Many people in Tennessee and throughout the United States have been affected by the dangerous side effects of Pradaxa, a blood thinning medication manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries after taking Pradaxa, you might be eligible to participate in Tennessee Pradaxa lawsuits. Speaking to Tennessee Pradaxa lawyers affiliated with Attorney Group for Tennessee can help to ease your concerns. They will listen to your story, answer any questions you may have, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Dangerous Side Effects
The FDA approved Pradaxa in October 2010 to be used as a blood thinner for patients with atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of blood clots. However, many patients began to experience problems with hemorrhaging or internal bleeding. Some cases have led to more serious injuries; others resulted in death. Some of the side effects of Pradaxa that may indicate internal bleeding include:
- Lethargic feelings
- Bruises or bleeding from unknown causes
- Nosebleeds
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Pink or brown urine
- Stools that are black or red in color
- Vomiting blood
- Joint pain
- Death
Originally, Pradaxa was marketed as a safe drug compared to other blood thinning medications. Warfarin and similar drugs were linked to an increased risk of bleeding when the drugs interacted with certain types of food. However, treatment is possible for patients who experience bleeding after taking warfarin. Currently, there is no cure for patients who are taking Pradaxa and suffer an adverse reaction. This increases the likelihood of other medical complications or even death.
Changes after FDA Safety Review
In December 2011 – just over a year after the FDA approved Pradaxa for consumer use – the agency released a safety review about the side effects and concerns with taking this drug. Post-market reports showed that patients were experiencing significant problems, which raised questions about the safety of Pradaxa. As a result, the FDA planned to conduct further review of the serious risks associated with Pradaxa. Based on observations from an extensive clinical trial that supported the original approval, the agency wants to determine if reports of bleeding are a common occurrence.
Difference Between Tennessee Pradaxa Lawsuits and a Class Action
While many patients have been affected and have some legal recourse, there is a difference between Tennessee Pradaxa lawsuits and filing a class action suit.
Basically, a class action lawsuit is where attorneys pursue a claim for several named plaintiffs. They are suing because they have similar, or the same, losses from a particular company. For example, one person might notice that an over-the-counter medication fails to fulfill the advertised claims. A lawsuit can be filed on behalf of the person and others who bought the same drug. Generally, the court will certify the lawsuit as a class action case. If the plaintiff wins, the unnamed “class” of people also benefit from the judgment.
Pradaxa lawsuits, however, are often handled as Multidistrict Litigation cases. This is when multiple cases around the country are transferred to one court. There, case proceedings are handled. This legal procedure is common for lawsuits concerning dangerous prescription drugs for better management purposes. Multidistrict litigation cases help to save money, time and resources when a number of people are involved. Additionally, lawyers are able to get consistent rulings for their clients for similar issues.
How Tennessee Pradaxa Lawyers Can Help with Lawsuits
If you or a loved one has been hurt from the use of Pradaxa, the Tennessee Pradaxa Lawyers affiliated with Attorney Group for Tennessee can help. The Attorney Group for Tennessee recognizes that dealing with severe injuries or even death after taking a possibly dangerous drug can be very confusing and leave you with a lot of questions. The Attorney Group for Tennessee wants to help you by answering any questions you may have and help you determine what legal rights you have, and the consultation will cost you nothing. We also connect you with an experienced attorney that will help you pursue legal action, should you wish to pursue a claim. So contact Tennessee Pradaxa Lawyers today for your free consultation.
For more information, see our Pradaxa Lawsuit Help Center
