Gadolinium and Renal Failure – Lawsuit Information and Updates
Gadolinium Renal Failure – Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Gadolinium Lawsuit?
Each State has different laws governing how long an individual or family has to bring a lawsuit. These laws are called Statue of Limitations. If you do not file your case on time and before the statue of limitations expires, you can be barred from filing a lawsuit forever.
What started all of this?
Starting in June of 2006, the Food and Drug Administration started to notify healthcare professionals and the public about the possible risk of developing Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) following exposure to Gadolinium based contrast agents after it received reports from the Danish Health Authority of 25 patients who had developed the disease.
What is the Gadolinium Lawsuit About?
People that have been injected with Gadolinium based contrast agents used in MRI procedures have filed lawsuits claiming that it causes NSF or NSD and that the defendants’ warnings were inadequate. The Gadolinium Multi District Litigation is being handled out of the United States District Court Northern District of Ohio. The plaintiffs are alleging that they sustained injuries caused by the use of gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCAs) in MRI procedures that were performed on them. Some of the defendants in this litigation include Bayer Corporation, Bayer Healthcare LLC, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Berlex Laboratories Inc., Berlex Inc. Bayer Schering Pahrma AG, and Bayer AG.
What are some of the side effects or symptoms of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis?
People with NSF or NSD develop fibrosis of the skin and this may spread to the connective tissues and other organs of body. The disease is very similar looking to scleroderma. Some of the most common side effects include:
• Locking joints
• Pain in the hip or rib areas
• Eye discoloration (yellow spots on the eyes)
• Fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, skin thickening and waxing
• Red or dark skin patches, skin rashes
• Blister like lesions
• Burning and itching skin
• Woody skin, has the texture of an orange peel
• Swelling and tightening of the skin
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty flexing and extending the joints
• Loss of mobility
Who is at risk?
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is most frequently found in dialysis patients, or people with renal failure, kidney dysfunction (someone who is a kidney transplant patient or candidate). If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, you could be high risk as well. If you underwent an MRI, MRA, Angioplasty, Angiogram, Venogram, CT scan, or Fistulogram and were injected with a gadolinium based contrast agent, you may be at risk for developing this disease.
What is Gadolinium?
Gadolinium is an earth metal used for a variety of purposes ranging from propulsion systems to making phosphors for televisions. Gadolinium is also used in some MRI contrast dyes because it provides a greater contrast between normal and abnormal tissue.
Which Contrast Agents does the FDA Warning Apply to?
Five Gadolinium based contrast agents have been approved for use in the United States for MRIs and they include:
• Magnevist®
• MultiHance®
• Omsniscan®
• OptimMARK®
• ProHance ®
If you believe that you have been affected by Gadolinium, please contact our law firm for a free, no obligation consultation. Call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 or use our online contact form and a Gadolinium and Renal Failure Attorney will get back to you as soon as possible.