First MDL Levaquin Tendon Rupture Lawsuits Could be “Trial-Ready” by Jan 2010
September 23rd, 2008 • Filed Under: News • 20 Comments
A status conference was held earlier this month before U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim, who is overseeing the federal Levaquin litigation consolidated in Minnesota. At that time, lawyers for Johnson & Johnson and lawyers for plaintiffs who have filed Levaquin lawsuits alleging tendon damage caused by the popular antibiotic, indicated that they expect the first MDL cases to be “trial-ready” by January 2010.
Levaquin (levofloxacin) is a drug that is commonly prescribed to stall the reproduction of bacteria and prevent infection. However, it has been linked to an increased risk of severe tendon damage and tendon ruptures.
A number of Levaquin lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and their subsidiaries alleging that they failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential risk of tendon damage. The lawsuits claim that if users had been warned about the potential tendon side effects, they could have contacted their doctors at the first sign of problems and avoided a rupture or permanent damage.
In June 2008, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated all Levaquin tendon rupture lawsuits before Judge Tunheim for pre-trial litigation. The federal process, commonly referred to as an MDL, allows complex cases with similar underlying questions of fact to be centralized before trial for purposes of discovery and management. If the cases do not settle or otherwise resolve during the pretrial proceedings, they are then sent back to the original court where they were filed for trial.
A status conference was held in the Levaquin MDL on September 4, 2008. At that time, the court was provided with an update by the parties about the number of cases that have already been filed in the MDL and estimates about the total number of cases that may be transferred.
According to minutes from the meeting, the parties suggested that they anticipate the first Levaquin lawsuits could be “trial-ready” by January 2010. However, additional lawsuits alleging tendon ruptures from Levaquin continue to be filed in the MDL and various state courts, which could ultimately impact the pace of discovery. In addition, an unknown number of people who have experienced tendon problems while taking the drug are still having their cases investigated by Levaquin lawyers.
Comment by stephanie on 19 October 2008:
i have severe pain in knees and legs, and also in arms and hands. i have taken levaquin twice.
Comment by Andrea on 21 October 2008:
I got intense pins and needles which leads to severe numbness in hands after 2nd day on Levaquin 750mg. Did anyone else experience this?
Pingback by Johnson & Johnson Faces 33 Tendon Rupture Lawsuits Involving Levaquin : AboutLawsuits.com on 23 October 2008:
[...] to court documents filed in the Levaquin MDL, Johnson & Johnson currently faces at least 33 tendon rupture lawsuits involving their popular antibiotic. However, that number will likely grow substantially over the [...]
Comment by June on 28 October 2008:
I went to my Dr for chest congestion and was given levaquin for 7 days.
after day 3 I statred experiencing muscle pain from my legs up to my neck. and tingling in my hands and feet.
I stop taking the drug however I was hospitalized for 6 days.
Comment by Paul on 12 November 2008:
Was prescibed Levaquin for a kidney infection May 2005. Shortly after I woke up with numbness in my right arm, leg and foot. Tingling on the skin of my torso and loss of strength. My daughter noticed me tripping over stuff in the garage. I went in Monday Dr refered me to nuerologist
Never did I consider the Levaquin until I saw this site and the date on the old pill bottle.
Comment by karen on 16 December 2008:
Emergency Room prescribed Levaquin AND NSAID’s for bronchitis/sinus infection- NO mention of risks/side effects. Horrible drug- could not sleep & thought I was developing heart problems. NEVER take this drug!
Comment by Ron on 23 December 2008:
My husband was admitted to hospital, for one night, with a lung infection and given levafloxacin intravenously. A District Nurse then continued treatment at home for a further 6 days. On Day 2, my husband mentioned that he had severe pain in his ankles. Followig day the nurse said she had spoken with her boss who said “there could be problems”like this with the drug. It resulted in him being taken to see an Orthapaedic Surgeon, by ambulance, who diagnosed that both his Achilles Tendons were ruptured. It’s not possible to operate because of his lung condition so he has to hope that they heel in time. Very painful to walk and can’t manage stairs. He is angry to say the least!
Comment by Christopher on 22 January 2009:
I was prescribed Levaquin when I had pnemonia in April of 2008. My top lip became swollen beyond belief. It was so swollen, I was afraid that it was going to explode so I called the doctor that prescribed the medication and I returned to the doctor.
Comment by James on 29 January 2009:
I took this drug Sept 1/08 for lung infection. At the end of Sept started with pain in left heal which I attributed to old age. I found out on Thanlksgiving day about the possible side effects from this drug so went to see Orthopedic Surgeon on Friday 11/28 , Diagnosed with a partial tear and tendenittis in Left Achilles Tendon. I have been in a boot or custom brace since then and may require surgey to correct problem.
