If you have experienced an adverse reaction to the prescription drugs NaturaLyte or Granuflo, you may want to file a lawsuit. A lawsuit may provide compensation for your medical bills, including the costs associated with NaturaLyte and GranuFlo. However, if you are unsure whether or not you have a case, please contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Heart attacks
According to a recent study, the frequency of heart attacks linked to the use of the diuretic drug Granuflo has more than doubled in the past five years. Researchers say that this increase in cardiac arrests is linked to the increase in blood bicarbonate levels. The manufacturer of Granuflo and Naturalyte acknowledges that their products are to blame, but it failed to properly label them or provide instructions for their use.
A recent internal memo from Fresenius Medical Care revealed that the drug GranuFlo was linked to the risk of heart attacks. The company did not warn other medical centers, despite the findings. Nearly 1,000 people have suffered heart attacks because of this drug. Although the recall has been effective, it will not help those thousands of patients who have suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of the drug.
Sudden cardiac arrest
A newly filed lawsuit by Clarence Lee Dubose, Jr., a resident of South Carolina, has made a strong case for the manufacturers of GranuFlo and Naturalyte. His father died suddenly from cardiac arrest complications that were caused by the use of these products. The lawsuit is likely to result in a large number of lawsuits filed by individuals with similar stories.
The plaintiffs allege that the dietary supplements caused them to suffer from cardiovascular problems. These side effects included an increase in bicarbonate levels. This condition is closely related to metabolic alkalosis, a state in which the body is less acidic than normal. Ultimately, the plaintiffs allege that Fresenius should have warned physicians to take appropriate precautions with these products.
According to the lawsuit, Fresenius knew of 941 cases of sudden cardiac arrest associated with the GranuFlo and NaturaLyte products, but it failed to inform all of its doctors about the problem. Eventually, Fresenius issued internal memos to doctors at its clinics, warning them to closely monitor bicarbonate levels during treatments. However, these memos were never sent to non-Fresenius clinics.
Failure to warn about dangers
In November 2011, a memo from Fresenius Medical Care warned that the dialysis drugs GranuFlo and NaturaLyte could cause cardiac arrest. While this memo was only sent to its dialysis centers, it was not distributed to other clinics. More than 100,000 dialysis patients in the United States received these products at facilities owned by other companies.
According to the lawsuit, Fresenius was aware of the potential risks of GranuFlo and NaturaLyte, but they failed to notify consumers of the risk and delayed in warning them. This failure to warn led to a Class 1 recall of these products in June 2012 and thousands of lawsuits are currently pending. Although these cases are often filed in federal court, they are not class action lawsuits.
The FDA also issued a Class I recall on dialysis concentrates after Fresenius failed to warn doctors about the risk of cardiac arrest. The products contain bicarbonate, a chemical linked to heart problems. While the FDA issued a Class I recall in March 2012, Fresenius continued to downplay the risks of GranuFlo and Naturalyte in internal memos and advertisements.
Fresenius Medical Care North America
In a settlement agreement that involves the sale of dialysate products, Fresenius Medical Care North America has agreed to pay $250 million to tens of thousands of patients and their families. However, the company must first convince 97% of the plaintiffs to agree to the settlement. The lawsuits accuse the company of using deceptive trade practices and fraudulent marketing to sell GranuFlo, NaturaLyte, and Dialyte, which have all been linked to the injury.
The case argues that Massachusetts has a substantial interest in applying its statute of limitations. Although the defendants do not have a permanent office in Massachusetts, their principal place of business is there. Furthermore, the products were formulated, manufactured, and distributed in Mississippi, where plaintiffs were treated and died. Therefore, Massachusetts law supports the plaintiffs’ claim that FMCNA should be held responsible for their products.
