production of privilege logs, as well as a process by which receiving parties may challenge a redaction or claim of privilege or work product.
“Our Firm is representing plaintiffs in Xarelto lawsuits, and we are pleased that the multidistrict litigation is moving forward. The establishment of these protocols will allow discovery in these cases to move forward efficiently,” says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing victims of defective medical devices and drugs. The Firm is actively filing Xarelto lawsuits in U.S. courts, and continues to evaluate claims on behalf of individuals who allegedly suffered life-threatening internal bleeding and other dangerous complications related to its use.
Xarelto Litigation
Court documents indicate that more than 430 Xarelto lawsuits have been filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana, all of which accuse the drug’s manufacturers of failing to warn patients about its alleged association with dangerous internal bleeding and other serious complications. Among other things, plaintiffs allege that sale of Xarelto were driven by marketing claims that positioned the drug as a superior alternative to warfarin, a medication that has been on the market for decades. The lawsuits point out that while hemorrhaging associated with warfarin can be stopped via the administration of vitamin K, there is currently no approved agent to reverse Xarelto bleeding. Plaintiffs also claim that the manufacturers’ contention that Xarelto patients do not require regular blood monitoring is questionable, and assert that individuals treated with the anticoagulant would benefit from such monitoring.According to court records, Xarelto was initially approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 2011, and is now indicated for the prevention of strokes in people with atrial fibrillation; the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism; and the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. The drug’s label includes a black box warning that contains information about the increased risk of blood clot formation after premature discontinuation of the medication in the absence of adequate alternative anticoagulation.*
Xarelto patients who allegedly experienced life-threatening episodes of internal bleeding and other complications related to its use may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Learn more about filing a Xarelto lawsuit by visiting Bernstein Liebhard LLP’s website, or by calling 800-511-5092 to schedule a free, no obligation case review.
About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3 billion on behalf of our clients. The National Law Journal has recognized Bernstein Liebhard for twelve consecutive years as one of the top plaintiffs' firms in the country. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is the only firm in the country to be named to this prestigious list every year since it was first published in 2003.Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
800-511-5092 -
Jun 9, 2015 | Yourlegalhelp.com
By Wright & Schulte LLC
Xarelto Bleeding Lawsuits Allege That The Blood Thinner Medication Causes Severe Or Fatal Gastrointestinal Bleeding And There Are No Antidotes To Reverse The Anticoagulant’s Bleeding Side-Effects.
As pretrial proceedings are underway forXarelto lawsuits in state and federal courts, Wright & Schulte LLC reports that a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on April 24 found that Xarelto and Pradaxa, considered newer blood thinners, may be associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding than warfarin, an older blood thinner. The law firm notes that researchers at Johns Hopkins used data on 46,163 patients who took Xarelto, Pradaxa and warfarin from October 1, 2010 through March 31, 2012. According to the law firm, researchers found a more than twofold higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with Xarelto compared to warfarin and as much as a 50 percent increase in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with Pradaxa compared with warfarin. Wright & Schulte LLC observes that the study comes at a time when the rising number of Xarelto lawsuits filed on behalf of patients who use the anticoagulant allege that they experienced life-threatening bleeding events after they began taking Xarelto, which has no antidote to stop the bleeding.
“Just as the BMJ study focused on the gastrointestinal bleeding risks, allegations in Xarelto lawsuits center on plaintiffs experiencing significant internal bleeding episodes due to using the anticoagulant,” says Wright & Schulte LLC, which is representing plaintiffs in the Xarelto litigation and others who have been injured by the harmful side-effects from prescription drugs. The law firm offers free Xarelto lawsuit reviews to individuals, or their survivors, who have experienced severe bleeding episodes or died allegedly as a result of using new generation blood thinner medications, such as Xarelto, Pradaxa or Eliquis, that do not have an antidote to reverse bleeding.
As stated in court documents and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Xarelto is an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. According to the law firm, the FDA considers Xarelto a new generation blood thinner because it came on the market nearly four years ago compared to warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), which received FDA approval 60 years ago. Xarelto complaints claim that while the blood thinner has been marketed as being more convenient to use than warfarin because patients do not need regular monitoring of their blood, Xarelto does not have an antidote should internal bleeding occur, unlike warfarin, which uses Vitamin K as an antidote for significant bleeding events.
