Mass Torts - Friday, April 7, 2006 10:21 - 0 Comments

Mass Torts Update: Crestor and Guidant

• Crestor: Crestor is a member of a class of drugs commonly referred to as “statins” and is used to lower cholesterol. AstraZeneca originally filed its application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June of 2001. This application was delayed because of safety concerns revealed during clinical trials, which included reports of kidney damage and rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening condition that causes muscle cells to breakdown. We are currently taking cases involving rhabdomyolysis or kidney failure.

Primary Lawyer: Melissa Prickett
Primary Contact: Ann Kaufmann

• Guidant Heart Devices: In July of 2005, the FDA announced the recall of implantable defibrillators and pacemakers manufactured by the Guidant Corporation. These devices are surgically implanted in persons who have a type of heart disease that creates the risk of a life-threatening heart arrhythmia (abnormal rhythm). Some of the risks associated with the defibrillators are deterioration of wires and its inability to deliver therapy. One of the risks associated with the pacemakers is that a hermetic sealing component used in a subset of devices may experience a gradual degradation, resulting in a higher than normal moisture content within the pacemaker case. We are currently litigating claims involving these types of devices.

Primary Lawyer: Ted Meadows
Primary Contact: Amy Brown