Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Bellwether Trails Set Precedent in Levquin Side Effect Cases

Since Levaquin was introduced in 1997, Johnson & Johnson has failed, according to the Levaquin lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson, to adequately warn about the risk of tendon ruptures side effects associated with the antibiotic, particularly involving the Achilles tendon. Although a “black box” warning was announced in July 2008 for all antibiotics in the same class, Johnson & Johnson still does not indicate that Levaquin is more tendon toxic than the other drugs in the class. A handful of cases, known as bellwether lawsuits, were selected for early trials in the Multidistrict Litigation to help the parties gauge the relative strengths and weaknesses of their cases, by determining how juries respond to evidence that is likely to be similar throughout many cases in the litigation. The results of the bellwether trials may h

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Levaquin Lawsuit Eligibility Considered

More than 2,500 Levaquin lawsuits have been filed by plaintiffs who have experienced tendon rupture and rotator cuff tearing associated with the broad-spectrum antibiotic Levaquin, but only one has seen trial. John Schedin suffered Achilles tendon ruptures after only eight days on Levaquin. His lawsuit was chosen as the first bellwether trial in Levaquin consolidated federal litigation – a bellwether trial is a preliminary trial that will help Levaquin lawyers and plaintiffs gauge the possible outcome for their own trial.

Lawsuit Win Sets Way for Further Compensations from Levaquin

Levaquin is a 3rd-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic, manufactured by Ortho-McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Doctors prescribe Levaquin as an antibiotic to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It does not work for viral infections (for example, the common cold). While patients taking Levaquin have reported a variety of minor side-effects, common with any medication, the most serious Levaquin side effect reported has been an increased risk of Achilles tendonitis among current and former patients. Several studies published in accredited medical journals have cited case studies in which individuals who have taken Levaquin have been adversely affected by levofloxacin-induced tendonopathy and tendon rupture.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Levaquin Puts Innocent Users at Huge Risk

The Minnesota federal judge overseeing the Levaquin multidistrict litigation allowed punitive damages in the first trial after finding that plaintiff John Schedin presented reasonable evidence that defendant Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. knew or disregarded research that the antibiotic could cause tendon injuries, tried to prevent European regulatory action that would affect the drug's reputation and "manipulated" a study "to produce a commercially favorable result," according to an order that was unsealed May 12. Potential plaintiffs who have any questions in regards to Levaquin litigation and filing a lawsuit of their own should first speak to an experienced Levaquin lawyer.
Levaquin is a potent anti-bacterial medication for which the generic name is levofloxacin. It is manufactured and marketed by Ortho McNeil; however the patent on the product has expired and several generic versions are in circulation. In the United States, approved usage of the drug includes sinusitis, exacerbated chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and prostatitis. The serious side effects of Levaquin, which include: tendon rupture and rotator cuff tear are affecting thousands of individuals.
Levaquin has been associated with increased risk for tendonitis and ruptured tendons. The entire class of drugs (fluoroquinolones) into which Levaquin falls is not approved for use with children except under special circumstances, due to the potential for damage to the musculoskeletal system, as well as the danger for fatalities. The new black box warning was enforced because the FDA says this class of drug worsens a condition known as myasthenia gravis. The black box warning is the strongest warning the FDA can impose on a drug that is already approved for public use. Fluoroquinolones like Levaquin already had a black box warning against them because they have been found to cause Levaquin tendon rupture and damage to patients, as well as other tendon problems.