Court documents show that the steady filing of Xarelto bleeding-side effects lawsuits prompted consolidations of the complaints. According to court records, all federally filed Xarelto lawsuits are now centralized in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana and consolidated for pretrial proceedings. (In re: Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2592) Xarelto lawsuit complaints filed in the state of Pennsylvania are now consolidated in a mass tort litigation program in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, according to court documents. (In Re: Xarelto Litigation, Case Number 150102349) The Xarelto complaints in both the state and federal litigation assert that Xarelto’s manufacturer, Bayer AG, and Johnson & Johnson’s unit, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., which markets Xarelto, failed to warn doctors and their patients that Xarelto does not have reversal agents should severe bleeding occur which leaves trauma professionals in emergency rooms without any effective means to treat and stabilize patients who experience uncontrolled and excessive bleeding allegedly as a result of using the blood thinner. The Xarelto complaints . The Xarelto complaints further allege that Xarelto is unreasonably dangerous and defective, and purports that safer blood thinner alternatives exist, such as warfarin, which have antidotes for internal bleeding.About Wright & Schulte LLC
Wright & Schulte LLC, an experienced personal injury firm, is dedicated to the belief that America’s legal system should work for the people. Every day, the attorneys of Wright & Schulte LLC stand up for the rights of people who have been injured or wronged and fight tirelessly to ensure that even the world’s most powerful corporations take responsibility for their actions. If you’re looking for a law firm that will guarantee the aggressive and personal representation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact Wright & Schulte LLC today. Free Xarelto side effects lawsuit case evaluations are available through yourlegalhelp.com or by calling 1-800-399-0795.
Contact:
Wright & Schulte LLC
812 East National Road
Vandalia, Ohio 45377
1-800-399-0795
http://www.yourlegalhelp.com -
Xarelto Lawsuit Filed In New York Alleges Drug Caused Internal Bleeding Injuries
Jun 8, 2015 | 12 News
By SproutNews
A lawsuit has been filed in the New York District Court alleging that the manufacturers of Xarelto did not perform sufficient safety testing on the anticoagulant drug and failed to warn about significant risks. This is one of many Xarelto lawsuits filed after recent studies linked its use severe side effects including uncontrollable internal bleeding.
June 8, 2015 /MM-prReach/ —
A Texas woman has filed a lawsuit in New York federal court against the manufacturers of Xarelto – a popular prescription blood thinner – claiming that the drug caused her to suffer serious injuries from internal bleeding.
The complaint alleges that drug companies Bayer AG and Janssen Pharmaceuticals did not perform sufficient safety testing on their anticoagulant drug and failed to warn the public about signficant risks, which they had known about.
This lawsuit is one of many which have been filed recently against Janssen and Bayer AG after recent studies linked their blockbuster drug Xarelto to severe internal bleeding which can lead to serious injury and death.
Xarelto: A New Type of Prescription Blood Thinner
Xarelto is a new class of prescription blood thinner (or anticoagulant) which is prescribed to reduce the risks of blood clotting in patients with various medical conditions including Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib) and other related conditions.
Since its initial FDA approval in 2011, Xarelto has quickly become the leading blood thinner in its class with more than 11 million prescriptions in the U.S. and continued sales growth.
However, the drug has come under serious scrutiny recently after studies showed a link to concerning side effects including uncontrollable internal bleeding.
Unlike traditional blood thinners, Xarelto does not have an antidote, or reversing agent to stop the drug’s blood-thinning effects.
As a result, many Xarelto users have suffered from internal bleeds which ended up causing serious injury or death.
Now, lawsuits are being filed throughout the country by individuals and families who may have been harmed.
Details of The New York Lawsuit
In this specific case, the plaintiff was prescribed Xarelto by her doctor to prevent blood clots caused by Atrial Fibrillation.
The complaint, filed under docket number 1:14-CV-04524 in the Eastern District of New York, states that the plaintiff took Xarelto for 5 months and then suffered a life-threatening internal bleed which resulted in serious injury.
The claim alleges that the manufacturers’ failure to warn about Xarelto’s risks and insufficent safety testing lead the plaintiff to suffer serious injuries.
