Levaquin, a drug manufactured by a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary – OrthoMcNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. – is the topic of several lawsuits around the country that have since been consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation based in Minnesota. A mass tort litigation has been arranged in a New Jersey court.
Levaquin is a drug used to treat bacterial infections occurring in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, and other areas of the body. It soon became apparent that Levaquin was the cause of serious and painful side effects, primarily targeting patients’ tendons. Plaintiffs in the Minnesota MDL and the New Jersey mass tort litigation claim that Levaquin caused tendonitis, tendon rupture, joint immobility, and other joint complications.
As a result of increasing adverse event reports filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), OrthoMcNeil was ordered to update Levaquin’s label with information regarding Levaquin tendon damage.
According to court minutes from a Status Conference held in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota on December 4, 2012, the parties involved in the MDL are currently in negotiations relating to a three phase settlement. The goal of the settlement negotiations is to have the terms of the settlement defined early this year.
One case in the Minnesota Levaquin MDL is set to go to trial on March 5, 2013. Prior to that date, as outlined in the Status Conference court minutes, the Defense intends to put a number of motions in limine, and in particular the Defense is aiming to exclude expert testimony provided by a doctor. A ruling has not yet been made about the Defense’s request to put motions in limine.
The next Status Conference for the Minnesota Levaquin MDL is scheduled for January 8, 2013.
As detailed in an updated case document released in mid-December 2012, there are currently 1,835 cases pending in the New Jersey Levaquin mass tort litigation. The most recent case filed with the New Jersey court was done so on December 10, 2012. Bellwether trials in the New Jersey court have been scheduled for June of this year.
If you or a loved one has experienced one or more of the serious side effects linked to the use of Levaquin, such as tendonitis, tendon rupture, or other tendon damage, lawyers at Carey Danis & Lowe can help you and your loved one win the compensation for such an undeserved amount of suffering, pain, and losses.
Our experienced pharmaceutical product liability trial lawyers understand the importance of holding pharmaceutical giants like Johnson & Johnson and OrthoMcNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. responsible for putting defective drugs onto the market. We work closely with our clients in Levaquin lawsuits to win them the justice they so rightfully deserve.
To file a Levaquin lawsuit, contact a lawyer at Carey Danis & Lowe today by calling 800.721.2519.