Heparin Lawsuits Transferred

Toledo, OHAll Heparin lawsuits across the US will be transferred to US District Court in Toledo, according to the Toledo Blaze. So far, at least 30 lawsuits have been filed, although many more will likely join them as people learn that their serious health problems were caused by Heparin injections.

Many lawsuits that have been filed so far involve family members whose loved ones died after they were injected with the blood thinner. The lawsuits name Baxter Healthcare Corp as a defendant along with a Chinese supplier. Heparin was recalled in January after the drug was found to be contaminated with oversulfated chondroitin sulfate.

Earlier this year, a congressional subcommittee met to hear the stories of people whose loved ones were harmed by contaminated Heparin. Johanna Marie Staples, widow of Dennis Staples, testified that her husband was supposed to go to an evening birthday party after his dialysis treatment but during his dialysis he went into cardiac arrest. Dennis Staples died without ever regaining consciousness.

Another widow, Colleen Hubley, testified that her husband suffered from breathing difficulty and abdominal pain after one of his dialysis treatments. Paramedics were called hours later but they had difficulty getting a breathing tube in his swollen throat. The man died just one month after his mother died in similar circumstances.

Staples has filed a lawsuit against Baxter Healthcare Inc., seeking in excess of $75,000 plus court costs. Among the allegations in the lawsuit are claims that multiple and single-dose heparin vials were, "defective at the time they were placed in the stream of commerce," and that "Baxter knew or should have known that these products were defective at the time the products left their respective control and custody." The suit also claims that Baxter and other defendants, "intentionally concealed from the public and members of the medical community, including Decedent [Dennis Staples], the risks and dangers associated with the use of the multiple-dose and single-dose heparin vials…"

Baxter faces increasing criticism of its handling of Heparin, most recently from China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). The SFDA claims that Baxter did not cooperate with Chinese inspectors when they tried to examine its Heparin plant in New Jersey. The company responded by saying that they have fully cooperated with all investigations.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released information on Heparin, noting that serious injuries and deaths are associated with the use of the drug. Adverse reactions include, "allergic or hypersensitivity-type reactions, with symptoms such as low blood pressure, shortnes of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain." Of 100 deaths related to Heparin injections, 62 incidents involved either allergic symptoms or symptoms of hypotension.

In addition to injections, Heparin found on medical devices may also be contaminated. The FDA has received reports of 97 adverse events associated with such medical devices, including 11 deaths and 86 non-fatal events.

If you or someone you love was harmed by the use of Heparin, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.