Levaquin Injury Lawyers Reviewing Cases for Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Dissection and Peripheral Neuropathy
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential lawsuits for individuals throughout the United States who have suffered severe and debilitating injuries that may have been caused by side effects of Levaquin.
As a result of the drug maker’s failure to adequately warn about the risks associated with the popular antibiotic, financial compensation may be available through a Levaquin lawsuit for individuals who have been diagnosed with:
Similar claims are being reviewed against the makers of other fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including Avelox lawsuits and Cipro lawsuits. All cases are pursued under a contingency fee agreement, which means that there are no fees or expenses unless a settlement or recovery is obtained. Request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Levaquin Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection Cases
Levaquin is member of a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones, which have been known to degrade collagen tissue inside the body and increase the risk of tendon ruptures for years. However, recent research suggests that the same mechanism may also cause an aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection.
In October 2015, a study published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine highlighted the possible Levaquin aortic aneurysm and dissection side effects, finding that users may face a two-fold increased risk of experiencing these serious, painful and potentially life-threatening injuries.
Subsequent research appears to support the findings, with a study published in The BMJ in March 2018 concluding that use of Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones were linked to a risk of acute aortic disease.
The aorta is the main artery in the human body, traveling from the left ventricle of the heart to the abdomen. Both of these injuries from Levaquin may cause the aorta to rupture, which can result in internal bleeding, severe injury or wrongful death.
- Aortic Aneurysm from Levaquin occurs when the walls of the aorta weaken, resulting in an abnormal bulge as the pressure in the aorta causes the weakened area to balloon outward.
- Aortic Dissection from Levaquin occurs when the interior layers of the aorta weaken, resulting in tearing inside the aorta.
There is nothing that can be done to reverse an aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection from Levaquin. The best doctors can do is to ensure it does not burst.
When a rupture becomes a risk, patients must typically undergo invasive open chest or open abdomen surgery and have the bulged and weakened section removed and replaced with a graft. They must then be placed on an often restrictive and lifestyle-altering diet generally prescribed to heart surgery and heart disease patients.
As a result of the failure to warn about the risk of Levaquin aortic aneurysm and dissection problems, many individuals may have experienced serious and debilitating injuries that may have been avoided.
Levaquin Peripheral Neuropathy Problems
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are also reviewing potential Levaquin peripheral neuropathy cases for individuals throughout the U.S., as the manufacturer of the antibiotic previously provided inadequate and misleading information for consumers and the medical community about the risk of long-term nerve damage.
Information about a potential link between Levaquin and peripheral neuropathy has been known for decades. However, until 2013, the manufacturer indicated that the nerve problems were rare and failed to disclose that many Levaquin users experienced symptoms of nerve damage that continued long after they stopped using the drug.
Peripheral neuropathy from Levaquin involves damage to the peripheral nervous system. It can cause weakness, numbness and pain. It usually first occurs as numbness or pain in the hands and feet, but often continues to move up the limbs.
Potential symptoms of a Levaquin nerve damage injury may include:
- Numbness, Burning, Sharp or Electric-Like Pain
- Extreme Sensitivity to Touch or Heat Intolerance
- Changes in skin, hair or nails
- Loss of Coordination, Muscle Weakness or Paralysis
- Bowel and bladder problems
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
In August 2013, the FDA required a new warning update for Levaquin and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics. In a drug safety communication (PDF), the federal regulatory agency warned that the nerve problems may arise any time during treatment with the antibiotic and may last for months, or even years.
According to allegations raised in Levaquin lawsuits now being pursued on behalf of individuals throughout the United States, the manufacturers should have disclosed that problems associated with peripheral neuropathy from Levaquin side effects may be permanent, impacting individuals long after they stop taking the drug.
Levaquin Class Action Lawyers
Levaquin (levofloxacin) is one of the most widely used antibiotics in the United States, often prescribed to prevent bacteria from rapidly reproducing and causing infection. The medication was introduced by Johnson & Johnson’s Ortho-McNeil subsidiary in 1996, and within ten years it grew to account for roughly 6.5% of the global pharmaceutical company’s total revenue, with $1.6 billion in annual revenue by 2007.
Within the medical community, serious concerns have emerged about the overuse of Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones.
In May 2016, the FDA issued a drug safety communication, warning that the antibiotics are so dangerous they should no longer be prescribed for many common types of infections.
It appears that the drug maker recklessly promoted the medication while failing to warn users and the medical community about the potential Levaquin risks.
As a result of the decision to place their desire for profits before the safety of consumers, the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Levaquin class action lawsuits and individual injury claims for individuals who have suffered an aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection or been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.
Prior Levaquin cases have been handled by our law firm over inadequate warnings provided about the risk of Achilles tendon ruptures associated with the medication provided prior to 2008. While new tendon damage lawsuits are no longer being pursued due to strong warnings the FDA added to the label, our lawyers have the resources and experience to make sure users diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection receive proper compensation for these preventable injuries.
All lawsuits are handled by our Levaquin lawyers under a contingency fee agreement, which means that there are never any out-of-pocket expenses to pursue a lawsuit. Attorney fees and reimbursement for expenses are only paid out of any recovery obtained in the case, meaning that you pay nothing unless you win. To review a potential case for yourself or a loved one, request a free consultation and case evaluation.