Plaintiffs in Mirena IUD Litigation Seek Consolidation of Certain Lawsuits over Similar Injuries Associated with Cranial Pseudotumors, Parker Waichman Announces
Port Washington, NY (PRWEB) June 02, 2014 -- Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by defective drugs and medical devices, announces that individuals who have brought lawsuits against Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc. over its Mirena intrauterine contraceptive system (IUS) have asked the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPMDL) to consolidate nine personal injury lawsuits in federal court in the Middle District of Tennessee. The lawsuits similarly allege that the Mirena’s release of the synthetic hormone, levonorgestrel, leads to significant neurological conditions. The case pending is No. 63 document 1-1, and was filed on May 27, 2014: In re: Mirena IUS Levonorgestrel-Related Products Liability Litigation, before the Judicial Panel of Multidistrict Litigation.
The lawsuits, which have been filed since December 2013, similarly involve the Mirena IUS' release of levonorgestrel and allegations that release of this hormone is associated with adverse health reactions, such as the development of pseudotumor cerebri, which leads to a fluid buildup the patient’s skull that may cause blindness. Plaintiffs argue that the cases, which have been filed in various states, may potentially lead to inconsistent rulings; therefore, consolidation would better coordinate the discovery process and other activities. (Case pending, No. 63 document 1-1, filed May 27, 2014, In re: Mirena IUS Levonorgestrel-Related Products Liability Litigation, before the Judicial Panel of Multidistrict Litigation.)
According to the just-filed brief, the plaintiffs indicate that, "Plaintiffs seek pretrial consolidation of the proposed Mirena IUS Levonorgestrel-Related Product Liability Litigation multidistrict litigation at this time because it will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses, will promote the just and efficient conduct of present and future actions, and will avoid inconsistent rulings in various courts." (Case pending, No. 63 document 1-1, filed May 27, 2014, In re: Mirena IUS Levonorgestrel-Related Products Liability Litigation, before the Judicial Panel of Multidistrict Litigation.)
Parker Waichman LLP comments that it is involved with lawsuits brought against Bayer over alleged adverse reactions associated with its Mirena system and continues to be available to assist those individuals who have suffered injuries related to these behaviors.
The plaintiffs also allege that Bayer believes that the Mirena system thins the lining of the uterus, which creates an environment in the womb that discourages pregnancy. The device label does not indicate any potential association between the Mirena and pseudotumor cerebri, a serious medical condition that may lead to blindness. Plaintiffs argue that Bayer should have advised consumers of this dangerous link. (Case pending, No. 63 document 1-1, filed May 27, 2014, In re: Mirena IUS Levonorgestrel-Related Products Liability Litigation, before the Judicial Panel of Multidistrict Litigation.)
This proposed MDL (No. 2434) is dissimilar to a pending multicounty litigation (No. 297) brought against Bayer and involving the Mirena system. That litigation is pending in New Jersey and involves allegations involving cervix or uterine wall perforation. There are 811 Mirena cases pending in New Jersey as of today. These were consolidated in May 2013 by the New Jersey Supreme Court for trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County. In that litigation, plaintiffs allege, among other issues, that package labeling does not warn about spontaneous migration of Mirena and only states that migration may occur if the uterus is perforated during insertion. Allegations also include that according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the most serious side effects associated with the Mirena IUD are perforation of the uterine wall, embedment of the device in the uterine wall, intrauterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, Group A streptococcal sepsis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, and breast cancer.
“The alleged injuries associated with the Mirena in all of these lawsuits are significant and, in many cases, life-altering. Consolidation to ensure that alleged injury claims are similarly represented helps to move the litigation and eliminate duplicative efforts,” said Gary Falkowitz, Managing Attorney at Parker Waichman LLP.
The attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP are actively involved in the Mirena IUD litigation: Partner Raymond C. Silverman has been appointed Co-Lead Counsel in the Mirena IUD multicounty litigation centralized in Bergen County, New Jersey. Matthew J. McCauley, Senior Litigation Counsel at Parker Waichman LLP, was previously appointed Co-Lead Counsel in the Mirena IUD multidistrict litigation in New York. Mr. McCauley also co-chairs the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Mirena IUD Litigation Group. The Group is actively involved in exchanging educational materials and medical literature in order to best represent victims.
Parker Waichman LLP continues to offer free lawsuit consultations to victims of Mirena IUD birth control. If you or a loved one experienced complications following the use of this device, please visit the firm's Mirena® IUD Side Effects page. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
Gary Falkowitz, Parker Waichman LLP, http://yourlawyer.com, +1 (800) 529-4636, [email protected]
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