Lipitor Diabetes Case MDL vs. Class Action
A panel of federal judges is scheduled to hear oral arguments later this month over whether all Lipitor diabetes cases filed in U.S. District Courts throughout the country should be centralized before one judge for coordinated management during pretrial proceedings.
Known as a Multidistrict Litigation, or MDL, such consolidation is often confused with a Lipitor class action suit, but there are important differences that should be recognized by individuals involved in the litigation.
It is ultimately expected that thousands of women throughout the United States will file individual lawsuits alleging that they have developed type 2 diabetes from side effects of Lipitor.
All of the Lipitor cases raise similar allegations that Pfizer aggressively promoted the medication while withholding important information about the risk of diabetes.
While many otherwise healthy women began taking the cholesterol drug to reduce their risk of heart disease and promote their healthy life-style, they have now been left with the devastating complications associated with diabetes from Lipitor.
Lipitor MDL is Different From a Class Action
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation will hold a hearing on July 25th to decide whether a Lipitor MDL should be established in the federal court system, and what the most appropriate transfer venue is for the cases.
If such consolidated proceedings are established, all of the individual cases filed nationwide will be managed during pretrial litigation in a manner similar to how a class action for Lipitor would be handled, reducing duplicative discovery into common issues, avoiding conflicting pretrial rulings from different judges and serving the convenience of the parties, witnesses and the courts.
However, unlike a class action, the Lipitor diabetes cases will each remain individual claims where each plaintiff will have their own lawyer representing them to establish that their diagnosis of diabetes was caused by Lipitor and that Pfizer should be held responsible for failing to provide adequate information for consumers and the medical community.
Because the impact of each plaintiffs Lipitor injury will be different, based on their individual circumstances, all claims can not be litigated through one class representative. Therefore, if a Lipitor diabetes settlement or other resolution for the diabetes cases is not reached as part of the MDL proceedings, each case may ultimately be remanded back to the U.S. District Court where it was originally filed for an individual trial date.
Lawyers for Lipitor Diabetes Cases
The Lipitor class action lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the United States who are pursuing a claim for themselves or a loved one who developed diabetes. All cases are evaluated by our Lipitor law firm on an individual basis, and given the time and attention necessary to ensure that our clients’ maximize their recovery.
To review a potential case and determine if financial compensation may be available, request a free consultation and claim evaluation. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless a recovery is obtained.
1 Comment • Add Your Comments
Michael says:
I was on Lipitor for many years. Later I’m a diabetic.
Posted on May 29, 2019 at 6:40 pm