Drugs & Medical Devices

Thousands of consumers suffer permanent injuries from dangerous drugs and defective medical devices each year in the United States.  Drug companies place millions of people at risk when they put unsafe drugs on the market.  Recalls of defective medical devices occur each year, resulting in suffering and income loss to victims.  The Food and Drug Administration does not always test every drug or medical device for safety.  Drug and device manufacturers both in the U.S. and abroad are motivated by making large profits as quickly as possible.  The FDA is unable to always do the appropriate testing and wait for test results before approving drugs and medical devices.

If you or a family member has been injured by a drug or medical device, you should contact a knowledgeable lawyer promptly.  We can assist you in determining if you have a valid claim.

DANGEROUS DRUGS

We have successfully concluded several claims against Merck and Co. for producing and marketing VIOXX.  The FDA approved VIOXX, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that was used to relieve arthritis pain.  When studies showed that VIOXX caused heart attacks and strokes, Merck removed the drug from the market in September 2004.  Our clients suffered heart attacks and cardiovascular related injuries from taking VIOXX.

About 23 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes, which can be managed with drugs.  The object is to reduce the risk of heart attacks and damage to other organs.  But drugs like AVANDIA, prescribed to treat diabetes, may cause the serious or fatal conditions that diabetics are seeking to avoid.  In 1997, REZULIN was quickly approved by the FDA, but within three years the FDA asked its manufacturer to take the drug off the market because it caused liver damage.  An estimated 8,700 lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. against Warner-Lambert, Rezulin's manufacturer.  At least 53 deaths have been linked to the drug.

In 1999 the FDA approved Glaxo Smith Kline's drug AVANDIA for type 2 Diabetes patients.  Two years later the FDA cited an increased risk of cardiac failure when the drug is taken with insulin.  No Avandia lawsuits have gone to trial yet, but trials will likely start in 2010.  Another Type 2 drug approved by the FDA in 2005 is BYETTA, a drug made from the saliva of Gila monsters.  Problems including pancreatitis have been reported.  If you have suffered injury from taking Avandia or Byetta, you should contact a qualified attorney to learn more about your rights.

DEFECTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES

We have represented patients who received dangerous and defective hip implants from Sulzer Orthopedics, Inc. and Sulzer Medica (Sulzer).  Sulzer developed the inter-op shell, a socket-like device to insert into the acetabulum, which is part of the pelvis.  A manufacturing defect prevented this device from bonding with the acetabulum, resulting in severe pain and inability to bear weight.  In December 2000, Sulzer recalled this defective product.  We were successful in achieving excellent results for our clients who received defective Sulzer hip devices.