A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Fresenius Medical Care by the children of a woman on dialysis. The lawsuit was filed in Louisiana, but was transferred to the Massachusetts’ U.S. District Court. There are currently another 161similiar cases against Fresenius pending in that jurisdiction.
The lawsuit alleges the mother of five died as a result of using GranuFlo and NaturaLyte, which are two dialysis products from Fresenius. The products were “unreasonably dangerous,” according to the allegations in the lawsuit, but it also claims Fresenius tried to hide the dangers from patients.
GranuFlo and NaturaLyte filter dialysis patients’ blood, while adding “nutrients and chemical balance.” The lawsuit alleges the products had chemical makeups that resulted in high levels of blood acetate in patients. When this happens, patients have a higher risk for alkalosis, which often results in fatal heart problems. The lawsuit claims the woman suffered a fatal heart attack because of the dialysis products.
The two Fresenius dialysis products named in the lawsuit gained approval by the Federal Drug Administration in 2003, but were recalled last year. According to the lawsuit, the executives at the company knew about the dangers in 2003, but the risks were not disclosed to Fresenius doctors until 2011.
The lawsuit alleges wrongful death, negligence, failure to warn, defective design and a conscious disregard for the life of the woman, as well as many other claims. Relief and restitution is sought for compensatory and punitive damages.
If you believe you or a loved one has been injured because of a defective product, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. These cases can often be very complex and an attorney can advise you as to the best course of action for your particular situation. You may be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, past and future lost wages and emotional distress, as well as other damages.
