Yaz Lawsuit Settlements

Yaz birth control side effects involving pulmonary embolism is caused by an embolus that travels to the lung arteries, forms a blockage, and prevents blood from reaching the underlying tissue. The tissue begins to die. The once-healthy portion of the lung is eventually replaced by scar tissue. Please contact us for the latest Yaz lawsuit settlements news and information.

The extent of lung damage that results from a PE depends on the size of the embolus – in this case, a blood clot – and how quickly a blockage is treated. Because symptoms are similar to those which present for other ailments, the first step is to form a conclusive diagnosis. One of the most accurate diagnostic methods used today is pulmonary angiography. It is also among the most invasive.

How Pulmonary Angiography Is Performed

The purpose of a pulmonary angiogram is to show how blood flows through your lung arteries. X-rays are taken that help your doctor identify abnormalities that are blocking the passage of blood to the lung tissue. Because x-rays will not display blood clots, a radiopaque contrast dye must be introduced into your arteries. This is done through catheterization.

Your doctor will make a small incision in your groin or arm, and insert a catheter into a nearby blood vessel. The catheter is guided toward your vena cava, a large vein that carries oxygen-poor blood directly to your heart. The catheter is threaded through this vein, into the right side of your heart, and finally, into one of your pulmonary arteries. There, the contrast dye is released.

As the dye flows through your pulmonary arteries, live x-rays reveal areas where blockages exist. This makes it relatively easy for your doctor to identify clots that are preventing blood from reaching your lung tissue.

Once the x-rays have been taken and your doctor is satisfied that the arterial network of your lungs is sufficiently displayed, the catheter is withdrawn. The test requires less than two hours to complete.

Potential Risks Associated With The Test

Though it is extremely accurate for diagnosing Yaz problems involving a PE, pulmonary angiography poses several risks. First, the introduction of the catheter into the right side of your heart can potentially cause a mild disruption in your heart rhythm. It is usually temporary and can be controlled with medications.

Second, the radiopaque dye can cause kidney damage. Though it is usually temporary, the damage is occasionally permanent.

Third, there is a risk of bleeding at the entry site (i.e. groin or arm). Bleeding under the skin can cause a hematoma. Like most bruises, it will resolve itself with time.

Fourth, patients occasionally have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. This reaction may be mild and limited to itching or a small rash. Or, it can be more serious and include breathing difficulties and even shock.

Because of the potential risks and invasive nature of pulmonary angiography, the test is normally reserved as a last measure for producing a conclusive diagnosis. In most cases, a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan and helical computerized tomography (CT) scan are done beforehand.

What Happens After PE Is Diagnosed?

Once your doctor has diagnosed a pulmonary embolism, anticoagulants are administered to prevent further clotting. If the existing blood clots are large and have create a sizable blockage, thrombolytic medications are introduced to dissolve them.

In circumstances where your life may be in danger, your doctor may perform a catheter-based technique called suction thrombectomy. He or she will thread a catheter to the blockage and attempt to shatter the clot. If these treatment measures are unsuccessful in resolving a life-threatening PE, a surgeon may perform pulmonary embolectomy. This is an invasive surgical procedure during which the offending clot is removed.

If you have suffered from Yaz side effects including deep vein thrombosis, or PE after taking this birth control pill, you may be due compensation for your injuries. Yaz lawyers can help explain your legal options.

Hernia Mesh Recall

Patients suffering from hernia mesh problems continue to look at their legal options including filing a hernia mesh lawsuit. The Kugel mesh hernia patch was made available to the market in order to aid the healing process of a hernia surgery. Many believed this product ever since it came out. But after this patch was implanted to numerous of patients, many complained about extreme abdominal pains. Once the FDA found out about this, they announced a hernia mesh recall of this product which was followed by consumers who filed a Kugel mesh lawsuit. This is certainly a serious matter because there are many lives that were put in danger. They thought everything would bring back their normal state once they use this kind of patch but the result turned unfavorable to them.

What is a hernia? A hernia occurs when a part of an internal organ commonly the intestine or colon protrudes through a weak muscle or membrane that holds the abdominal organ in place. There are several kinds of hernia namely inguinal, incisional, umbilical, and femoral hernia. Before the patch recall was announced, thousands of kugel hernia mesh patches were implanted in patients throughout the United States.

