Levaquin Tendon Rupture Leads to Illinois Woman's Lawsuit

Margaret A. Frass, an Illinois woman, has filed a Levaquin lawsuit after experiencing what she claims was Levaquin tendon rupture. She has gotten in touch with a Levaquin lawyer and joined Levaquin multidistrict litigation currently taking place in the U.S. District Court of the District of Minnesota, where the third Levaquin bellwether trial is currently taking place. Frass' Levaquin claim is similar to many others that were already involved in the Levaquin litigation. 

Tendon Rupture in Plaintiff's Patellar Tendon

Frass claims that she began taking the antibiotic Levaquin in April of 2005, and was diagnosed with a Levaquin tendon rupture in her right patellar tendon in September of that year after experiencing painful side effects including pain and swelling in her right knee. The symptoms began to show up shortly after she began taking Levaquin, and she and her Levaquin lawyer have linked her use of the drug to the tendon rupture.

California Levaquin Lawsuit Moved to Minnesota

A Levaquin lawsuit filed in California has been moved to Minnesota multidistrict litigation after the plaintiff's Levaquin lawyer requested the move. Arthur Dement filed his Levaquin lawsuit on July 25, 2011after experiencing side effects associated with the antibiotic. It was transferred to Minnesota multidistrict litigation on the 12th of January, 2012.

Levaquin multidistrict litigation in side effects cases

Dement's case is not unlike other Levaquin side effects cases, with the plaintiff filing suit against drug maker Johnson & Johnson after experiencing side effects such as Levaquin tendon rupture and Levaquin rotator cuff tears. Dement is seeking damages from Johnson & Johnson, including general, punitive, and special damages that total in excess of $75,000. 

Levaquin Lawsuits Address Tendon Rupture

Plaintiffs Arthur and Patricia Ilardi are the most recent victims to take Ortho-McNeil-Janssen and Johnson & Johnson to trial. Ortho-McNeil is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Levaquin. Levaquin, an antibiotic prescribed to treat life-threatening and drug-resistant bacterial infections, has been linked to tendon rupture since 1997.

In July 2008, Mr. Ilardi took Levaquin over the course of several weeks. Ilardi's treatment coincided with an order from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add a black-box (elevated) warning to Levaquin stating the product's risk of tendon rupture. Unfortunately for Ilardi, the warning had not yet been implemented. As a result of taking Levaquin, Ilardi claims he was rendered "sick, sore, lame and disabled" by "serious injuries," including Levaquin tendon rupture.

Levaquin Tendon Rupture Leads to More Lawsuits

A Levaquin tendon rupture lawsuit has been filed by Diane K. Eccles of Oregon, claiming that she suffered from Levaquin tendon ruptures in her shoulder, following using the medication for six months. Although there has been information about the potential risk of tendon damage on the drug’s label since it was first approved by the FDA in 1996, plaintiffs alleged that those warnings were insufficient and that the drug maker actively attempted to downplay the risk for years. Levaquin is the best-selling antibiotic in the U.S., pulling in about $1.5 billion last year. It is now also available as a generic from other drug makers. The most common Levaquin Lawsuit involves ruptures in the achilles tendon, though a growing number of cases are involving tears in the shoulder.

The FDA, in 2008, required an upgraded warning on tendon damage posed by Levaquin and similar drugs. In 2006, Public Citizen filed a petition with the FDA, requesting that stronger warnings be issued regarding Levaquin tendon rupture side effects. In January 2008, Public Citizen filed a lawsuit against the FDA in an attempt to compel the agency to order Levaquin’s maker to include a warning on the Levaquin label regarding the risk of tendon ruptures and other tendon injuries. Finally, in July 2008, the FDA issued a health alert notifying the manufacturers of certain antibiotics, including Levaquin’s maker, of the need to add a boxed warning to the prescribing information about the increased risk of developing tendonitis and tendon rupture in patients taking fluoroquinolones.

