Product Liability Lawyer Blog

April 16, 2014

Wrongful Death Lawsuit: Heart Attack Linked to Testosterone Therapy

Testosterone therapy is increasingly under scrutiny for the cardiovascular risks posed patients. In a recent case, a family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Testim gel manufacturer after a 61-year-old man suffered a heart attack and died after suffering negative effects of testosterone replacement therapy. The lawsuit was filed by the family of the victim against Auxilium Pharmaceuticals in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Due to the rising number of injuries and deaths related to testosterone therapy, there have been nearly 100 similar cases filed against manufacturers nationwide.

Hormone therapy has been marketed to men who have suffered side effects of decreased levels of testosterone with aging. The condition, also known as “Low T” has been treated with prescriptions of Testim and other testosterone therapy drugs. With the widespread marketing and growing popularity of these drugs, sales have reached approximately $2 billion in recent years. Our Boston dangerous drugs attorney are dedicated to protecting the rights of victims. We stay abreast of injury trends in pharmaceuticals and are dedicated to bringing justice to families.
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April 11, 2014

Age Increases Pelvic Organ Prolapse Risk but TVM May Not be the Answer

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a serious medical condition that affects many women. Recent articles indicate that as many as 50 percent of all women between the ages of 50 and 79 experience some type of prolapse in the pelvic organs. As women age, the risk of prolapse significantly increases and can cause bothersome symptoms that lead women to seek medical treatment.

Vaginal mesh products became a popular product for treating POP as well as another condition called stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The mesh products, including vaginal slings, were used to provide support to the organs that were beginning to prolapse.
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April 8, 2014

$1.2 Million Vaginal Mesh Verdict for Plaintiff

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A 64-year-old woman was recently awarded $1.2 million in a transvaginal mesh case against Johnson & Johnson. The jury determined that the plaintiff had suffered damages because the vaginal-mesh implant the woman received was defectively designed and was responsible for causing the her injuries.

The claim against Johnson & Johnson was based on a product called the TVT-O mesh sling. While the jury found for the plaintiff that the device was defective, they rejected the plaintiff’s claims that Johnson & Johnson failed to provide adequate warning about health risks associated with the sling. No punitive damages were awarded.
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April 5, 2014

FDA Reports Dramatic Increase in Medical Device Recalls

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Medical device recalls have increased dramatically in the past 10 years. A detailed report provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated that there was a 97 percent increase in the number of medical devices recalled annually from fiscal year 2003 to fiscal year 2012.

The FDA attributes the increase in recalls to enhanced awareness by medical device firms, especially those firms that were cited repeatedly for violations of safety rules and standards. Efforts by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) to improve device safety were also listed as a reason for the higher recall numbers.
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April 3, 2014

Stryker Hip Settlements Reached

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Stryker hip replacement products have prompted more than 1,500 lawsuits nationwide by patients alleging problems with hip replacement devices. Recently, eight of these cases settled. Because of confidentiality agreements, North Jersey.com reports that it’s not clear how much money was recovered by the plaintiffs. Still, the settlements provide hope to other patients affected by Stryker hip problems because the victims of these defective joint replacements were at least able to recover some money for their damages and losses.

The cases that settled are important because they did so as part of a court-ordered mediation process that took place in a Superior Court in Burgen County, New Jersey. More than half of all Stryker cases have been consolidated in this court under Judge Brian Martinotti. The cases are part of a multi-county litigation (MCL). Remaining cases in the MCL will continue to move forward, with a second phase of mediation expected to follow.
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March 31, 2014

Coloplast to Settle Vaginal Mesh lawsuits for $16 Million

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Coloplast is one of more than 30 manufacturers of vaginal mesh responsible for putting millions of women at risk. Transvaginal mesh (TVM) is used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary continence (SUI), and Bloomberg reports that one manufacturer indicated that more than a million women have had mesh implanted over the past 15 years.

