Xarelto is a commonly prescribed blood thinner that treats and prevents blood clots in order to lower the risk of stroke in patients who have atrial fibrillation. The drug’s makers developed Xarelto to be an alternative to the widely used blood thinner, Warfarin. The drug has become the focus of numerous lawsuits, with patients alleging severe side effects from taking the drug ranging from uncontrollable bleeding to death. A Michigan Xarelto lawsuit may be an option for patients who have suffered uncontrollable bleeding or other complications after taking Xarelto.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Michigan today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Blood Clots and Health Risks
WebMD explains that a blood clot, or thrombus, is a clump of gelled blood that forms over a break or tear in the wall of an artery, which prevents more blood from escaping while the wound heals. Once the threat of bleeding is past, the clot typically breaks up and is dispersed naturally.
According to the Mayo Clinic, when the thrombus forms in one of the veins deep in the body, there is a risk that it will break loose and travel through the artery to the lungs or heart rather than dissolving. These events are often fatal. Also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots are a particular threat for people with certain health problems, such as a blood-clotting disorder, cancer, obesity or heart failure. Pregnancy, surgery, some medications and prolonged bed rest are other factors that could lead to DVT.
People who suffer from arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, are at risk for fatal blood clots, as well. These form in the heart itself, which could block the flow of blood and cause a heart attack. Or, they may travel up the carotid arteries to the brain and cause a stroke.
Anticoagulants and Antidotes
Anticoagulants are blood thinners that are often prescribed for patients with DVT or arrhythmia, or who are at high risk for developing new clots, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians. However, once the blood has been thinned, a common side effect is bleeding. When a patient is taking warfarin, a commonly prescribed blood thinner, a doctor can reverse the effects of the anticoagulant in an emergency by administering vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma.
According to Drugs.com, a relatively new anticoagulant known as Xarelto has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat blood clots and prevent DVT and stroke. As with other blood thinners, Xarelto may lead to bleeding and other side effects. However, this medication did not have an antidote when it entered the market, which could place patients who are taking it at risk for uncontrollable bleeding.
Xarelto FDA Warning
In 2013, the FDA sent Xarelto’s manufacturers a warning letter following numerous adverse event reports of uncontrolled internal bleeding received by the agency. The manufacturers were asked to change the drug’s labeling to better reflect the risks associated with taking the medication. The letter also stated that the print ads released by the companies were misleading, since they downplayed the seriousness of the potential side effects.
Michigan Xarelto Lawsuit
Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer of Xarelto claiming that the drug caused severe bleeding. In one case, a man claims he developed bleeding in his brain as a result of taking Xarelto for an irregular heartbeat, leading to significant physical and financial damages. He alleges that the resulting injuries will affect him the rest of his life.
There are now over 3,000 Xarelto lawsuits filed that contain consistently similar claims, which are currently being combined into multidistrict litigation, or MDL. The Cornell University Law School’s Legal Information Institute notes that multidistrict litigation may be an option when there are related civil actions across many districts. The consolidation of the trials allows the information about the cases to be shared, and then the U.S. District Judge will choose several cases to be reviewed in bellwether trials. This reduces the duplication that would be necessary if all the cases were tried separately, as well as eliminating the potential for inconsistent results. Multidistrict litigation streamlines the judicial process considerably in situations such as these.
As there is usually a statute of limitations on when you can pursue a claim, it is important that you consult with a Michigan Xarelto lawsuit attorney to find out what your options are.
How a Michigan Xarelto Lawsuit Can Help
Drug manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are accompanied by full and accurate instructions and warnings to guide prescribing doctors and other health care providers in making treatment decisions. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
Patients who have been injured by Xarelto may be entitled to compensation for damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- The permanency of the injury
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Loss of income or ability to work
If a patient dies from complications after taking Xarelto, family members may be entitled to compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Conscious pain and suffering of a loved one prior to death
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish from the loss of a loved one
- Funeral expenses
Patients who have suffered severe side effects after taking Xarelto, as well as the families of those who have died as a result of complications with the drug, are encouraged to seek the advice of a Michigan Xarelto lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Michigan. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Michigan today.