The tendon most frequently associated to the Levaquin induced ruptures is the Achilles tendon, however Levaquin has also been linked to tendon ruptures in the rotator cuff (shoulder), the biceps, the hand, and the thumb. So far, two Levaquin lawsuits of a reported 2,500 pending claims have made their way to court. One was found in favor of the plaintiff while the other was found in favor of Johnson & Johnson. The first lawsuit resulted in a jury awarded $1.8 million to a man who alleged he ruptured both Achilles tendons. In June 2011, however, a jury found in favor of Johnson & Johnson in a Levaquin lawsuit, after determining that the company properly warned about the risks associated with the antibiotic.

Drug Company Lawyer’s Request to Vacate Denied in Levaquin Lawsuit

The first Levaquin bellwether trial, which involved a lawsuit brought by John Schedin, resulted in a finding that the drug makers were liable for recklessly failing to warn consumers and doctors earlier about the risk of Levaquin tendon ruptures. The jury awarded $700,000 in compensatory damages and another $1.1 million in punitive damages as a penalty against pharmaceutical company. In December, a federal jury ordered Johnson & Johnson’s Ortho-McNeil-Jansen Pharmaceuticals to pay Schedin $700,000 in actual damages and $1.1 million in punitive damages. Actual damages will be reduced by $70,000 under the jury’s finding of 75 percent liability for the company. Ortho-McNeil’s lawyer argued that some of the closing statements made by Schedin’s lawyer were incendiary in persuading the Jury’s passions to award a large settlement. Judge Tunheim sided against this deeming all the statements “suitable for consideration.”

Levaquin Lawsuit Settlements Award Damages

Ortho-McNeil, manufacturer of Levaquin, has lost one major legal battle and may lose more. Levaquin, a synthetic chemotherapeutic antibiotic prescribed to treat life-threatening or drug-resistant bacteria, is also known to cause serious side effects. The most common, Levaquin tendon rupture prompted courts to hold them responsible.

John Schedin vs. Levaquin

John Schedin was the first plaintiff to win a Levaquin lawsuit – this one to the tune of $1.8 million in damages. In February 2008, Schedin took Levaquin to treat an upper respiratory infection. After just eight days of treatment, the plaintiff experienced bilateral Achilles tendon ruptures. Schedin filed suit against Ortho-McNeil on the grounds of insufficient product warning regarding tendon rupture, especially the case of elderly patients.

Lawyers for Ortho-McNeil argued that the label for Levaquin had contained warnings regarding tendon rupture since 1997, and that the company had updated the label in 2001 to reflect an increased risk of tendon rupture in seniors. Schedin's lawyers countered that updated fine print did not constitute adequate warning. Schedin's doctor was unaware of the updated label, and would not have prescribed the medication had he been aware. Furthermore, Schedin's physician explained that he no longer prescribed Levaquin, unless a patient demanded the drug. The jury agreed with Schedin's case and awarded the plaintiff $700,000 in compensatory damages and $1,115,000 in punitive damages.

Plaintiffs Charge LevaquinWith Score of Issues

When Levaquin entered the market, warnings about tendon Levaquin side effects were required on all fluoroquinolone labels, but were buried in a long list of potential adverse reactions, the plaintiffs claim. In addition, the warnings did not advise that tendon injury was tripled with fluoroquinolone use in people older than 60 and in those who are on corticosteroid therapy, according to the complaints. In fact, Levaquin manufacturers marketed the drug toward the elderly, especially those with upper respiratory infections who were likely to be chronic corticosteroid users, the suits state. "More disturbingly, Defendants' promotional campaign was themed on Levaquin's excellent safety profile and failed to disclose the risks of tendon injury," the complaints say. Johnson and Johnson and its subsidiary, Ortho-McNeil, are named as defendants because they test and manufacture Levaquin. 

The FDA has received reports of hundreds of individuals who experienced a Levaquin tendon rupture after using Levaquin or one of the other fluoroquinolones. As a result of the inadequate warnings currently provided, the consumer advocacy group, Public Citizen, filed a Levaquin lawsuit in January 2008 as a result of the FDA’s failure to act on a petition they filed in 2006, calling for more detailed information about the risk of Levaquin tendon ruptures to be added to the warning label. In addition to this,

Levaquin Trial Denies Wrongdoing by Manufacturer

Paul Gaffney, 67, and Robert Beare, 72, both of New Jersey, claim to have suffered Levaquin achilles tendon tears injuries because of Levaquin. Both men, who took Levaquin to treat sinus infections, were left them unable to walk and required surgery. The jury, in the end, found for the defendant leading to the second victory for Johnson & Johnson out of the three Levaquin cases that have made it to trial. In December 2010, the first trial ended in a $1.8 million award for the plaintiff, including punitive damages to punish the drug maker for their conduct. However, the drug maker successfully defended the second trial, which ended in June 2011.