The complaint did not mention the nature the injuries suffered, however it did state that the plaintiff incurred permanent injuries which will require future care.
Families Contacting Sheller P.C. About Xarelto Lawsuits
In response to pending litigation, Xarelto lawyer Marc Goldich of BloodThinnerHelp.com said, “Many individuals and families are just learning that Xarelto may have caused a serious injury or death of a loved one. We understand that these are difficult times and are doing everything we can to assist these families in pursuing justice.”
For media contacts and questions regarding the Xarelto litigation, please call 866-425-8902.
Contact Info:
Name: Marc Goldich
Email: mgoldich@sheller.com
Phone: 866-425-8902
Organization: Blood Thinner Help -
Xarelto Lawsuit News: Federal Litigation to Convene Monthly Status Conference June 10th
Jun 5, 2015 | Benzinga
By PRWeb
Hundreds of federally-filed Xarelto lawsuits that have been consolidated in a multidistrict litigation now underway in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, continue to move forward. According to court documents, the proceeding is scheduled to convene its next monthly status conference on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. (In Re: Xarelto Products Liability Litigation, No. 2592)
"Our attorneys are representing plaintiffs in federal Xarelto lawsuits. We anticipate that this conference will address matters relevant to these claims, including the status of discovery and the selection of bellwether trials. We look forward to providing our clients with updates regarding the progress of this litigation," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing victims of defective medical devices and drugs. The Firm is actively filing Xarelto lawsuits in U.S. courts, and continues to evaluate claims on behalf of individuals who allegedly suffered life-threatening internal bleeding and other dangerous complications related to its use.
Xarelto Litigation
According to court documents, Xarelto was initially approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 2011, and is now indicated for the prevention of strokes in people with atrial fibrillation; the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism; and the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. Like any anticoagulant, Xarelto is sometimes associated with serious episodes of internal bleeding. However, there is currently no approved antidote to reverse this potentially life-threatening complication. The Xarelto label includes a black box warning that contains information about the increased risk of blood clot formation after premature discontinuation of the medication in the absence of adequate alternative anticoagulation.*Court records indicate that at least 434 Xarelto lawsuits are pending in the federal multidistrict litigation underway in the Eastern District of Louisiana, all of which were filed on behalf of individuals who allegedly suffered uncontrollable bleeding, strokes, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and other complications related to its use. Among other things, plaintiffs accuse the drug's manufacturers of wrongly marketing Xarelto as a superior alternative for warfarin, a blood thinner that has been in use for decades. They point out that unlike Xarelto, there is an effective antidote for reverse bleeding complications associated with warfarin.
Individuals who allegedly experienced internal bleeding and other complications related to Xarelto may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages incurred as a result of their injuries. Learn more about filing a Xarelto lawsuit by visiting Bernstein Liebhard LLP's website, or by calling 800-511-5092 to schedule a free, no obligation case review.
About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3 billion on behalf of our clients. The National Law Journal has recognized Bernstein Liebhard for twelve consecutive years as one of the top plaintiffs' firms in the country. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is the only firm in the country to be named to this prestigious list every year since it was first published in 2003.Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
800-511-5092ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2015 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, 800-511-5092. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
Contact Information:
Sandy A. Liebhard, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info (at)consumerinjurylawyers(dot)com
http://www.xareltolawsuit2015.com/
https://plus.google.com/115936073311125306742?rel=author -
Xarelto Lawsuit: Drug Caused Severe Internal Bleeding
Jun 12, 2015 | Top Class Actions
By Melissa LaFreniere
A Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against Xarelto manufacturers after suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding that required a blood transfusion and lengthy hospitalization.
Plaintiff Tesfay A. claims she was prescribed the blood thinner to treat deep vein thrombosis, but within one week of taking the medication she experienced agonizing Xarelto bleeding. She alleges that makers and marketers of Xarelto fraudulently misrepresented the blood thinner as tested and found to be safe for its intended treatment.
The plaintiff Tesfay is seeking more than $75,000 in damages from defendants Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc. for personal injuries she has sustained.Xarelto Bleeding Risks
Xarelto is a relatively new blood thinner treatment that was FDA approved in 2011 to prevent stroke and blood clots in patients after undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. Xarelto was marketed as a more convenient anticoagulant when compared to the traditional Warfarin (Coumadin) as Xarelto does not require monthly blood testing or have dietary restrictions. However, recent studies found that patients taking Xarelto have an increased chance of internal bleeding and currently there’s no way to stop it.
