Duragesic Lawsuit Verdicts Mount

In the first four Duragesic patch lawsuits to go to trial against two Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries, the plaintiffs have won every case and juries have returned verdicts which combine to exceed $36 million.

>>INFORMATION: Duragesic Patch Problems

The most recent Duragesic patch verdict was returned yesterday by a Chicago jury, which awarded $16.5 million to the family of Janice DiCosolo, who died in 2004 at the age of 38 as a result of a fentanyl overdose caused by a leaking pain patch.

Last month, on October 30, 2008, a Florida jury returned a verdict in the amount of $13.3 million for a 34 year old woman who died in June 2002, after placing two Duragesic patches on her skin for pain relief after back surgery.

The first two fentanyl patch lawsuits resulted in combined verdicts of $6.3 million, with the first case won in July 2006 by the family of a Texas woman and the second case won in June 2007 by the family of a Florida man.

According to an August 2008 filing by Johnson & Johnson with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company continues to face at least 60 Duragesic patch lawsuits, and that number could eventually exceed 200. In addition, an unknown number of other cases will likely be filed against generic drug makers who started manufacturing fentanyl patches in 2005.

Despite the mounting losses and the substantial verdicts returned in the wrongful death lawsuits, Johnson & Johnson continues to defend their product. They indicate that they intend to appeal the latest verdicts, but they did agree to settle one of the early verdicts for $2.5 million while the case was on appeal.

DURAGESIC PATCH LAWYERS

The Duragesic patch lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are investigating potential fentanyl overdose lawsuits caused by either the name brand Duragesic patch or generic fentanyl patches manufactured by a number of different companies. A number of recalls have been issued as a result of manufacturing defects which could allow the fentanyl gel to leak out of the patch and come directly into contact with the skin.

If a friend or family member have died as a result of an overdose on the Duragesic patch or generic fentanyl patch, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.