In July 2008, the FDA announced that they will require the makers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics to place a prominent “Black Box” warning about the risk of Levaquin tendon rupture and tendonitis. They are also requiring a Medication Guide to be given to users when the prescription is filled. This requires the manufacturers to adequately describe the risk and urges users to contact their doctor if they develop signs of a tendon rupture, such as pain, swelling or inflammation.In August 2006, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen filed a Levaquin lawsuit with the FDA requesting that these stronger warnings be provided, but the drug makers and FDA failed to take steps at that time to warn users.

More Work for Levaquin Lawyers as Lawsuits On the Rise

More and more patients of the antibiotic Levaquin have decided to take legal action against drugmakers after experiencing serious side effects, which usually include tendon and rotator cuff damage. The antibiotic, often prescribed for upper respiratory infections, was approved for the United States market in 1996 and enjoyed relative popularity ever since. When it was approved it included a warning on its label of the possibility for tendon damages, although these Levaquin side effects were effectively buried in a list of other potential side effects.

Now thousands of lawsuits have been filed regarding the antibiotic as patients begin to come to terms with the damages it has caused them.Levaquin achilles tendon tears damages can range from mild to serious and as such the repercussions of these side effects can be minimal, but they can also be extreme. If the patient was still working when the tendon damages occurred, they might be unable to continue, especially if the patient was involved in manual labor. Depending on the patient’s insurance, he or she may have to pay as much as thousands of dollars out of their pocket in order to get treatment for their tendon injury. Because of this, many Levaquin lawsuits filed by former Levaquin patients are asking for compensation that will help cover medical bills,lost wages or ability to work, and other related costs.
 
Many of the Levaquin lawsuits are concentrated in New Jersey, where the first of almost two thousand trials is set to begin soon. Federal Levaquin litigation involves more than 1,300 individual cases, which have been consolidated in multidistrict litigations which are set to take place in the United States District Court of Minnesota. Levaquin litigations in most cases is still pending, so patients do not know what kind of settlement to expect, if anything. Depending on how the first cases in consolidated litigations pan out, it is possible that the makers of Levaquin will choose to make out-of-court settlement offerings towards some patients.

Former Levaquin patients who have experienced Levaquin side effects should take legal questions to an experienced personal injury lawyer. Potential plaintiffs should act fast to avoid the statue of limitations and should talk to their doctor to see if their tendon problems could be linked to their use of the drug.

Lawyers Gear Up For Levaquin Lawsuit Trials

Over a thousand Levaquin patients have been so affected by the side effects the antibiotic sometimes comes with that they have filed Levaquin lawsuit against the makers of the drug. Levaquin lawyer are handling over 1400 Levaquin lawsuits that have been combined in a form of litigation called multidistrict litigation, which allows plaintiffs with similar case details to have their pretrial processes be combined, making for a faster litigation process. Since many patients’ only hope of paying off medical bills accrued while convalescing with their side effects, a faster litigation process would be beneficial for all.

Patients with Levaquin side effects complaints were likely prescribed the antibiotic, which has a label warning of complications that range from insomnia to liver damage, to combat a relatively minor infection such as bronchitis, sinus infections, kidney infections, and urinary tract infections.

Minnesota MDL To Contain Thousands of Levaquin Trials

There are 1,314 Levaquin lawsuits pending in a multidistrict litigation in federal court in Minnesota, where two cases have already gone to trial. The first resulted in a $1.82 million verdict for the plaintiff, while the second ended in favor of the defendant. Across the country, there are more than 2,600 lawsuits making similar claims about Levaquin. One of these cases involves Barbara Urynowicz, who seeks damages claiming that she has suffered from sever Levauin  tendon rupture in her left ankle. An active