The Kugel mesh patch was supposed to help patients with hernia. This medical innovation was hailed by doctors everywhere. But it was not until problems regarding the product started to arise. Many people were involved including the companies which produces it. The mesh hernia patch was found to be a harmful medical product and this called for major actions from the involved parties. Lawsuits have been filed by patients who have suffered complications following surgery.

In recent years, the FDA announced a Kugel mesh recall after discovering that the plastic ring that connects the mesh patch was prone to breaking. When this happened, the hard plastic break point of the ring could puncture internal organs. Patients experienced side effects including perforated bowels and chronic fistulas. To date, more than 80 people have had injuries, including death, as a result of complications from the Kugel patch.

Reports indicate that the Kugel patch manufacturer, Davol, Inc., a subsidiary of C.R. Bard Inc., was aware of defects with the ring, but may not have tracked them effectively or addressed them immediately.

As a result of the complications caused by the defective device, affected patients have initiated a hernia mesh lawsuit seeking compensation. If you have had surgery to repair a ventral hernia in the last five to eight years, you may be included in this group.

Hernia patients coming forward with obvious side effects made the Kugel patch recall successful. The risks involved before the said recall were notable. Death is the most distinguished danger the patch has brought to hernia patients. Possible complications like bowel perforation, bowel obstruction, and intestinal fistula could add up to the list. Those who have received this patch may have experienced unexplained, persistent abdominal pain, fever, tenderness to the implant site, nausea, and vomiting.

The FDA or the Food and Drug Administration had spearheaded the spread of information regarding the Kugel mesh hernia patch. The Kugel patch recall has been done before more patients became at risk for the bad effects of the hernia patch. The FDA urged many patients who receive the Kugel patch to seek immediate medical attention because of the products indicated malfunctions. Patients were advised to see a doctor whether the patch should replaced or removed. This recall issued by the FDA was classified as class 1 recall making it as one of the most serious recalls.

Reglan Lawsuit

More patients who have suffered from Reglan tardive dysinesia problems are exploring their legal rights including filing a Reglan lawsuit. The drug and its generic version metoclopramide are prescribed to treat a number of different problems including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), post-chemo nausea, diabetic gastroparesis, and other ailments. By inhibiting a chemical called dopamine, the Reglan drug can also work by preventing the relaxation of a person’s stomach muscles. In doing so, it encourages muscular contractions that move food from the stomach into the intestines more quickly. That aids in preventing the stomach’s contents from flowing back into the esophagus through an open esophageal sphincter.

As a short-term treatment solution, Reglan is effective. It can relieve symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diabetic gastroparesis, and post-chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. The problem is that many patients take too many doses, or they overdose. Both circumstances can trigger the onset of Reglan side effects.

The Dangers Of Chronic Metoclopramide Use

When used over short periods of time to treat reflux-related conditions and their associated symptoms, metoclopramide has proven to be effective. However, therein lies the problem. Many people are unaware that long-term use of the drug exposes them to significant risk of developing devastating side effects.

Because Reglan is effective in treating symptoms that would otherwise cause significant discomfort, many patients take the drug for months. As a result, the number of victims who are suffering from serious side effects is growing. The problem has become so widespread that the FDA issued a black box warning on all Reglan products in early 2009.

Why Victims Are Filing Reglan Lawsuits

Studies have shown that patients who use metoclopramide products for longer than twelve weeks are in danger of developing tardive dyskinesia, an incurable neurological condition. Symptoms include involuntary grimacing, lip smacking, eye blinking, and thrusting of the tongue. Patients may also manifest symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, including muscular rigidity and tremors. In rare cases, neuroleptic malignant syndrome might present.

Some people belive Reglan manufacturers were not only aware of the dangers, but also failed to adequately warn consumers of the more serious side effects of Reglan. In fact, recent metoclopramide lawsuits have pointed out that manufacturers knowingly downplayed the level of risk involved. People have argued that they knew the danger of developing tardive dyskinesia was greater than what the warnings stated. There are further indications that manufacturers chose not to look into whether their labeling was accurate, even after a public safety issue had been identified.