Warfarin patients who experience excessive bleeding can be given a dose of Vitamin K to get it under control. Xarelto patients have to undergo blood transfusions until the medication is out of their system, as there is no antidote available that would stop Xarelto bleeding. Plaintiff Tesfay claims she was not cautioned that should Xarelto bleeding occur there was no reversal agent.
The Xarelto lawsuit claims “the original U.S. label approved when the drug was first marketed in the U.S. did not contain a warning regarding the lack of antidote, but instead only mentioned this important fact in the overdosage section.”
The plaintiff alleges manufacturers intentionally concealed their knowledge of the life-threatening Xarelto side effects from the FDA, the medical community, and patients.Xarelto Serious Adverse Event Reports
Xarelto makers claim the medication is the #1 blood thinner in its class, touting its 11 million U.S. prescriptions in just a few short years. However, thousands of Xarelto users have filed serious adverse events (SAE) reports with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, claiming the medication caused life-threatening side effects. Of the SAE reports filed so far, hundreds resulted in hemorrhage-related deaths.
Other Xarelto side effects that have been reported include:Gastrointestinal bleedingBrain hemorrhagingAbdominal bleedingAbnormal liver functionReduced platelet levelsLow blood pressureBruisingEdemaDizzinessHemorrhaging in the eyesNose bleedsRectal bleedingHeadacheMuscle painRapid heartbeatGrowing Number of Xarelto Lawsuits
This recently filed Xarelto lawsuit is one of many that claim the drug manufacturers were negligent in adequately warning of the bleeding risks linked to Xarelto. Plaintiff Tesfay claims that because the drug makers failed to fully warn by omitting important information, she will continue to suffer from permanent personal injuries. She is seeking financial compensation for damages including Xarelto bleeding, physical pain, diminished enjoyment of life, loss of earnings, and medical expenses.
The Xarelto Bleeding Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-01232-EEF-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
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Xarelto Litigation Continues to Grow
Jun 11, 2015 | Lawyersandsettlements.com
By Heidi Turner
The number of claims involved in Xarelto side effects lawsuits continues to grow as the number of people coming forward with allegations of Xarelto bleeding complications also grows. Meanwhile, litigation concerning Xarelto moves forward, with more lawsuits joining the already established multidistrict litigation.
The number of Xarelto lawsuits has increased dramatically from the 33 that initially sat in the Xarelto multidistrict litigation (MDL 2592) as of December 15, 2014. Reports from May’s pending multidistrict litigation indicate there are now 434 lawsuits consolidated for pretrial proceedings before US District Judge Eldon E. Fallon, in the Eastern District for Louisiana.
The lawsuits allege patients were not adequately warned that Xarelto, unlike its predecessor warfarin, did not have an antidote. This allegedly put patients at risk of uncontrollable bleeding events. Warfarin, Xarelto and other anticoagulants are used to lower the risk of blood clots by preventing blood from coagulating. Warfarin, however, has an antidote in the form of vitamin K. Xarelto currently does not have an approved antidote.
One such lawsuit was filed by Mary Walker and others against Janssen Pharmaceuticals. This lawsuit not only alleges that patients were not warned about the risks associated with Xarelto, but that the defendants wrongly marketed Xarelto as a “one size fits all” drug that does not require medical monitoring. One of the drawbacks of warfarin is that patients on the older anticoagulant must have their blood regularly monitored to ensure it stays within therapeutic levels. Patients on newer anticoagulants, including Xarelto, were told they would not require medical monitoring.
“In essence, the Defendants have created a new drug, Xarelto, that is not better than Warfarin from a safety perspective, and at best, is only perhaps slightly easier to use and administer,” court documents state. It should be noted that Xarelto is also a more expensive medication. According to the same court documents, Xarelto costs approximately $3,000 a year, while generic warfarin costs $200.The same lawsuit alleges that the Institute for Safe Medication Practices found 356 reports of injury linked to Xarelto, and researchers questioned whether once-a-day doses of Xarelto would adequately help a patient, since blood levels move through highs and lows throughout the day.