Unfortunately, vaginal mesh can begin to erode in the body and can fail to work as required for women. The mesh can cause women to experience significant pain, including discomfort during sexual intercourse. Vaginal mesh may also not be effective in treating POP, as many women experience recurrent prolapse of pelvic organs. Because of the myriad problems identified with vaginal mesh, the Food and Drug Administration issued an order in 2012 requiring manufacturers of mesh products to conduct studies to identify the rates of complications. These studies should assess how likely it is that the mesh will cause organ damage and other serious health problems.
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March 28, 2014

Prescription Drug Dangers Focus of Awareness Week

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Each March, Patient Safety Awareness Week is held to encourage patients to take safety precautions and to be aware of signs that they may be receiving substandard or dangerous medical care. The educational effort occurs annually and healthcare organizations provide promotional material and resources for patients and hospital staff.

While Patient Safety Awareness Week does a good job drawing attention to the need for patients’ to take an active role in managing their own healthcare, the reality is that patients need to go the extra mile to be safe at all times when dealing with the medical and pharmaceutical industries. This is especially true in situations where a patient is prescribed a drug. Under these circumstances, the plaintiff needs to not only be aware of potential pitfalls that the doctor could create (like prescribing the wrong dose) but also of potential problems that could develop if it turns out the safety of a drug is overstated and the risks not disclosed or understood.
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March 24, 2014

Are You At Risk of Complications from Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is commonly prescribed to men whose bodies are not producing enough testosterone on their own. The testicles produce the testosterone hormone, which is responsible for maintaining muscle bulk, for bone growth, for maintaining red blood cells, and for proper sexual function. In cases where a man suffers from low testosterone (Low-T), symptoms can include erectile dysfunction, among other health issues. These undesirable symptoms have caused many men to eagerly embrace TRT as a solution.

Unfortunately, testosterone replacement therapy may do more harm than good. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now reconsidering whether testosterone replacement therapy is actually safe for use amidst a growing number of concerning studies showing problems and dangerous side effects, including a risk of heart problems and strokes. Five men have already sued Abbott Laboratories, alleging that the company should be held liable for the side effects of its low-T treatment. Many more men could also take action if it turns out that the studies are right and that they’ve been using a high-risk medical therapy without adequate warning.
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March 20, 2014

Testosterone Therapy’s Heart Risks Under Scrutiny

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

An increasing number of men are turning to testosterone treatments to help mitigate some conditions including fatigue, low libido, muscle loss or irritability. While some doctors are promoting these treatments to combat some of the side effects of aging, users should consider the potential risks of hormone therapy treatment. According to a recent statement made by the Endocrine Society, testosterone therapy to treat “low T” can carry serious risks, including heart attack.

Those who are proscribed medication to treat certain ailments trust their doctors as well as the government and pharmaceutical companies to ensure that drugs are safe. Unfortunately, many of these patients will discover too late that their drug treatment and therapy caused bodily harm that could have been prevented with proper testing and warnings. Our personal injury attorneys in Massachusetts are dedicated to helping patients recover compensation for injuries caused by dangerous drugs. We understand the complications and challenges with pharmaceutical litigation and can effectively protect the interests of patients and their loved ones.
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March 18, 2014

Cardiac Problems Caused by Metal Hip Replacements

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Recent case studies in leading medical journals indicate that patients with metal hip joint replacements could be at a greater risk of cardiac problems and complications. According to a New York Times article, two recent investigations uncovered similar medical mysteries, both involving patients with metal hip replacements and life-threatening heart conditions. The medical research and reports could help future patients with hip replacements and cardiac problems identify the source of their illness or disease. Our Boston hip implant lawyers are dedicated to recent developments involving health and dangerous medical devices.

Case study 1: A man in Germany became ill and sought a diagnosis to treat a worsening condition. His medical problems had begun three years earlier, including low hormone levels, an inflamed esophagus, and high body temperature. He began to lose his vision to the point of being nearly blind. The patient had damaged hearing and became nearly deaf. His illness intensified and he felt his body weaken, evidently because of a heart condition. Eventually, he suffered heart failure, even though he had no coronary artery disease or complications.
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