Victims who are suffering from Reglan tardive dyskinesia symptoms and other side effects are stepping forward to hold these manufacturers responsible. They are filing lawsuits claiming damages. Indeed, living with tardive dyskinesia carries not only a social and emotional cost, but a financial one, as well. Sadly, many victims are unaware that they may have legal recourse.

The Danger Of Reglan Side Effects

The fact that Reglan is a short-term treatment solution cannot be overstated. Patients who take the drug for periods exceeding twelve weeks expose themselves to a heightened risk of developing severe side effects. Overdosing and taking doses too frequently will also increase your exposure to side effects. While the FDA has approved the use of Reglan, it recently issued a black box warning on the drug. If you are already suffering from tardive dyskinesia or other side effects caused by metoclopramide drugs, it may be time to consider your legal options including a Reglan lawsuit.

Medtronic Lead Recall News

On October 15, 2007, Medtronic announced a Sprint Fidelis Medtronic lead recall of its defibrillator leads.   Medtronic announced that the recall was due to “the potential for lead fractures.”   At the time of the recall, there were reports of at least five deaths associated with the defibrillator leads.  The Food and Drug Administration classified the recall as “Class 1,” which is the most serious type of recall and involve situations where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious injury or death. 

What is a Defibrillator?

Some people are at risk of having abnormal heart rhythms. A defibrillator monitors heart rhythms.  If it detects an unstable rhythm, it delivers an electric shock or jolt to the heart (approximately 750 volts, which is more than 100 times the shock delivered by a pacemaker) to shock the heart back to normal rhythm.  A defibrillator contains two parts.  The first is a computerized device that monitors the heart rhythms and decides whether to shock the heart.  This devise is implanted under the skin near the shoulder.  The second part of a defibrillator is called “leads.” These wires are what was covered under the Sprint Fidelis Medtronic recall in 2007. For filing deadlines and the latest Medtronic lead lawsuit news please contact us for a free consultation.

What are Leads? 

Leads are wires that connect to the defibrillator.  They are threaded through veins to specific parts of the heart.  The leads perform two functions: (1) they deliver information of an abnormal heart rhythm to the defibrillator; and (2) send a shock to the heart when an abnormal rhythm is detected.  

Medtronic Lead Fracture Problems? 

Lead fractures, or breaks, can cause the defibrillator to deliver an unnecessary shock to the heart, or fail to deliver a shock when one is needed.  Following a Medtronic lead fracture, some patients have died and many others have reported experiencing problems including unnecessary shocks and jolts.  The following defibrillators have been recalled due to problems with the leads:

• Sprint Fidelis 6930
• Sprint Fidelis 6931
• Sprint Fidelis 6948
• Sprint Fidelis 6949

Approximately 268,000 Sprint Fidelis leads were implanted worldwide. 

What do I do if I have a defective Medtronic lead?

There is no way to test for a lead fracture on your own.  If you have a wallet card, check the model numbers for 6930, 6931, 6948, and 6949.  If you have one of these models, or are unsure, the Food and Drug Administration recommends contacting your doctor immediately.  For these models, Medtronic and the FDA recommend patients who have one of the recalled lead models implanted to have their defibrillator settings adjusted, which may increase the likelihood that a fracture will be detected before a patient is harmed.  Medtronic and the FDA recommends against having the leads removed because of removal risks.  However, patients should discuss all options with their physicians.  

Is there a Class Action Lawsuit? 

Lawsuits against Medtronic for defective leads are handled through what is called multidistrict litigation, or “MDL.”  The lawsuits are pursued individually, but are consolidated for the “discovery” phase and transferred to the federal court in Minnesota, which is where Medtronic is located.  After the discovery stage, the cases are transferred back to the original court where they were filed.  This means that, although there could be tens of thousands of cases, they are handled individually.  Many patients have been affected by a lead fracture while others have an implanted lead that was recalled, but have not suffered a lead fracture and continue to be monitored. Please contact us for the latest Medtronic recall 2010 information.