Levaquin Trial Begins in New Jersey

The Gaffney-Beare lawsuit is the first to go to trial in the New Jersey Levaquin mass tort litigation. The trial, which is being presided over by Judge Carol Higbee, is expected to last about four weeks. It is compiled of various Levaquin lawsuits filed by individuals whom have sustained unwanted Levaquin side effects. In his opening statement, Andres F. Alonso alleged that Paul Gaffney, 67, and Robert Beare, 72, both of New Jersey, suffered Achilles-tendon injuries because of Levaquin that left them unable to walk and required surgery. He said both men

Many Different Types of Tendon Rupture in Levaquin Lawsuits

Levaquin (levofloxacin) is an antibiotic which is prescribed to prevent bacteria from rapidly reproducing, causing infection.  It is part of a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones.  Although many of the reported cases of tendon ruptures have been one of the painful side effects of Levaquin, this condition has also been seen with the use of other antibiotics which are part of this class, including Cipro. A tendon rupture is a painful and debilitating injury which can require surgery and substantial recovery time.  The most common injury is Levaquin tendon rupture involving the: achilles tendon, shoulder and hand. In December, a federal jury ruled that the drug makers failed to adequately warn about the risk of Levaquin tendon ruptures,

Levaquin MDL Status Covered in New Conference

There are currently more than 2,500 lawsuits that have been filed on behalf of individuals throughout the United States who suffered a Levaquin tendon rupture. Of those cases, more than 1512 are pending in New Jersey state court and about 1000 are pending in federal court, where the litigation has been centralized for pretrial preceedings as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota before U.S. District Judge John Tunheim. A recent conference in Minnesota was held to review many subjects pertaining to Levaquin litigation. According to a prior Wall Street Journal report, one of the latest Levaquin lawsuits filed in a New Jersey state court on behalf of three plaintiffs from around the U.S. charged

Levaquin Punitive Damages Sweeten Pot

Many Levaquin patients who have experienced rotator cuff tearing and Levaquin tendon rupture associated with the popular and common antibiotic are looking for compensation that will help them cover costs like medical bills, lost wages, and other monetary losses associated with the side effects they have suffered. However, some plaintiffs are unaware that when filing a Levaquin lawsuit, many claims involve another kind of compensation, called punitive damages.

            Punitive damages are costs charged to

First Settlements of Levaquin Trials Find Fault With Warnings

An antibiotic sold since 1997 is the subject of a proposed class action that argues the drug causes a higher incidence of tendon injuries. Levaquin, a broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is marketed as a first-line therapy for common bronchitis and sinusitis infections. It is also approved for the use in treatment of various upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, prostatitis and other bacterial infections. Many injured parties continue to seek legal council in order to file a Levaquin lawsuit throughout the United States against Johnson & Johnson and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals over problems with Levaquin tendon ruptures. According to court documents, there are currently over 1500 Levaquin injury lawsuits pending in federal court, with hundreds more expected to be filed in the coming months.

New Jersey to See Levaquin Trials Go Forward

Sometime this month or early next month, the first of the New Jersey Levaquin lawsuit trials will begin with a combination of claims brought by Bob Beare and Paul Gaffney. Many plaintiffs, like Beare and Gaffney allege that they were inadequately warned about known risks associated with taking Levaquin. Levaquin tendon side effects, including increased risk of tendon damage and tendon ruptures, particularly involving the Achilles tendon. Levaquin is part of a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones.  Although many of the reported cases of tendon ruptures have been associated with the use of Levaquin, the side effects have also been seen with the use of other antibiotics which are part of this class.

Levaquin Lawsuits Hit or Miss

Plaintiffs in Levaquin-related cases were hopeful after a Levaquin lawyer netted his 82-year-old client a settlement of more than a million dollars - $1.8 million, to be precise – in a Levaquin-related lawsuit against drugmaker Johnson & Johnson. The man had ruptured both of his Achilles tendons after taking the antibiotic, and this success encouraged many of the more than 2,500 Levaquin plaintiffs, reassuring them that their cases could be successful.

Patients Question Levaquin Lawsuit Eligibility

With more than 2,500 Levaquin lawsuits in various stages of the litigation process in courts across the country, and around 1,000 of those lawsuits centralized in multidistrict litigation in Minnesota, the media attention suddenly surrounding the antibiotic has led many patients to question whether or not they could potentially have a Levaquin case.

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