Federal Judge Douglas P. Woodlock who is presiding over the Granuflo multidistrict litigation (MDL) has recently schedule a status conference. This status conference will centralize similar Fresenius dialysis lawsuits involving injuries from Granuflo and Naturalyte. The conference, scheduled for August 30, 2013, will provide Judge Woodlock the opportunity to meet with legal counsel to review the structure and organization for the consolidated proceedings and to discuss pending motions. The first scheduling conference will take place in the Joseph Moakley Courthouse in Boston, according to the July 29th judicial order.
MDL 2428: in Re: Fresenius Granuflo/Naturalyte Dialysate Products Liability Litigation is proceeding in the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, and was established in April to better manage the growing number of Granuflo and Naturalyte lawsuits filed in state and district courts throughout the country.
Granuflo and Naturalyte Side Effects
The dialysis injury lawsuits allege that Fresenius, the manufacturer of Granuflo and Naturalyte, withheld important information about adverse Granuflo side effects. Granuflo and Naturalyte are composed of the same basic ingredients, but are sold in powdered and liquid forms. Plaintiffs allege that Fresenius failed to warn healthcare providers about the importance of monitoring patient’s bicarbonate levels. Both products were shown to increase bicarbonate levels, leading to problems with low blood pressure, hypokalemia, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, cardiac arrhythmia and cardiopulmonary arrest.
In an internal memo, which was later leaked to the FDA, Fresenius found evidence of more than 900 incidents of heart attacks in dialysis patients using their products during 2010. In 2012, the FDA issued a Class I recall, and since that time, a growing number of patients and their families have made a connection between their injuries and Fresenius’ products.
As of July 10, at least 188 Granuflo and Naturalyte lawsuits have been transferred to MDL before Judge Woodlock. Court documents indicate that 700 additional cases are pending filing in forty-six states and many more are expected.
Phillips Law Firm Available for Assistance
In light of the latest developments, the Phillips Law Firm, which offers nationwide legal service, is prepared to offer experienced legal counsel to anyone in need of further information about Granuflo lawsuits.
If you or someone you love has been harmed after using Granuflo during dialysis, it is important to know that you are not alone. The national Granuflo lawsuit attorneys at Phillips Law Firm can help. We represent patients across the United States who have been injured or hurt after taking a dangerous drug. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Granuflo lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.