Xarelto Lawsuit Attorney

Did You Suffer from Complications After Taking Xarelto?

Rivaroxaban, more commonly known under the brand name Xarelto, is a blood thinner often used to help prevent clots. In addition, it may also be prescribed to treat or prevent atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolisms, strokes and more. However, for many patients, the risks associated with the drug are not worth the benefits.

Xarelto has been linked to major bleeding events, which can be deadly. At Steinger, Iscoe & Greene, our Xarelto lawsuit attorneys are ready to take on the drug’s manufacturers on your behalf. If you have taken Xarelto and are facing complications related to the drug, call us today at (800) 916-8108 for a free consultation.

Why Xarelto Is Dangerous

Xarelto was first introduced on the market in 2011. Jointly developed by Johnson & Johnson and Bayer, it was marketed as a superior anticoagulant, but studies showed it was highly dangerous. While warfarin, another popular blood thinner, also posed a bleeding threat, its effects could be reversed with the proper dosage of vitamin K.

Xarelto, on the other hand, has no known antidote. As such, if a patient begins bleeding, it can be very difficult to stop. It takes about 24 hours for the a dose of the drug to be completely processed and eliminated by the body. If bleeding starts, patients must simply wait to see if the bleeding will stop once the anticoagulant is out of their system.

Many lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and Bayer due to the dangerous nature of the drug. Plaintiffs claim that Xarelto caused serious and, in some cases, fatal injuries, including gastrointestinal bleeding and cerebral hemorrhaging (ruptured blood vessels in the brain).

In addition to this claim, plaintiffs also allege that:

• The drug manufacturers continued to market Xarelto as a safe drug, even when that claim was proven false;
• Medical professionals did not receive sufficient information regarding methods to stabilize and treat a Xarelto-related bleeding complication; and
• Patients themselves were not adequately warned about the health risks related to taking Xarelto.

Current Cases Against Xarelto

More than 18,000 lawsuits have been filed against Bayer and Johnson & Johnson, claiming Xarelto posed unnecessary risks that weren’t adequately disclosed. The manufacturers, on the other hand, claim the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found Xarelto “safe and effective” for patients looking to avoid blood clots.

The first three of these “bellwether” cases were heard earlier in 2017. In all three cases, the judge ruled in favor of the drug manufacturers. The fourth trial is set to be heard in Texas, then the legal process will move to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While the first three cases were considered wins for Johnson & Johnson and Bayer, there are 40 total cases to be heard for discovery and consideration as bellwethers. As such, there is a long way to go before a true decision can be made in regards to Xarelto. Further, more lawsuits can be filed to be heard in the victim’s area of residence.

Symptoms of Complications Caused by Xarelto

Because anticoagulants are designed to stop blood from clotting, internal or external bleeding can be nearly impossible to stop when you are on Xarelto. It’s recommended that you seek medical attention immediately if you suffer from any of these complications:

• Unexpected or prolonged bleeding, such as nosebleeds or bleeding gums
• Any kind of uncontrollable or severe bleeding
• Menstruation that’s heavier than normal
• Vaginal bleeding
• Headaches, weakness or dizziness
• Red, brown or pink urine
• Coughing up blood
• Vomit with blood in it, or that looks like coffee grounds
• Black or bright red stool
• Swelling, pain or new drainage at wound sites

In addition, Xarelto can potentially cause:

• Severe skin reactions
• Abnormal liver functions
• Strokes
• Pulmonary embolisms
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In most cases, including the ones discussed above, Johnson & Johnson and Bayer are being held legally responsible for the complications that have arisen from using Xarelto. However, in some cases, a medical provider could be held liable. This is true if your doctor didn’t provide enough warning of the potential side effects of the drug, prescribed it knowing you would react particularly badly to it, or in some other way breached their duty of care. If this is the case, you may be able to file a lawsuit against your doctor under medical malpractice law.

In any scenario, the statute of limitations (time limit) to file a Xarelto lawsuit is relatively short. Though it varies from state to state, you generally have just a couple of years at most to file a suit. In most cases, this time limit starts from the time you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury caused by Xarelto.

Speak with a Xarelto Lawsuit Attorney Today

If you believe you have been injured by taking Xarelto, don’t wait to file a lawsuit. Time isn’t on your side. Call the Xarelto lawsuit attorneys at Steinger, Iscoe & Greene today for a free, no-obligation consultation. During your initial consultation, we will assess the extent of your damages, who should be held responsible and what the next steps are for filing a lawsuit. Call us today at (800) 916-8108.