It’s rare to meet an adult who hasn’t suffered from heartburn at some point in their lives. For many, heartburn is only an occasional issue, but others suffer through the horrific pain this disease can cause every single day.
Doctors can treat heartburn and the underlying conditions which cause it, however, not all treatments are safe. In the past few years, the public has been made aware of the serious side effects which come with a popular heartburn medication: proton pump inhibitors (PPI).
Study Links Proton Pump Inhibitors To Kidney Damage
In 2016, the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology released a study which showed that patients who used PPI’s regularly had a 20% – 50% higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
As everyone knows, the kidneys are a vital organ and without functioning kidneys a patient will die. There are treatment options available, however, these are often expensive and can be very disruptive to the patient’s life. Ultimately, a patient will require a kidney transplant if they hope to live, a surgery which comes with its own set of risks.
Signs of chronic kidney disease include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Polyuria
• Chest Pain
• Shortness Of Breath
• High Blood Pressure
• Swelling In The Joints
Sadly, by the time that a patient is exhibiting symptoms their kidneys typically already have seriously decreased function.
If A Drug Caused My Kidney Damage Can I Sue?
If you were taking a proton pump inhibitor and later discovered that you have chronic kidney failure, you may be able to pursue legal action against the manufacturers of the drug. In fact, more than 4,000 lawsuits have already been filed by plaintiffs who took drugs like Nexium and Prilosec against the following manufacturers:
• AstraZeneca
• Pfizer
• Procter & Gamble
• Takeda Pharmaceuticals
In August 2017, these lawsuits were combined into MDL 2789 and moved all cases to a court in New Jersey. The purpose of this consolidation is to save everyone involved time and money.
Choosing A Proton Pump Inhibitor Attorney
The first step you’ll need to take after deciding to pursue legal action is to choose an attorney. It’s important to speak with several attorneys prior to making your decision so that you can learn more about how they can assist you. You should ask questions like:
• What types of law do you practice?
• Are you currently working on any other PPI cases?
• Can you provide me with examples of past outcomes?
• Do you have any former clients who could provide a referral?
• How will you communicate with me about my case and how often?
• Do you have experience taking the fight to a courtroom?
The attorney you decide to work with should have experience handling defective drug claims and the resources needed to fight giant manufacturing companies.
Why Should I File A PPI Lawsuit?
If your kidney disease was caused by a PPI, you’ve likely suffered not only physically but financially as well. While money can’t bring back your health, it can help you pay for the medical treatments you require. It also helps you when going for analysis of when proton pump inhibitor lawsuits settle through a lawyer. Compensation through a defective drug lawsuit is designed to cover:
• Medical Expenses
• Lost Earnings
• Physical Pain
• Emotional Suffering
The amount obtained for each plaintiff will vary from case to case.
If My Loved One Has Died From Kidney Disease Can I File A PPI Lawsuit?
If you’ve lost someone to chronic kidney disease and believe that their kidney disease was caused by a PPI, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. Typically the family members who are allowed to file include the spouses, parents, and children of the deceased. However, other dependent family member may also be eligible.
What Evidence Do I Need To Collect?
You should keep anything that may be relevant to your case. This may include:
• Medical Records
• Letters From Your Insurance Company
• Medical Bills
• Paychecks & Employment Records
Your attorney will help you discover other forms of evidence and collect the information that you need in order to prove your case.
How Long Will My PPI Case Take To Resolve?
It may take months or even years for a case to reach its conclusion but remember, this is likely the only way to recover compensation for your losses.…
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