First MDL Levaquin Tendon Rupture Lawsuits Could be “Trial-Ready” by Jan 2010
September 23rd, 2008 • Filed Under: News • 7 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!