Newest Tylenol Liver Failure Lawsuit Allegations Report: Resource4thePeople Reports Number of Consolidated Federal Cases Continues to Grow
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) August 15, 2013 -- http://www.resource4thepeople.com/defectivedrugs/acetaminophen.html
Resource4thePeople today announced today its latest update about lawsuits involving allegations that Tylenol (acetaminophen) products and other acetaminophens may cause liver cancer.
The latest statistics* provided by federal court officials about the number of federal lawsuits involving these allegations that have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation shows the number of cases has risen to 80.
The figures were compiled by the U.S. Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, which assigned the cases to a federal judge in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The cases** before U.S. District Judge Lawrence Stengel were removed from other jurisdictions across the country and consolidated because they contain common claims from plaintiffs that they should be compensated over allegations that the use of Tylenol products and other acetaminophens caused liver cancer.
"These figures show that the number of victims who are alleging that they suffered life-threatening liver damage or failure from the use of Tylenol and other acetaminophens continues to climb," said Resource4thePeople.
"The continued growth in the number of inquiries from consumers about what legal options they may have to seek compensation over these allegations has caused our national network of attorneys to announce that they will continue to provide free consultations over these inquiries."
The allegations contained in consolidated federal lawsuits claiming that the use of Tylenol products may cause liver cancer are similar to a warning raised in a Food and Drug Administration health advisory*** issued over the same concerns.
"Many consumers are unaware of the possible side effects from the use of the popular pain-killer Tylenol, as evidenced by the allegations made in a multidistrict litigation now pending in federal court," said Resource4thePeople.
"Consumers should also be aware that even though this multidistrict litigation is progressing they still may be eligible file their own individual lawsuit over Tylenol liver cancer allegations," said Resource4thePeople.
"Every case involves a different set of facts but the best way to determine eligibility is to contact us as soon as possible for a consultation about the merits involved."
Resource4thePeople also said it will continue to provide updates for consumers about developments involving Tylenol and alleged cases of liver cancer as well as new government reports and recently published medical research on the issue.
Judge Stengel in a June 17, 2013 order**** posted the master complaint that contains allegations common to all of the plaintiffs who are suing the drug's manufacturers over these claims.
The master complaint identifies pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson and subsidiaries McNeil-PPC, Inc. and McNeil Consumer Healthcare as defendants in the lawsuits. The companies have denied the allegations, which the complaint specifies:
"As a direct and proximate result of the acts and omissions of Defendants, and Plaintiffs’ use of Tylenol, Plaintiffs have suffered death, serious permanent physical injury, life-changing, life-altering pain and suffering, loss of income, loss of opportunity, loss of family and social relationships, and medical, hospital, surgical and funeral expenses and other expenses related to diagnosis and treatment thereof, for which Defendants are liable," the plaintiffs claim in their filing. "As a direct and proximate result of Plaintiffs use of Tylenol, Plaintiffs have suffered and will continue to suffer pecuniary and other losses."
The complaint also contains allegations that "Plaintiffs have been prevented from pursuing their normal activities and employment, have experienced severe pain and suffering and mental anguish, and have been deprived of their ordinary pursuits and enjoyments of life."
The complaint also alleges that: "Plaintiffs' spouses have lost, presently and in the future, their spouse's companionship, services, society and the ability of Plaintiffs' spouses in said respect has been impaired and depreciated, and the marital association between husband and wife has been altered, and as such, the Plaintiffs' spouses have been caused mental anguish and suffering."
At this stage of the litigation the lawyers for both sides are in the preliminary stages of evidence-gathering, according to the court file.
Most of the lawsuits alleging links between Tylenol and severe liver damage were filed after the June 24, 2009 safety communication*** (updated on April 11, 2013) was issued by the Food and Drug Administration warning that the painkiller Tylenol (acetaminophen) when taken in doses stronger than the recommended amount can cause life-threatening health problems.
The FDA said it issued the warning after an advisory committee of medical experts and physicians met to address the problem of liver injury related to the use of acetaminophen in both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products.
The FDA said acetaminophen is the generic name of a drug found in many common brand name OTC products such as Tylenol, as well as prescription products such as Vicodin and Percocet.
“Acetaminophen is an important drug, and its effectiveness in relieving pain and fever is widely known,” said the FDA. “This drug is generally considered safe when used according to the directions on its labeling. But taking more than the recommended amount can cause liver damage, ranging from abnormalities in liver function blood tests, to acute liver failure, and even death.”
Resource4thePeople has discovered that many of the consumers who have made inquiries over this litigation were unaware of the possible side effects from Tylenol products that allegedly could cause liver damage or failure. These are now being detailed on the Tylenol official web site.*****
Sources:
*http://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_District-July-10-2013.pdf
**In Re: Tylenol (Acetaminophen) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation; Case 2:2013md02436
***http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm168830.htm
****http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/MDL/MDL2436/CMO7EXA.pdf
*****http://www.tylenol.com/tylenol-your-liver
Bill Callahan, iLawSuit, +1 (858) 602-2749, [email protected]
Share this article