Nuvaring Lawsuit News

Nuvaring side effects involving a pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the lung arteries. It is caused by a blood clot, typically one that forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the lungs. The most common place for a thrombus (i.e. clot) to originate is in the deep veins of the legs. This is a condition known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT.

Nuvaring blood clots that form in the leg veins normally remain attached to the venous lining. As long as they do so, their immediate effects are usually limited to circulation issues and post-thrombotic syndrome. They pose a more serious danger if they break free from the vein’s wall. This allows them to travel with your bloodstream to your heart and lungs.

Blood is carried from your heart to your lungs through the pulmonary arteries. If a clot travels into one of these arteries, it can cause a blockage. This prevents blood from reaching your lung tissue, triggering a PE. For the latest news and filing deadlines for a Nuvaring lawsuit please contact us for a free no-obligation consultation.

Side Effects Of A Blocked Pulmonary Artery

When a portion of your lung tissue is starved of blood, it suffers damage. The extent of the damage depends on the size of the blockage and how long it persists. In some cases where the offending clot is extremely small, a PE may not present noticeable symptoms. In other cases where the clot is large or there are multiple small emboli creating one or more blockages, symptoms may be severe.

The most common side effect of a pulmonary embolism is a marked shortness of breath. This may be accompanied by chest pain, coughing, and other breathing difficulties, especially following strenuous activity. Some patients also experience symptoms similar to those associated with myocardial infarction (i.e. heart attack). These include pain in the jaw, arms, and neck.

If the PE persists for a prolonged period, or the blockage is substantial and starves a major portion of lung tissue, it can cause more serious side effects. You might experience a bloody cough, a severe drop in blood pressure, and even cardiac arrest. For this reason, the condition should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Diagnosing A Pulmonary Embolism

Unless the blockage is severe, diagnosing blood clots in the lungs may be problematic. This is because thrombi are not instantly identifiable on x-rays and other preliminary tests. Moreover, many of the symptoms patients present are not unique to PE; they may suggest unrelated conditions.

After taking x-rays and doing an electrocardiogram, your doctor may use ultrasound to detect thrombi in your leg veins. He or she may then order a lung scan (called a ventilation-perfusion scan) and computerized tomography (CT) scan to further support a suspicion of Nuva Ring blood clots in your lungs. If these tests cannot conclusively diagnose lung clots, a pulmonary angiogram is done. This test is invasive, but very accurate for diagnosing PE.

Treating The Condition

After your immediate symptoms have been brought under control, the priority shifts to clot prevention. Anticoagulants such as warfarin and heparin are given to prevent further clotting from aggravating your condition.

If the blockage is large, your doctor may administer clot-busting drugs called thrombolytics. These might include reteplase, anistreplase, streptokinase, or a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). While thrombolysis is effective for dissolving dangerous clots, they pose a serious risk of bleeding.

If a thrombus is large enough to place your life in danger, your doctor may attempt to break it apart or surgically remove it. A technique called suction thrombectomy can be done to shatter the thrombus. This is accomplished with a rotating device positioned on the tip of a catheter. The alternative is a procedure called pulmonary embolectomy. It is performed to surgically extract the clot from the lung artery.

Nuvaring side effects involving pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. If you or someone you know has suffered blood clots, DVT, PE, or other birth control ring side effects, invest the time to contact a Nuvaring lawsuit settlements attorney. You may have the right to file a claim for compensation against the manufacturer.

Yaz Lawsuit Gallbladder

Yaz gallbladder removal problems caused by gallstones can be complicated. Given the right set of circumstances, stones can cause infection, fistulas, polyps, organ perforation, and acute pancreatitis. Infection can lead to additional problems, such as liver and kidney damage. For these reasons, it is important to diagnose stones as soon as possible. Please contact us for the latest Yasmin, Ocella and Yaz lawsuit gallbladder litigation updates.

Gallstones often cause symptoms that are similar to those presented by other conditions. Your doctor will first try to rule out stomach ulcers, kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux, and a few other disorders. Once he or she is reasonably confident stones are causing your symptoms, blood tests and ultrasound are used to diagnose them.

Ultrasound is an accurate imaging technique. It can detect most gallstones as long as they measure at least 2 millimeters in diameter. Unfortunately, it is far less accurate for detecting bile duct stones. This usually requires an imaging method called cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan).

