June 27, 2012 — Federal Pradaxa lawsuits against Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals may soon be consolidated into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). Unlike class action lawsuits, MDL lawsuits remain independent, but they are consolidated to increase efficiency and reduce the risk of conflicting rulings. Currently, there are 21 Pradaxa lawsuits alleging similar injuries proceeding in 12 district courts around the nation.
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) is considering motions to transfer the federal lawsuits into an MDL. There is disagreement about which federal court is best for the MDL.
Plaintiff Vera Lee Sellers originally filed a petition on May 30, 2012, seeking to transfer the Pradaxa lawsuits under U.S. District Judge David R. Herndon of the Southern District of Illinois. Judge Herndon has recently overseen the Yaz and Yasmin litigation.
Boehringer Ingelheim filed a response to the petition on June 21, 2012, disagreeing with the choice of venue. The pharmaceutical company wants the MDL in the District of Connecticut, where the company’s headquarters are located. They say this location is ideal because it is central to the location of documents, witnesses, and parties.
The JPML has scheduled oral arguments on the dispute for July 26, 2012.
Centralizing the litigation would likely make it easier for both parties to exchange information, prepare initial cases, increase convenience for witnesses and both parties, expedite litigation, and reduce costs.
It is possible that hundreds or thousands more Pradaxa lawsuits could be filed as the litigation proceeds. In 2011 alone, the FDA received reports of 542 deaths and 2,367 serious bleeding or hemorrhaging events. The agency is currently conducting studies to determine whether the risk of bleeding is higher with Pradaxa than Coumadin (warfarin). The blood-thinning effects of warfarin can be reversed with a dose of Vitamin K, but a patient on Pradaxa must undergo 2-3 hours of dialysis to reverse its anti-clotting effects. In the event of an emergency bleeding situation, this could be too long to prevent bleeding to death.
Do I have a Pradaxa Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Pradaxa injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by severe bleeding, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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