Walker’s lawsuit alleges the makers of Xarelto not only hid information that the drug could cause life-threatening bleeds, but also that they failed to warn about the lack of an antidote to reverse the effects of Xarelto. Walker also claims that Xarelto was marketed “with no regard to accuracy and repercussions of their misleading advertising in favor of increasing sales.”
Walker’s lawsuit is Mary Walker et al. v. Janssen Research & Development et al., case number 2:15-cv-01971. -
Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) May Cause Life-Threatening Bleeds
Jun 10, 2015 | Atlee Hall
By Melissa Jabour
Approved by the FDA in 2011, Xarelto is one of the newest anticoagulants on the market. Xarelto is a prescription medication used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. It is also used to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, in particular in patients who have recently had knee or hip replacement surgery.
Xarelto, which is manufactured and marketed by Bayer and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, is an alternative to Coumadin (warfarin). Unlike Coumadin, however, there is no approved antidote to quickly reverse the blood-thinning effects of Xarelto. For this reason, Xarelto may substantially increase the risk of severe and uncontrollable bleeds, which may result in serious injury and death.
Individuals who were prescribed Xarelto and suffered severe bleeding have filed lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturers. In January 2015, a mass tort program was created in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Over 250 lawsuits have been filed in Philadelphia, and over 400 lawsuits have been filed in the Xarelto MDL in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana.
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Federal Judge Announces Update in Xarelto Litigation
Jun 10, 2015 | Top Class Actions
By Amanda Antell
As the Xarelto litigation continues, Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceuticals are facing a growing number of Xarelto lawsuits that allege bleeding injuries. These Xarelto lawsuitsclaim that the manufacturing companies failed to protect plaintiffs against the risks of their product, and they suffered devastating bleeding injuries as a result.
According to the latest Xarelto case list that was recently released by the court, there are now 434 Xarelto bleeding claims pending before U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon, with the number growing each month. Xarelto (Rivaroxoban) was approved for the American market by the FDA in 2011, to be a competitor to Pradaxa and a superior alternative to Warfarin. For generations, Warfarin had been the only drug available to treat conditions such as atrial fibrillation and clot-prevention for patients; it took a huge hit in the marketplace upon the release of Pradaxa in 2010.
After the release and success of Pradaxa, other pharmaceutical companies wanted to try their luck in the exclusive anticoagulant market. This led Bayer and Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, to collaborate and release Xarelto.
Not long after its release, Xarelto climbed to the top of the anticoagulant market and continues to be a popular choice amongst patients. However, it was not long after the release that Xarelto was discovered to have severe complications that were allegedly not adequately addressed on the drug’s medication label. Numerous patients reported severe internal bleeding events that required emergency intervention because there is no established reversal agent.Overview of Xarelto Bleeding Allegations
Xarelto had been advertised to work faster and more efficiently than Warfarin. It was also marketed as being more convenient than Warfarin as it did not require patients to undergo frequent dose adjustments and doctor appointments. However, Warfarin is currently the only anticoagulant available that has an established reversal agent in the case of bleeding injuries.
In one of the most recent Xarelto lawsuits, a woman named Mary G. took legal action on behalf of her late husband, Israel G., who allegedly died from gastrointestinal bleeding caused by Xarelto in May 2013. According to Mary’s lawsuit, her husband switched to Xarelto from Warfarin after reviewing the defendants’ claims of better efficiency and its convenient one-dose prescription.
Mary goes on in her Xarelto lawsuit to state that her husband had no prior history of internal bleeding events or stroke, but had begun feeling severe dizziness caused by the gastrointestinal bleeding. Her husband was hospitalized for several months before ultimately succumbing to the internal damage; medical records show that he had suffered respiratory failure and acute anemia. The decedent’s physician states that he never would have prescribed Israel the medication if the manufacturing companies had adequately explained the risks of internal bleeding.
Mary’s Xarelto lawsuit is one of many filed by those who lost a loved one due to the unexpected bleeding side effects of Xarelto, and will most certainly not be the last.
