Fosamax Lawsuit Set to Begin August 11 in Federal MDL

|
AboutLawsuits

Add Your Comments

The first in a series of Fosamax lawsuits are scheduled to begin next month in federal court over allegations that the popular osteoporosis drug causes permanent decay of the jawbone, known as osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Fosamax (alendronate sodium), which is manufactured by Merck, has been used by over 20 million people since the FDA approved it in October 1995. Before the medication became available as a generic last year, Fosamax sales generated over $3 billion annually for Merck.

Over 600 lawsuits have been filed against Merck by former users of the drug who allege that Fosamax side effects increase the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw or ONJ, which can include swelling or infection of the gums, loose teeth or tooth aches, pain in the jaw and exposed areas of bone inside the mouth. There is no cure or effective treatment for the painful and debilitating condition, and many people who suffer from jaw necrosis ultimately require surgery to remove portions of their jaw.

Do You Know about…

Spinal Cord Stimulator lawsuits

Spinal cord stimulator lawsuits are being investigated for individuals who suffered unnecessary shocks, burns or other problems, often resulting in the need for additional surgery to remove the SCS.

Learn More
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATION
Spinal-Cord-Stimulation-Lawsuit
Spinal-Cord-Stimulation-Lawsuit

Do You Know About…

Spinal Cord Stimulator lawsuits

Spinal cord stimulator lawsuits are being investigated for individuals who suffered unnecessary shocks, burns or other problems, often resulting in the need for additional surgery to remove the SCS.

Learn More
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATION

All of the federal suits over Fosamax are centralized and consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York before Judge John F. Keenan as part of an MDL, or Multidistrict Litigation. As part of the pretrial litigation, three “bellwether” cases were selected for early trials, designed to be representative of the issues that will come up throughout many cases in the litigation.

The first Fosamax lawsuit is scheduled for trial to begin on August 11, involving a case brought by plaintiff Shirley Boyles, who took Fosamax from approximately January 1997 to March 2006 for the treatment of pain and inflammation due to osteoporosis. Boyles alleges that she developed osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect of her Fosamax use.

According to an order issued earlier this month by Judge Keenan, jury selections and opening statements will begin on August 11 for the Boyles case. The presentation of evidence is expected to conclude by September 1, with summations and jury charges scheduled for September 2.

The Boles Fosamax lawsuit will be followed by a second trial scheduled to begin on December 1, 2009 for a claim filed by Bessie Fleming, and a third filed by Karen Greene, scheduled to begin January 11, 2010.

Tags: Alendronate, Alendronate Sodium, Fosamax, Infection, Jaw Necrosis, Merck, ONJ, Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Image Credit: |

More Fosamax Lawsuit Stories

1 Comments

denise
I HAVE TAKEN FOSAMAX AND BONIVA FOR 15 YEARS. I CURRENTLY HAVE SIGNIFICANT BONE DENSITY LOSS IN THE NECK REGION. I HAVE ALSO SUFFERED A STRESS FRACTURE OF THE RIGHT FOOT. FROM XRAYS TAKEN THE BONES, IN MY FEET ARE AS THIN AS TOOTHPICKS. MY MEDICAL TEAM IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISK OF FUTURE FRACTURES. I AM 63 YEARS OLD.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Share Your Comments

This field is hidden when viewing the form
I authorize the above comments be posted on this page
Post Comment
Weekly Digest Opt-In

Want your comments reviewed by a lawyer?

To have an attorney review your comments and contact you about a potential case, provide your contact information below. This will not be published.

NOTE: Providing information for review by an attorney does not form an attorney-client relationship.

MORE TOP STORIES

Recalled Omnipod 5 Injuries Skyrocket, Prompting Removal of Insulin Pump Pods
Insulet is removing certain Omnipod 5 insulin pump pods from use following a surge in reports of insulin delivery failures that raise risks of diabetic ketoacidosis and other serious complications.
Lawsuit Claims Abbott, Boston Scientific SCS Pre-Market Approval Caused Permanent Injuries
A Florida woman’s lawsuit alleges that Abbott Laboratories and Boston Scientific altered their SCS device batteries, firmware and stimulation features without adequate safety testing approved by the FDA.
Lawsuit Blames Depo Shot for Brain Tumors, Intense Headaches
A Depo-Provera lawsuit filed against Pfizer says the manufacturer knew Depo-Provera could stimulate brain tumor growth before the birth control shots hit the market, yet failed to warn doctors and patients.