How A HIDA Scan Is Performed

This test uses a radioactive material that is introduced into your bloodstream by injection. Your liver removes this material from your blood and secretes it along with bile fluid. The chemical then flows through your biliary tree. It moves through the cystic duct into your gall bladder, then outward into your common bile duct and into your small intestine.

This chemical produces radioactivity, which can be detected with a special gamma camera. Your doctor will use this camera to take images of the material as it moves from your liver, into your gall bladder, and through the bile duct. If the chemical fails to fill the gallbladder, that suggests stones may be present in the cystic duct. Likewise, if the chemical’s movement through the bile duct is slowed, that suggests bile duct stones.

The advantage of using a HIDA scan is that the test is very precise. It is more accurate than ultrasound for diagnosing obstructions in the cystic and bile ducts. The drawback is that it requires the injection of the radioactive material and takes up to two hours to complete.

Bile Duct Blockages Caused By Yaz Side Effects

Gallstones that form an obstruction in the bile duct are especially problematic. They can set the stage for infection in the duct (known as cholangitis) as bacteria ascends the biliary tree from the duodenum. This bacteria is normally controlled when bile fluid flows unobstructed through the duct. A blockage allows the bacteria to fester, leading to infection. Unless it is treated with antibiotics, infection can climb toward your liver and cause damage.

Another problem occurs when stones migrate further down into the bile duct. They can form an obstruction past the point at which the bile duct and pancreatic duct merge. When this happens, digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas are blocked from passing into the small intestine. These enzymes, trapped with nowhere to go, begin to digest the cells of the pancreas. This is known as pancreatitis, a potentially fatal condition.

Treating Gallstones In The Bile Duct

Once your doctor has finished the HIDA scan and confirmed the presence of cystic or bile duct stones, he or she will discuss your treatment options. If you suffer from Yaz gallbladder disease or stones within your gall bladder, your doctor will suggest having the organ surgically removed. This is done with a procedure called cholecystectomy. Bile duct stones, however, cannot be removed with cholecystectomy. Their removal requires ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy. This is a relatively common procedure, but poses a small risk of pancreatitis, perforations, and bleeding.

Yaz Lawsuit Gallbladder
Nearly all Yaz gallbladder problems are caused by stones. They can be dangerous, depending on their location within your biliary tree. If you have suffered from gallbladder disease, gallstones, or related problems after using Yaz, Ocella or Yasmin birth control, find out about your legal rights. Contact an attorney to discuss your options and the latest Yaz gallbladder settlement news.

Yaz Class Action Lawsuit

Before women begin using Ocella, Yasmin or Yaz birth control, they are informed by their doctors regarding the risks. One of the potential Yaz birth control side effects doctors warn them about is a stroke. The event is usually explained in the context of suffering a major blockage in one of the carotid arteries. These arteries deliver blood and nutrients to the brain; a severe stroke can cause extensive brain damage. Currently there is no national Yaz class action lawsuit and claims are being filed individually and consolidated in multi-district litigation.

Yaz can also cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA). This is known as a mini stroke. Below, we’ll explain how a TIA occurs and describe the most common symptoms. We’ll also explain how doctors treat the condition.

How A Mini Stroke Occurs

Yaz side effects involving stroke problems are caused by blood clots, which can form even in the absence of injured blood vessels (i.e. the purpose of your body’s natural clotting system). This is due to the hormones contained in this oral contraceptive: estrogen and a progestin called drospirenone. Studies show that birth control formulations with these hormones sharply increase the likelihood of clotting.

When a clot blocks one of your carotid arteries, it prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching your brain. The billions of neurons that comprise your brain tissue cannot survive for more than a few minutes without blood. If deprived, they begin to die. This triggers physical impairments based on the location of the affected tissue.

A transient ischemic attack occurs for the same reasons as a stroke. A clot finds its way into one of your carotid arteries and forms a blockage, starving the underlying brain tissue. The difference is that the resulting impairments only last a single day – at most. The side effects of a mini stroke may disappear within a few minutes, or they might last for several hours.