Earlier in December 2014, the U.S. District Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) established consolidated pretrial proceedings for all Xarelto lawsuits that were filed in the federal court system, centralized in the U.S. District of Eastern Louisiana. By consolidating all of these lawsuits into a multidistrict litigation (MDL), the litigation process will ultimately become more convenient to both parties, save legal resources, and will avoid conflicting rulings from different judges. This was a necessary stage in the legal process, as legal experts ultimately expect that these Xarelto bleeding lawsuits will number in the thousands.
As part of the pretrial proceedings, Judge Fallon is expected to select several lawsuits through a case-specific discovery process, each of which will be prepared for early trial dates to represent their fellow Xarelto lawsuits. According to the minutes released from the recent status conference held before Judge Fallon, the parties are expected to propose a new case management order by the end of June 2015, which will narrow down the selection of bellwether claims.
While the outcomes of these bellwether trials will not effect other Xarelto claims, they may influence a possible Xarelto settlement as negotiations may soon start to resolve the litigation. The next status conference for the Xarelto litigation movement is scheduled for June 10, 2015.
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Xarelto Bleeding Injury Lawsuit Filed in Louisiana Court for Early Trial Proceedings
Jun 10, 2015 | Injury Lawyer News
By Whitney Taylor
A plaintiff that filed a Xarelto bleeding injury lawsuit in Louisiana alleges a serious bleeding incident while taking the anticoagulant left her with long-lasting injuries. The plaintiff’s case has been added to growing multidistrict litigation in the state, where other complaints alleging severe side effects from Xarelto are currently pending.Plaintiff suffers lifelong injuries
The plaintiff, Tahkiya Daniels, filed her complaint in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on May 28, 2015, with the intention of transferring her case to federal court in North Carolina once pre-trial proceedings are over.
In her complaint, Daniels reports she experienced hemorrhaging and other severe personal injuries that have impacted her quality of life and shortened her life expectancy. She is seeking damages in excess of $75,000 against the manufacturers of Xarelto, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson and Bayer Healthcare.
Daniels began taking Xarelto in May 2013, and continued taking the drug according to her physician’s instructions until January 2015. On January 14, 2015, Daniels experienced hemorrhages as a result of her Xarelto use. In addition, Daniels claims she suffered “physical pain and mental anguish, diminished enjoyment of life and shortened life expectancy.”
Daniels also claims she has had economic losses from mounting medical bills and loss of earnings due to her injuries associated with Xarelto.About Xarelto
Xarelto belongs to a new category of anticoagulant drugs, which includes Pradaxa and Eliquis. The drugs are designed for patients that have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. They are also prescribed to patients after joint replacement surgery to minimize the risk of blood clot formation.
These drugs have been touted as a convenient alternative to the older anticoagulant drug warfarin, which requires ongoing monitoring and dietary changes.
Unfortunately, their convenience has been overshadowed by concerns over their risks for some patients and doctors. Unlike warfarin, there is no way to reverse bleeding events that might occur while a patient is taking Xarelto or another drug in this category. This can result in a life-threatening hemorrhage from even a relatively minor injury.
Patients suffering complications from Xarelto have experienced gastrointestinal bleeding and other bleeding that is nearly impossible control while on this medication.FDA updates product packaging
In January 2014, the FDA issued an update to the product packaging of Xarelto, warning users there is no reversal agent for the drug. The agency cautions that any signs or symptoms of blood loss should be reported to a healthcare provider right away. Despite that warning, the manufacturers of the drug have made no effort to provide adequate warnings about the risks associated with Xarelto to consumers or the medical community, according to Daniel’s complaint.
The Xarelto bleeding injury lawsuit filed by Daniels joins more than 430 others currently pending in multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Louisiana. The Xarelto MDL was established in December 2014 to accommodate a growing number of plaintiffs alleging serious bleeding events while taking Xarelto. The MDL serves to streamline early trial proceedings for a growing number of plaintiffs, creating a more convenient process for everyone involved in the litigation.
The federal judge overseeing the MDL, Judge Eldon Fallon, is expected to move forward by the end of June with guidelines on selecting early trials to serve as a sampling of the coordinated litigation. Known as bellwether trials, these early cases offer insight into how juries might respond to evidence and testimony. They can also serve as a catalyst for settlement discussions between defendants andXarelto lawyers representing injured plaintiffs.
