QUESTION

How long will it take until Accutane suits are settled?

7 ADD YOUR COMMENTS

ANSWER

UPDATE: Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. is no longer reviewing new Accutane cases. This page is provided for informational purposes only.

Thousands of individuals have filed Accutane suits as a result of bowel problems from Accutane, and the number of new cases continues to grow. While Accutane settlement agreements have been reportedly reached in some cases, the drug maker is continuing to defend the lawsuits and it is unknown how long it will take for the Accutane bowel disease litigation to resolve.

The suits involve allegations that Roche, the original manufacturer of Accutane (isotretinoin), failed to adequately research the acne medication or warn about the risk of severe and permanent bowel problems from Accutane.

Several studies have linked side effects of Accutane and its generic equivalents to:

Despite several losses at trial and a decision to withdraw Accutane from the market in 2009 due to the costs associated with defending mounting bowel injury suits, Roche continues to defend cases and any individuals who join the litigation now should expect that it may take several years for their Accutane lawsuit to be settled or go to trial.

As of October 2010, Roche has lost all Accutane bowel disease suits that have gone to trial, resulting in jury awards totaling more than $50 million.

The largest Accutane damage award was hand down in February 2010 in a case filed by Andrew McCarrell, who developed IBD after using Accutane in 1995, resulting in five surgeries and the removal of his colon. McCarrell received a jury award of $25.16 million.

In early May 2010, following its string of losses, Roche reportedly agreed to a pre-trial Accutane settlement in a case that was set to go to trial in Madison County Circuit Court in Illinois. The case was set to go to trial in April 2010, just two months after McCarrell’s verdict, but was delayed as the parties continued to negotiate a settlement.

Although each case will be judged on their individual merits, our lawyers believe that the continued success of plaintiffs at trial is likely to eventually lead to an agreement by Roche to settle Accutane lawsuits.

ACCUTANTE SETTLEMENT LAWYERS

The Accutane lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are continuing to review potential lawsuits for individuals who may be entitled to financial compensation as a result of Accutane bowel problems. All Accutane attorney fees are contingent on a settlement or financial recovery by our clients, which means that there is never a fee unless we win your case.

To review a potential suit for yourself, a friend or family member with an Accutane settlement lawyer, request a free consultation by completing our on-line form or call our law firm toll free at 1 (800) 522-0102.

UPDATE: Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. is no longer reviewing new Accutane cases. This page is provided for informational purposes only.
Austin Kirk

Last Updated November 24, 2010
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7 Comments

7 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Roy says:

    With the total of lawsuits filed now exceding 3000, how much longer must the plaintiffs continue to experience the excrutiating pain and embarassment brought on by the use of Accutane. The first 6 trials have reached a decision, but will the clients be forced to wait until the final case has been heard before actually receiving a monetary payout?

    Roche knew of this problem in 1994, yet was allowed to continue the manufacture and dispersal of these drugs that have caused devatating pain and suffering of thousands of patients. How much longer will these people have to suffer before Roche starts distribution of the millions of dollars awarded these patients.

    Posted on March 29, 2011 at 7:33 pm

  • LaCosta says:

    My husband suffers to the point that it is embarrassing for him. WE can not go out for dinner or even to a friends house without him having to go to the restroom, if he can make it. My husband loses sleep and energy as a result from taking this drug. He has suffered Ulcers that have ruptured, unbarable pain in his stomache, and another ulcer that was starting to form as of the last scoop he had and another in the next two weeks is brewing, so I think it is time to pay up and quit putting this off

    Posted on May 11, 2011 at 9:16 am

  • Janele says:

    My husband has been experiencing severe stomach pain for over the last 15yrs. There isnt a second or minute or day goes by that he is not in severe stomach pain. He has been to numerous stomach specialist. After taking it developed ulcers. Has never been the same since he took it. We are in the process of gathering up all medical records and trying too see if this case is worth perusing?

    Posted on December 11, 2014 at 3:16 pm

  • Dereke says:

    I was prescribed Accutane in Dec 2010, after having been treated with a super strong IV anti-biotic, which caused severe acne over most of my body. Doxicylin didn’t work. So doctors prescribed Accutane. My acne cleared up in about a week and a half, to my relief. However, two weeks after I finished the prescription, I was in the hospital with very severe abdominal pain and bloating. Since, I have experience other very severe symptoms and have been hospitalized on an annual basis a total of four times. Local doctors refused to diagnose me as suffering from accutane and refused to refer me out to a specialists. Only after my last hospitalization, did other doctors basically demand I be referred to a specialist, who diagnosed me with IBS. I’ve had to drastically alter my diet and lifestyle and was told I’d most likely have to live with it for the rest of my life, living on a special diet taking over the counter pills to help alleviate/lessen my symptoms.

    Posted on March 23, 2015 at 7:52 pm

  • Alan says:

    I have dealt with bowel problems since I took accutane beginning about 1986 and for over a year, but I don’t know for how long. Back then it was many time stronger, and while I was still taking it the doctor prescribed a renewal, but by then its strength was significantly reduced. There are so many others that have taken it and been damaged at lower doses. While not a case of surgery for myself there are other inflammatory issues. I have a solid clean bowel movement only a few times a year. I am often spending 5-10 minutes wiping myself and causing embarrassment being away in public. I remember in 2008 being severely harassed coming out of a restaurant bathroom by my girlfriend who had been hit up by two guys at the bar. Another problem with symptoms shown, I have also had previously undiagnosed depression issues late in life, 2001 and 2014 bipolar events.

    Posted on March 1, 2016 at 11:38 pm

  • Linda says:

    I took Accutane in high school from 2000-2004. Over the years, I had off/on rectal bleeding, but not until Feb. 2016 did a doctor finally take my seriously, and it was discovered I had moderate-to-severe Crohn’s Disease. I now take daily medication, and every 8 week require IV Remicade appointments that each up 3 hrs. for each visit.
    Additionally, back in 2002, I had a severe case of Dry Eyes, causing permanent corneal scarring and elevated scar tissue on my left eye. At the time, my eye doctor didn’t know what had caused it, but found it extremely unusual for my young age. In Aug. 2016, I finally got approved for corrective eye surgery to smooth the scar tissue, but still have a sensitive, hazy scarred cornea, making regular contacts impossible. My cornea doctor confirmed after thorough testing, that Accutane had indeed caused the severe Dry Eyes.
    Now, I’m having to figure out how to pay for specialty Scleral Contact Lenses, for patients with irregular corneas. Insurance does not cover it, and it costs $2,200 out of pocket! I’m looking at GoFundMe options, as I’m extremely poor.

    I’m still eagerly looking for an Accutane Lawyer to help me with my case!

    Posted on December 29, 2016 at 1:55 am

  • Matthew says:

    I served in the military and was prescribed Accurane for 18 months by a military doctor in 2004. Is it too late to file a claim and do I have a case against the government for providing me a medication that has given me nothing but issues?

    Posted on August 25, 2017 at 7:52 pm

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