A California woman who allegedly developed diabetes by taking Lipitor recently filed a lawsuit against Pfizer, Inc. in federal court. According to the Lipitor lawsuit complaint, her doctor prescribed the drug to regulate abnormally elevated cholesterol levels in mid August of 2001. Although diagnosed with Type II diabetes before two full summers had passed, it was not until more than a decade after initial diagnosis that the plaintiff suspected a connected between Lipitor and diabetes.
Like many others who often face a lifetime of daily diabetes medications, adherence to strict dietary regimens and glucose tests after taking Lipitor, plaintiff feels deceived. In addition to potentially increasing the risk of heart disease, Type II diabetes presents greater odds of blindness, limb amputations, paralysis and going on dialysis for life due to kidney failure. These are all possibilities for anyone diagnosed with diabetes.
In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called for updates of all Lipitor package labels, but according to the lawsuit, that was too late for this particular plaintiff. But even the resulting warning is claimed to not be nearly enough due to vague language. The plaintiff also claims that, had she known the effects Lipitor could have on her life, she would have taken a different medication or taken other measures to improve her health.
Consequently, an opening count in her Lipitor lawsuitis that “… labels fail to warn of serious risks of developing Type II diabetes per se”. It further alleges, “Pfizer knew or should have known that risks of taking Lipitor included life-threatening Type 2 diabetes complications.”
Thus, “Defendant negligently, recklessly, and carelessly distributed and sold its product without adequate warnings of serious Lipitor side effects associated with unreasonably dangerous risks.” (See: Dorothy Porter v. Pfizer Inc., Case No.: 3:14-cv-00736-LB, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California)
Injured? Consult a California Lipitor lawyer
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Type II diabetes after taking Lipitor, consider contacting Attorney Group for California. We are here to help you determine if you have a case, and help you understand your legal options. If you decide to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an experienced California Lipitor lawyer who can assist you in filing your lawsuit. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.
