If you are one of the many Xarelto patients who have endured unthinkable injuries or adverse health effects due your exposure to Bayer’s popular blood thinning medication, the product liability attorneys of Eisbrouch Marsh are here to help. We understand that bringing in a Xarelto lawsuit may be the furthest thing from your mind in the wake of an abrupt medical upheaval – however we encourage you to come forward with the details of your experience to ensure that your legal rights are protected.
As one of the largest manufacturers of prescription and over-the-counter medications in the world, Bayer Pharmaceuticals has the duty to take the necessary precautions to test its products and warn patients of the potential for danger. However, as more and more Xarelto plaintiffs are contending, the drug presents an unexpected and unforeseen risk of deadly internal bleeding, and Xarelto attorneys are demanding the drug conglomerate corrects the effects of its negligence.
Millions of patients have turned to Xarelto to help prevent the impact of blood coagulation – which can lead to stroke and death. However, the drug is now apparently linked to the opposite result: excessive and life-threatening bleeding – and patients want answers.
How a Xarelto Lawsuit Works
When a personal injury plaintiff files a case, it is necessary to set forth certain factual allegations that will hopefully give rise to a finding of negligence on the part of the defendant.
In the context of product liability pertaining to prescription drugs like Xarelto, the plaintiff must prove that:
- The drug company designed a defective drug that was inherently dangerous from the outset. This may be proven through data derived from clinical trials (or even by showing the drug company failed to adequately test the drug before entering it onto the American market);
- The drug company designed the drug properly, but failed to manufacture it according to the specifications. Another offset of this type of negligence can occur if the drug company manufactured the drug pursuant to FDA approval for certain conditions, then marketed the drug for other unapproved uses (a practice known as “off-label marketing”), or;
- The drug company knew (or had reason to know) of the issues with the drug and failed to initiate an adequate warning label or public recall to protect consumers from known dangers.
This type of product liability negligence may be proven through the introduction of evidence to show the dangers inherent in the product.
Plaintiffs in Xarelto litigation have alleged any of the following severe side effects:
- Abdominal bleeding
- Brain hemorrhage
- Abnormal liver function
- Reduced platelet levels
- Brain bleeding
- Death
Xarelto Risks
If you have experienced any of the above symptoms, you are certainly not alone. In addition to these painful and potentially fatal conditions, Xarelto has proven particularly problematic due to the fact it does not interact with any known antidote – unlike its counterpart Warfarin. Also, as compared with Warfarin, certain clinical studies have not revealed any marked advantage to taking Xarelto as opposed to the traditional coagulant used by hospitals for over 50 years. This combination of problems has led many to consider whether Xarelto is safe on the market at all.
Beginning in 2013, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally opted to address the problems associated with Xarelto. Despite expanding the approved use of the drug in 2012 to include treatment for conditions like deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, the FDA thereafter backtracked in its support of the drug and instituted several mandatory changes to the label.
The FDA has instituted the following label changes for Xarelto:
- August 2013: Premature discontinuation of the drug Xarelto may be linked to the onset of thrombotic events or spinal hematoma.
- January 2014: Increased risk of bleeding, for which no known remedy is currently available/
- March 2014: Increased risk of bleeding when used in concert with a lumbar epidural or other spinal analgesia. Medical professionals were cautioned to take this into consideration prior to puncturing a patient known to be taking Xarelto.
Importance of Meeting with a Lawyer Right Away
The risks associated with Xarelto are unquestionably unacceptable, and working with a dangerous drug attorney from Eisbrouch Marsh may be the best way to properly redress the injuries you have endured. A lawsuit can help you obtain financial compensation for not only your direct expenses related to Xarelto, but other non-quantifiable expenses incurred as a result of Bayer Pharmaceutical’s alleged failure to warn you of the risk.
For example, if you had to endure an emergency intervention due to unexpected, unrelenting internal bleeding, you likely experienced significant anxiety and mental anguish over this event. A Xarelto attorney can help you not only obtain recovery for your actual costs – such as medical expenses, co-pays or lost wages – but can also help you obtain a sum of money to address your emotional pain and suffering as well.
Likewise, if you are the surviving loved one of a family member who passed away as a result of an unstoppable internal bleeding episode, the wrongful death lawyers of Eisbrouch Marsh can offer compassionate and thorough legal counsel to help you obtain financial compensation while you grieve.
Ongoing Xarelto Litigation
As more and more patients endure devastating Xarelto side effects, lawsuits have continued to emerge across the nation. In addition to several wrongful death actions filed by family members grieving the loss of a loved one who bled uncontrollably due to Xarelto, hundreds of individual lawsuits are awaiting resolution by patients who endured a painful and debilitating experience with the drug.
A predecessor to Xarelto, known as Pradaxa, is another type of anticoagulant facing billions of dollars in potential liability from patients having endured similar side effects. To date, Pradaxa has caused over $650 million in liability for its manufacturer and over 4,000 causes of action for personal injury.
Contact Eisbrouch Marsh Immediately
If you are reeling from the aftereffects of a threatening bleeding episode likely caused by exposure to Xarelto, be sure to contact a Xarelto attorney right away. The personal injury lawyers at Eisbrouch Marsh are available to speak with you about the details of your experience.
For more information or to schedule your free Xarelto lawsuit consultation, contact us today by calling 201-342-5545.