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Xarelto MDL to Identify Plaintiffs for Potential Inclusion in Bellwether Trials
Jun 9, 2015 | The Legal Examiner
By Roopal Lahana
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) established the Xarelto MDL on December 12, 2014. Since then, all federal cases have been transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana for pre-trial proceedings.
On May 4, 2015, the court released a case management order addressing a number of issues, including plaintiff fact sheets, defendant fact sheets, the bundling of complaints and answers, deposition of witnesses, the scheduling of a future “science day,” and the selection of bellwether trials, which typically help the parties to see how the evidence may affect future juries.
Xarelto Case Management Order Lists Deadlines
The recent case management order set a number of deadlines for the parties to meet as pre-trial processes move forward. These include the following:
• April 30, 2015: Defendants were to produce a number of documents for plaintiffs, including those detailing the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of Xarelto. They are also to produce corporate organization charts, and contact information for employees of the companies.
• May 1, 2015: Deposition of defendants’ witnesses begins after this date.
• Ongoing: Plaintiff fact sheets are to be submitted within 60 days from the date of filing for each case. Defendant fact sheets are to be submitted within 60 days of the date the defendants receive the plaintiff fact sheet.
• Ongoing: Five days before each status conference, defendants are to supply a chart identifying any Xarelto lawsuits pending in state courts, to facilitate state and federal coordination.
• June 11, 2015: This date has been set aside for a “science day,” in which the parties will meet and discuss the scientific publications relevant to the litigation, including those studies that show increased risk of side effects when taking Xarelto.
• June 15, 2015: Parties are to meet on this date to identify between 40 and 60 plaintiffs for specific discovery, and to address the timing for selecting bellwether trials.So far, the court has not proposed a start date for future bellwether trials.
Plaintiffs Say Xarelto Manufacturers Failed to Warn of Serious Risks
Consolidation of all cases into one court provides for a more efficient handling of a large number of cases, such as those concerning Xarelto. A newer-generation anti-coagulant, Xarelto was released on the market in 2011, and quickly became the preferred medication for patients undergoing hip and knee replacements, and for those with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
Within a year of its release, however, reports came in to the FDA describing serious side effects like excessive bleeding and hemorrhaging. Though all blood thinners carry a risk of too much bleeding, plaintiffs filing Xarelto lawsuits state that Xarelto didn’t do enough to warn patients of the risks, and spent too much time overblowing the benefits of the drug while downplaying the potential dangers.
So far, over 400 Xarelto lawsuits have been filed in the state of Louisiana, while more than 200 are pending in a mass tort in Pennsylvania. In addition to bringing counts of failure to warn, plaintiffs claim that manufacturers Bayer Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson also failed to let patients and doctors know that there was no antidote to Xarelto bleeding. Whereas patients taking warfarin—the leading blood thinner for decades—can be treated with injections of vitamin K, there is no such readily available solution for Xarelto bleeding, which makes it potentially much more dangerous.
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Xarelto Sales Continue to Rise Even as Patients Continue to Face Complications
Jun 5, 2015 | Texas Injury Law Blog
By Majed Nachawati
Xarelto, the blockbuster anticoagulant that was approved by the FDA in 2011, has recently seen an increase in sales even as the drug continues to cause problems for a significant number of patients. In the first quarter of 2015, both Xarelto sales and J& J pharmaceutical division sales increased by 3% to $7.7 billion. Bayer has increased its forecast for Xarelto's 2015 sales growth to 30% from 20%. Although it's not clear why there has been an uptick in sales, Johnson & Johnson and Bayer have aggressively marketed the drug, which is meant to be an improved alternative to traditional anticoagulants like warfarin.
Unfortunately, Xarelto has caused numerous medical problems for patients who have been prescribed the drug. Because there is no antidote, patients are at risk of serious bleeding incidents. Additionally, since the drug requires less monitoring by doctors, patients may not know that they are at increased risk of complications until it is too late. The "one-size-fits-all" drug fails to account for individual patient conditions. Recent lawsuits contend that the manufacturers of Xarelto over-marketed the supposed benefits of the drug. So far, there are over 300 federally-filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and Bayer.
