Kidney Dialysis Lawyer Help: Resource4thePeople Notes Huge Increase in Number of GranuFlo, NaturaLyte Consolidated Federal Lawsuits Alleging Heart Problems
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) April 25, 2014 -- http://www.resource4thepeople.com/defectivemedicaldevices/Dialysis-Lawsuit.html
Resource4thePeople today announced key new developments for consumers who are interested in litigation over allegations that GranuFlo and NaturaLyte dialysis products caused life-threatening heart problems.
The first key development is that the number of federal lawsuits* that have been consolidated before a U.S. District Court judge in Massachusetts in what is called a multidistrict litigation has significantly increased.
There are now 1,578 lawsuits filed in the in re: Fresenius GranuFlo/NaturaLyte Dialysate Litigation in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts according to the latest figures** from the U.S. Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation.
“This is an increase of over 900 cases from the last reporting period in March and shows that more and more consumers are coming forth with claims similar to the allegations contained in this litigation,” said Resource4thePeople.
“We also have noticed a significant increase in the amount of consumer inquiries to our national network of attorneys over these allegations and will continue to maintain our offer of free consultations about the legal options consumers may have to seek compensation.”
Another key development is that U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock has scheduled a May 9, 2014 status conference with attorneys in the cases to update him on the status of the progress of the litigation, which is now in the preliminary stages of evidence-gathering and other legal procedures.
The consultations being offered by Resource4thePeople can determine eligibility to file a claim or lawsuit and define what costs -- such as medical expenses and pain and suffering -- may be sought as compensation, said Resource4thePeople.
“Our attorneys are focusing on allegations that mirror health concerns raised about GranuFlo and NaturaLyte dialysis products in a Class 1 Recall issued by the Food and Drug Administration*** March, 29, 2012,” said Resource4thePeople.
The FDA describes Class I Recalls as the most serious type of recall involving situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
The FDA warned in the recall about high serum bicarbonate levels that might contribute to metabolic alkalosis, which is a significant risk factor associated with low blood pressure, hypokalemia, hypoxemia, hypercapnia and cardiac arrhythmia that could lead to fatal heart problems.
“The increase in the number of cases corresponds to the increase in the number of consumer inquiries we are receiving in connection with the allegations raised in this litigation,” said Resource4thePeople.
In the Class 1 Recall*** of GranuFlo and NaturaLyte products federal officials spelled out details of the recall:
“The manufacturer is cautioning clinicians to be aware of the concentration of acetate or sodium diacetate (acetic acid plus acetate) contained in Fresenius' NaturaLyte Liquid and GranuFlo Dry Acid Concentrate. Inappropriate prescription of these products can lead to a high serum bicarbonate level in patients undergoing hemodialysis,” the FDA said. “This may contribute to metabolic alkalosis, which is a significant risk factor associated with low blood pressure, hypokalemia, hypoxemia, hypercapnia and cardiac arrhythmia, which, if not appropriately treated, may culminate in cardiopulmonary arrest. This product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including death.”
Resource4thePeople's national network of attorneys are answering questions from consumers alleging that they suffered cardiac arrest, heart attacks, strokes, sudden cardiac death and other side effects in connection with the allegations currently filed in the multidistrict litigation.
The docket of the multidistrict litigation* in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts summarizes the specific allegations involved:
“These actions share factual issues arising from allegations that Plaintiffs suffered injury or death caused by the use of GranuFlo and/or NaturaLyte products during hemodialysis, which allegedly may cause metabolic alkalosis in patients resulting in low blood pressure, hypokalemia, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, cardiac arrhythmia, or cardiopulmonary arrest. All the actions involve factual questions relating to whether GranuFlo and NaturaLyte were defectively designed or manufactured, whether Fresenius, the manufacturer of these dialysate products, knew or should have known of the alleged propensity of these products to cause injury and whether it provided adequate instructions and warnings with these products.”
Meanwhile, a group of state court cases**** containing similar NaturaLyte and GranuFlo allegations filed in Massachusetts have been consolidated in similar fashion before a single state court judge in Middlesex County.
Resource4thePeople also is informing consumers that as this litigation advances more lawsuits continue to be filed against Fresenius over similar allegations involving GranuFlo and NaturaLyte products.
One of the most recent was filed by the husband of a woman who, according to the allegations in the court file,***** died as a result of her dialysis treatment with NaturaLyte and/or GranuFlo.
His lawyers are claiming that Fresenius officials knew that serious heart problems might be a side effect of the treatment but failed to adequately warn consumers and health care providers, according to the court file.
According to the FDA, the affected NaturaLyte and GranuFlo Dry Acid concentrates were manufactured between January 2008 and June 2012 and are used in the treatment of acute and chronic renal failure during hemodialysis.
Meanwhile, FDA records show that Fresenius was cited****** by federal regulators over deficiencies uncovered at one of the company’s facilities.
Sources:
*In re Fresenius GranuFlo/NaturaLyte Dialysate Litigation 13-md-02428, U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, Judge Douglas P. Woodlock
**http://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_District-April-15-2014.pdf
***http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/listofrecalls/ucm309990.htm
****In re Consolidated Fresenius Cases, No. MICV2013-03400-O, Middlesex County Superior Court, Judge Maynard M. Kirpalani
*****Case # 2:13cv20858, Harris v. Fresenius, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Virginia, Judge Paul Zakaib Jr.
******http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2013/ucm344711.htm
Bill Callahan, iLawSuit, +1 858 602-2749, [email protected]
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