Advancements in technology and medicine continue to get better and better. The treatments for illnesses and disease advance as well. Unfortunately, while the ability to treat many different types of ailments may be a marvel of the modern world, it’s not without its pitfalls. Sometimes, treatments and medications that are meant to improve a person’s quality of life can have the opposite effect. Every single year there are medical device injuries and pharmaceutical drugs cause people unexpected harm.
If this happens to you, there are options. One of the most prevalent is called a “mass tort.”
What Is a Mass Tort?
A mass tort is when a single wrongful action causes injury to many people. The people injured by this action come together in a mass tort lawsuit to help them seek compensation for various injuries against a single defendant. This allows for easier litigation for plaintiffs against defendants with a lot of resources, such as pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Current Mass Torts
At any one time, a number of medical devices and drugs are in litigation for causing serious injury. Some of the more prominent drug and medical device mass torts to be aware of right now include:
Zantac (Ranitidine)
The popular heartburn medication ranitidine, also sold under the brand name Zantac, has been connected with NDMA. This chemical has been linked to several types of cancer, including lung, liver, and stomach cancers.
Hernia Mesh
To help alleviate pain and discomfort, many people have hernias repaired with mesh. Whether it’s implanted laparoscopically or through an open surgical procedure, hernia mesh made from Marlex polypropylene may lead to a few serious side effects such as bacterial infections, adhesions, swelling, pain, obstructions, and additional surgery to remove the mesh.
Belviq
Belviq (and its extended-release version Belviq XR) is a prescription weight loss drug that was voluntarily removed from the market in February 2020 over concerns that it may cause an increased risk of certain types of cancers.
Januvia, Victoza, Janumet, and Byetta
These are a class of Incretin Mimetic drugs designed to help adults suffering from type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. Recent studies have found that they may be linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
PDE5 Inhibitors
PDE5 inhibitors are drugs that treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra, Cialis, Adcirca, and Revatio have been linked to an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors are drugs used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. These drugs have been linked to serious injuries such as chronic kidney disease and kidney failure, acute interstitial nephritis, and other serious side effects that can result in hospitalization or death.
Breast Implants and Cancer
The Food and Drug Administration is currently assessing claims that some women with breast implants develop a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma called anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
Surgical Stapler
A circular surgical stapler made by Ethicon, Inc. has been recalled by the FDA. The recall was made because the use of these devices may lead to serious patient harm or death.
Paragard IUD
Paragard intrauterine devices have caused serious complications in some women, such as infection, inflammation, IUD breakage, ectopic pregnancy, perforation of the uterine wall or the cervix, and even death.
Get the Help You Need
If you have suffered from drug or medical device injuries — or any other kind of personal injury — we can help you determine if you qualify for a mass tort. You have a limited window to take action, so reach out to Richard I. Feingold & Associates, P.C. as soon as possible.
Author:
Richard I. Feingold
Richard I. Feingold & Associates, P.C.
Personal Injury & Social Security Disability
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