Legal Commentary
Xarelto attorneys within our firm are studying, examining and investigating current Xarelto claims on behalf of people and their families who may have been injured by the drug. Some of the side effects include hemorrhaging, internal bleeding, stroke and or death. If you or a loved one has experienced any side effects while taking Xarelto, contact our Xarelto lawyers to discuss the facts of your potential case. We are available by phone for a free consultation at1.866.705.7584 or by email at mn@fnlawfirm.com.About the Author
Majed Nachawati is a dedicated Xarelto Lawyer with a focus on representing victims and families harmed by this dangerous drug on a nationwide basis. Mr. Nachawati has resolved numerous dangerous drug medication cases through trial and settlement that have resulted in seven and eight figure confidential settlements. He is on the Grievance Committee for the State Bar of Texas. He is licensed to practice in the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas. Mr. Nachawati is a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Board of Directors for Public Justice, a Leaders’ Forum and PAC member of the American Association for Justice. Mr. Nachawati has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in Texas Monthly Magazine for the past six consecutive years for legal excellence, in connection with noteworthy settlements for pharmaceutical injury cases. Mr. Nachawati is also a member of The Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mr. Nachawati can be reached by email at mn@fnlawfirm.com or by calling 1.866.705.7584. -
Damning Evidence Revealed in Xarelto Lawsuit: Were Bayer and Janssen Corrupt, or Lazy?
Jun 5, 2015 | Ring of Fire
By Justin Lane
In early January of 2012, William Packard’s physician prescribed a new anti-coagulant for the treatment of his atrial fibrillation (AT), a condition characterized by irregular heartbeat and palpitations. Patients suffering from AT run an increased risk for heart failure as well as stroke. Mr. Packard’s doctor thought the new medication would be more effective than the old treatment, because there were fewer interactions and the patient wouldn’t have to undergo nearly as much monitoring.
Just six months later, William Packard began experiencing headaches and periods of confusion. He was admitted to the hospital, where doctors determined he was suffering from subdural hemorrhaging, or bleeding on the brain. Despite emergency surgical attempts to stop the bleeding, William Packard died five days later.
On July 17th 2012, Thomas Dunkley’s doctor prescribed the same medication for the same condition. On the 26th, he began experiencing severe head pain. After suffering for five more days, Dunkley died on the first day of August – a little over two weeks after he started taking the medication.
The medication used by both of these patients was Xarelto (rivaroxaban).
Xarelto is one of the “new generation” of anti-coagulants implicated in fatal bleeding that have no reversal agent. And (unlike rival medication Pradaxa), not even emergency dialysis to remove the drug from the system will save the patient. This is something that Bayer allegedly knew about – and purposely failed to mention in its warnings.
Why? The usual. Despite the dangers of the product, Bayer and its partner, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceutica have engaged in an aggressive marketing campaign. That campaign has been a great investment; last year, Xarelto sales totaled approximately $1 billion.
Now facing increasing injury and wrongful death lawsuits, Bayer’s primary defense is based on a pair of studies, one of which was sponsored by the company itself, and the other by Janssen. The first study, published in the 8 September 2011 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine,was called “Rocket-AF” (the “AF” being short for “atrial fibrillation”). It was a comparison between rivaroxaban and warfarin in stroke prevention and the treatment of AF. This study concluded that there were “no significant differences in rates of major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding” among patients treated with the two medications.
The other study, known as “Einstein PE” (pulmonary embolism) was a comparison between Xarelto and a different type of anti-coagulant, known as enoxaparin sodium (the former is a “direct Factor Xa inhibitor” and the latter is a “low-molecular weight heparin”). This study demonstrated Xarelto to have a small “superiority for major bleeding” over enoxaparin.
Neither study mentioned the lack of a reversal agent – and the idea that the manufacturer was unaware of this stretches the limits of credibility. Meanwhile, Bayer and Janssen continue to trumpet praises of its product, despite the fact that Xarelto was implicated in more than 2000 adverse events in 2013 alone.
“Jansen and Bayer’s Refusal to supply doctors and patients the information necessary for the safest and most effective use of their drug is wholly unacceptable,” said Ned McWilliams, an attorney with the Levin, Papantonio law firm who is currently investigating Xarelto lawsuits.
Over 150 of those patients died. Their families now claim that such dangers were known to both companies and the information deliberately withheld.
With such huge profits at stake, it’s little wonder that Bayer (which already has a dismal record when it comes to concern for human life) had something to hide.
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