Kristine Kraft of Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP Reports on the Formation of a New MDL for Claims Alleging Injuries from Testosterone Replacement Therapy Drugs
St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) June 11, 2014 -- On June 6, 2014, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) entered an order (Case MDL No. 2545, Doc No. 211) consolidating all claims filed in federal court alleging injuries involving testosterone products before The Honorable Matthew F. Kennerly in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in an MDL entitled In re: Testosterone Replacement Therapy Products Liability Litigation (MDL 2545).
During oral arguments before the JPML that took place on May 29, plaintiffs supported centralization of all cases alleging injuries arising from the use of testosterone replacement therapies, regardless of the manufacturer. The JPML decided to centralize all such cases in the Northern District of Illinois to serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses, while promoting the just and efficient conduct of this litigation. Although the JPML is typically hesitant to centralize litigation on an industry-wide basis, the JPML believed that in this situation it would be the best solution since a number of plaintiffs used more than one testosterone replacement therapy.
“We continue to hear from individuals who allege to have experienced life-threatening and serious injuries after using testosterone products,” says Kristine Kraft of Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP. The attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP are offering free and confidential case reviews to those who allege to have been injured after using testosterone products.
On January 31, 2014, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Safety Announcement that that it is investigating a potential link between testosterone use and stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and death, as demonstrated by published studies. The first study that prompted FDA’s Safety Announcement was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in November 2013 and suggested that testosterone replacement drugs may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and death. The study followed more than 8,000 male veterans with low testosterone. After comparing cardiovascular events in males taking a testosterone supplement with those who were not taking such supplements, the study concluded that men who used a supplement were 29% more likely to die, have a heart attack, or experience a stroke within three years of use. This was the result even after considering various factors that contribute to cardiovascular illnesses, such as age, blood pressure, and existing heart disease. The second study that prompted FDA’s Safety Announcement was published in the online journal PLos ONE on January 29, 2014, and concluded that older men, and younger men with pre-existing diagnosed heart disease, have an increased risk of heart attack following initiation of testosterone therapy. In particular, the study reported that men ages 65 years or older have a two-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first 90 days following the first prescription of testosterone therapy. And among younger men less than 65 years of age who have a pre-existing history of heart disease, the study reported a two- to three-fold increased risk of heart attack in the first 90 days following the first prescription of testosterone therapy.
About Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP
Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP is a unique law firm that has held numerous leadership positions in national litigations involving dangerous pharmaceutical medications and unsafe medical devices, including but not limited to: In re: Pradaxa® (Dabigatran Etexilate) Products Liability (MDL 2385), In re: Yasmin® and Yaz® (Drospirenone) Marketing and Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation (MDL 2100), In re: NuvaRing® Products Liability Litigation (MDL 1964), In re: Gadolinium-Based Contrast Products Liability Litigation (MDL 1909), and In re: Ortho Evra® Products Liability Litigation (MDL 1742).
The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Litigation Department at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton aggressively represent clients who allege to have suffered injuries as a result of dangerous pharmaceutical medications and unsafe medical devices. The attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP who represent such victims include Roger Denton, Kristine Kraft, Beth Wilkins Flieger, Ashley Brittain Landers, and Tara Rocque. With hard work, creative thinking, and strong trial skills, we have earned an outstanding nationwide reputation by representing thousands of individuals who have suffered serious and life-threatening injuries, or even death.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries after using testosterone products, please contact the attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP toll-free at 1-800-873-5297 for your confidential and free consultation.
Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP also welcomes the opportunity to work with other attorneys on these types of cases. Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP is available to either handle these cases or work as co-counsel, so other attorneys with these types of cases are invited to contact an attorney at the firm to explore this opportunity.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The cases discussed do not predict outcomes in future cases. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.
Kristine K. Kraft, Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP, http://www.druginjuryinformation.com/, +1 (314) 621-6115, [email protected]
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