This causes many people to ignore a TIA rather than seek immediate medical attention. Once the symptoms pass, they dismiss the event as temporary and thus, unimportant. In reality, a mini stroke is often the precursor to a major stroke. According to the American Heart Association, one in three people who experience a transient ischemic attack will suffer a stroke. It typically occurs within ninety days of the mini stroke.

Common Mini Stroke Side Effects

Similar to a normal stroke, the type of physical impairments you’ll experience following a TIA depend on the area of your brain that is starved of blood. If the event affects a part of your brain that controls functions you rarely use, you may not notice a difference. That said, most mini strokes occur in the areas that influence the movement of your limbs and face. Many also affect the region that controls abilities related to speech.

For example, you might experience a sudden weakness on one side of your body. Or you may lose the ability to speak or understand what others are saying. Vision problems are also common. Even though these symptoms typically resolve within twenty-four hours, they suggest a high risk of stroke in the near future. Visit your nearest emergency room for testing and treatment.

Treatment To Prevent Stroke And Minimize Brain Damage

Treatment for a transient ischemic attack is similar to that following a stroke caused by Yaz birth control side effects. Doctors will first make sure your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are under control. You’ll then be given an antiplatelet medication to reduce the chances of a stroke or another TIA.

If your symptoms resolve by the time you receive medical attention, it usually means the immediate danger has passed. Thus your doctor is unlikely to administer thrombolytic drugs. However, if tests show that 70% or more of the affected carotid artery remains obstructed, surgery may be warranted. A surgeon will perform a carotid endarterectomy to remove the blockage.

A transient ischemic attack often serves as a forerunner to other stroke problems. If you have suffered a TIA or stroke after using these birth control pills, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced Yaz lawyer to discuss your case, including the latest updates on Yaz lawsuit settlements.

Hernia Mesh Lawsuit News

What is Kugel Mesh?
A hernia mesh lawsuit can be a person’s only way to seek legal justice for harm caused by complications caused by a defective Kugel Mesh patch. Kugel Mesh is a patch designed to make hernia operations easier and reduce post-surgical pain for patients. The FDA approved the patch in 1996. The Kugel Mesh patch consists of two layers of synthetic mesh surrounded by a flexible plastic “memory recoil ring.” It is implanted at the site of a hernia. The “ring” then springs into place, which allows the hernia to heal and re-grow around the patch. Kugel Mesh was introduced to the market by Davol Inc. In 2002, problems began to surface.

What problems are associated with Kugel Mesh?
In some cases, the ring in the Kugel Mesh patch has broken. This has caused severe injuries to patients’ internal organs and tissue, including bowel obstructions, bowel perforations, and chronic enteric fistulas. Davol initially blamed the surgeons who installed the Kugel Mesh patch for the broken rings. Davol claimed that the doctors made mistakes which caused the breaks in the rings. However, tests conducted by Davol revealed that the failure almost always occurred at the spot where the ring was welded together, which was done by the company.

What has the FDA done?
In the early part of 2006, the FDA inspected Davol’s manufacturing plant. The FDA found major problems in the system for tracking and reporting patients’ complaints about the Kugel Mesh side effects. The FDA concluded that Davol had been downplaying the severity of the injuries associated with the Kugel Mesh patch, including that one person may have died from this product. These findings by the FDA prompted two recalls.

Kugel Mesh Recalls
Davol issued a Kugel hernia patch recall in December 2005 for the extra large model of the Kugel Mesh patch. This came as a result of Davol’s tests that uncovered the design and manufacturing flaws. Davol issued two more recalls for its Kugel Mesh hernia patches in March 2006 and January 2007, at the prompting of the FDA after reports linked the hernia patch to more than 80 injuries and several fatalities.

Where would we file the lawsuit?
Where a Kugel Mesh lawsuit can be filed depends on a number of factors. The first lawsuit was filed in Rhode Island in December 2006. Since then, many other hernia mesh lawsuits have been filed. Attorneys representing victims of the Kugel Mesh product allege that their clients have suffered pain and were required to undergo bowel dissection surgery. If you have experienced any Kugel Mesh side effects or complications, you should contact an experienced Kugel Mesh lawsuit attorney to discuss your legal options.