No warning issued when prescription was picked up.
Comment by mark on 16 March 2009:
i just recieved about levaquin,which really concerned me,i just finished my prescription of levoquin for pneumonia on march3rd 09 and since then my pneumonia hasn’t gotton any better i actually feel worse i went to hospital,and they told me to go home and finish my medication,my syptoms now are i get headaches,really tired i find sore,weakish,and my lower right side has been hurting,,now that i seen this email.i am gonna contact my doctor and tell her about these symptoms..
Comment by SEAKELP on 17 March 2009:
Dad took 500 mg for 7 days. Experiencing shortness of breath, weakness, insomnia, dry mouth, numbness in hands, swollen ankles and feet, depression, difficulty in walking, conjunctivitis, sore shoulder, lung inflammation, difficulty in urination, Now in hospital for almost three weeks. Doctors at first failed to tie symptoms to Levaquin.This was systemic poisoning, a tragedy. Docs discovered Lymphoma in lungs at hospital. Was this also caused by Levaquin? Gave him retuxin for that on top of Levaquin side effects. Oncologist at first failed to recognize the underlying problem, I suppose. Getting all kinds of drugs and antibiotics, without proper nutritional support, in my opinion.
Comment by Melissa on 8 April 2009:
I am so upset with this drug I don’t even know where to begin. I too was prescribe levaquin for an infection. I was given this drug several times for years. I had numbness in fingers, hands and feet. Now my acl in my right knee blew, my mniscus in my right knee is torn and now my right rotator cup is done! I tore the main tendon supporting it. I started having pain in my right shoulder shortly after taking it plus all the numbness but never thought it was linked to the drug. Now, all these symptoms make sense. I have been having pain in both my achilles areas, I just prey to god I don’t develope problems in that area. that will cripple me for life. I have problems walking now. I just want a cure! I feel like I’m just going to keep falling apart. Like it’s never going to end!
Comment by Kim on 25 April 2009:
I was treated for possible kidney stones at first, but after a few more tests, was rules out and told me I had a cyst on my ovaries. I was put on levaquin for 2 weeks. I now have a problem all on my right side from my hand up to my neck and both of my inner thighs. I never had a problem sitting in different positions because I was highly flexible. Now I can only sit straight but not for a long period of time. It is also now impossible for me to lift my arm straight into the air, or turn my arm backwards. I always slept on right side at night and now it is impossible so it takes me hours before I can actually get comfortable and fall asleep.
Comment by carl on 3 May 2009:
Started Levaquin 750 mgs for 10 days for a sinus infection on 4/11. On the 6h day (4/16) I had a complete rupture of my left Achilles Tendon without warning, or any symptomoloy. Surgery to correct on 4/21. Face 12 weeks of working with a cast, then after that phyisical therapy.
I am 51 years old… This is NOT right…
Comment by Louise on 6 May 2009:
My doctor prescribed Levaquin on April 24, 2009. I got so sick that I could not move my arms, legs and my tongue swelled. I called the Dr. after 2 bills and he said to stop taking them. My arms are very soar and I cannot lift anything with my left. It hurts to move it. It feels like I have sprained it bad. I am calling my Dr. again tomorrow to have it x-rayed.
I have and have had very bad head aches.
Comment by shelley on 7 May 2009:
your x rays will show no damage to anything
you had an allergic reaction to one of the most toxic drugs on the market today
i know because it happened to both me AND my 80 yr old mother too
i wish you all the luck in the world!!!
Comment by sharon on 7 May 2009:
in sept 08 i was prescribed levoquin and again in oct08. at the end of nov 08 suffered a torn rotater cuff and torn laborum of the right shoulder. surgery was required and am currently stll in physical therapy an unable to return to work.
Comment by Michael on 8 May 2009:
I started coming apart about two years ago. Went to my prescription history at Walgreens.com and connected the dots. Both elbows, knees, adductor tendon, insomnia, hip pain. Had 2 courses of costly rehab, and my work requires me to be on my feet all day. I hope there is an attorney out there who can help me. Medical bills have bankrupted me as well!
Comment by David on 9 May 2009:
I took Levaquin in Feb. 2005. In March I had a rupture of my right tendon. I was homebound for 1 year and still have problems. My left hand and elbow had numbness and pain for years after that. I had surgery on my hand and elbow Dec. 2008. I am otherwise a healthy person. The Doctors said they didn’t know why this was happening to me. I’m so f’ing pissed that I will make the Levaquin people pay for this. I will contact an attorney on Monday morning.
Comment by Jo on 27 June 2009:
OMG I took Levaquin two weeks ago for diverticulitis and it was AWFUL. Numbness, ears ringing, and dizzy spells from hell. I stopped it after 3 days. How do you get your money back from the pharmacy for this crap? Mine cost me $131!!!!!