MDL Blawg

More Lawsuits Filed in the Levaquin MDL

2009-09-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

More than 135 cases are currently pending in the Levaquin MDL. The Levaquin cases are currently consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. About 6o cases are also pending in state court according to co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the MDL.

Levaquin (levofloxancin) is FDA approved to treat a variety of infections. However, the lawsuits claim that the drug causes tendon ruptures among other tendon injuries. The tendon injuries tend to occur more frequently in people over 60 and in those on coritcosteroid therapy. The FDA requested a black box warning for Levaquin in July 2008.

Discovery in 13 bellwether federal court cases is ongoing with the first trial setting in August 2010.

Hearing Set on Motion to Consolidate Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella Litigation

2009-08-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

A hearing on the Petition to consolidate the Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella product liability litigation into an MDL is set for September 24, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. The hearing will be held before the Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation. If the federal cases are consolidated, they will proceed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

First Kugel Hernia Mesh Lawsuit Scheduled for March 2010

2009-08-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

According to a Case Management Order issued last week in the Kugel mesh MDL, the first of four "bellwether" trials will begin in March 2010. The other "bellwether" trials are scheduled for trial in April, July and September of 2010. The "bellwether" cases are designed to be representative of common issues throughout the litigation.

The Kugel hernia mesh MDL consists of more than 1,000 cases consolidated in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island. Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi is presiding over the MDL.

The Kugel hernia mesh cases are based on design defects in the patches made by Davol, Inc. a subsidiary of C.R. Card, Inc. The defects caused plaintiffs to suffer severe injuries after hernia repair surgery. Kugel hernia patches were the subject of three separate recall from December 2005 through January 2007. The litigation also involves non-recalled patches.

Petition to Consolidate Yasmin/Yaz Lawsuits Filed

2009-07-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

A petition was filed on July 24, 2009 to consolidate the Yasmin/Yaz lawsuits into an MDL in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The motion was filed with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in Washington, D.C.

The Yasmin/Yaz lawsuits involve Plaintiffs who have suffered injuries, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, seizures, gall bladder injuries, and death after using the birth control pills.

First Fosamax Trial to Begin in August

2009-07-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

The first "bellwether" trial in the Fosamax MDL is set to begin on August 11, 2009. The first Fosamax case to be tried was filed by Shirley Boyles who took the drug for over 9 years for treatment of osteoporosis. The lawsuit alleges she developed osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect of her Fosamax use.

The Fosamax lawsuits, over 600, have been consolidated in the the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The next case is set for trial in December.

Fleet Phospho-Soda Lawsuits Consolidated in Northern District of Ohio

2009-06-29T07:38:00.000-07:00

June 23, 2009 - The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation moved 38 Fleet Phospho-Soda lawsuits to the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Ohio. Pre-trial proceedings will be overseen in that court by Judge Ann Aldrich.

Fleet Phospho-Soda products were recalled in December 2008 due to a link between the products and acute phospate neuropathy--an acute kidney injury involving a buildup of calcium-phosphate crystals. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against C.B. Fleet in the past five years alleging the company knew of the dangers of their products, but did not sufficiently warn its consumers.

Chinese Drywall MDL to be in New Orleans

2009-06-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

June 16, 2009 - The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated the Chinese Drywall lawsuits and transferring the cses to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Judge Eldon E. Fallon will preside over the lawsuits. Judge Fallon is experienced in handling such large scale litigation, including overseeing the class action settlement against the manufacturers of Vioxx.