Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing clients who experienced Fosamax thigh fractures and other side effects, reports on a May 21, 2012 study by the Archives of Internal Medicine, which found that taking Fosamax increases the risk of an atypical femur fracture. The study was conducted by doctors from the University Hospitals of Geneva in Switzerland and analyzed the records of 477 patients treated at the hospital for broken legs between 1999 and 2010. 39 of those patients had atypical femur fractures, when the thigh snapped apart with minimum or no trauma. Of those, 32 had taken a bisphosphonate drug like Fosamax. Seven out of the 32 experienced the unusual thigh fractures in both legs. “In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the association between bisphosphonate treatment and the occurrence of atypical fractures of the femur is highly likely and that the duration of such treatment significantly correlates with augmented risk,” Dr. Raphael Meier and colleagues from University Hospitals of Geneva and Faculty of Medicine in Geneva, concluded in a journal news release.

Femur Fracture And Other Painful Fosamax Side Effects

Researchers noted that the new findings support a previous U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) analysis published in The New England Journal of Medicine that cautioned against the long-term use of bisphosphonates such as Fosamax. The study suggested that many patients should reconsider taking the drugs after three to five years of use. Since the FDA approved Fosamax as a treatment for osteoporosis in 1995, the drug has been under scrutiny for its serious side effects. Last year, the FDA convened a panel of experts to evaluate the risks of atypical femur fractures. According to The Wall Street Journal, Fosamax manufacturer Merck & Co. currently faces more than 3,100 lawsuits from individuals who experienced Fosamax side effects.

Fosamax Thigh Fractures Leads To Mounting Litigation

Individuals who suffered Fosamax side effects such as atypical thigh fractures are filing lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer to seek compensation for their injuries. The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are actively filing cases on behalf of these individuals in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic County in In re: Fosamax Litigation (No. 282 N.J. Super. Ct.). Those who experienced a femur fracture may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries. Learn more by watching this Fosamax thigh fracture video, or by visiting our website, www.consumerinjurylawyers.com.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past nine consecutive years. Only two firms in the country have been selected for the Hot List nine years in a row.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Amy L. Abate.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info@consumerinjurylawyers.com
www.consumerinjurylawyers.com

Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing clients who experienced complications from dangerous drugs such as Fosamax, reports on a May 16, 2012 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (“NEJM”) that found that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved more new drugs quicker than its European and Canadian counterparts in the last decade. The study found that from 2001 to 2010, the FDA approved 225 new drugs, while the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) approved 186, and Health Canada approved 99. The study also found that most new drugs are approved in the U.S. faster than in the other two regions. Given that the majority of these new drugs only go through just one review cycle by the FDA, they received market approval in the U.S. earlier than in Europe and Canada. Specifically, researchers found that the FDA approved 64 percent of newly introduced drugs before the EMA, and 86 percent of drugs before Health Canada. This analysis is the first to compare the FDA’s drug review performance to other health regulatory agencies around the world.

Fosamax Complications Might Have Been Detected With A Thorough Review

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is concerned about the consequences of the FDA’s speedy approval process, which may have led to the approval of dangerous drugs like Fosamax. In 1995, Merck received FDA approval for Fosamax without having performed any long-term safety testing. Since then, Fosamax has been linked to several severe side effects such as osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fractures. Many believe that Fosamax complications, such as femur fractures could have been detected sooner if the FDA had conducted a thorough review. A May 9, 2012 FDA analysis published in NJEM cautioned against the long-term use of Fosamax due to its limited benefit and potential complications.

Fosamax Femur Fracture Injuries At The Center Of Litigation

Individuals who have experienced Fosamax complications such as atypical femur fractures are filing lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer. The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are actively filing cases on behalf of these individuals in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic County in In re: Fosamax Litigation (No. 282 N.J. Super. Ct.). Those who took Fosamax and sustained a femur fracture may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries. Learn more by watching this Fosamax femur fracture video, or by visiting our website, www.consumerinjurylawyers.com.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past nine consecutive years. Only two firms in the country have been selected for the Hot List nine years in a row.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Amy L. Abate.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info@consumerinjurylawyers.com
www.consumerinjurylawyers.com

Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a New York law firm nationally recognized for its consumer protection and mass tort practices, is currently evaluating lawsuits on behalf of individuals who may have suffered from Zithromax side effects, such as arrhythmia or sudden death. Zithromax, also known as azithromycin and commonly called the Z-Pak, is a widely used antibiotic manufactured by Pfizer Inc. A May 17, 2012 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that patients on azithromycin had one and a half times the odds of sudden death from cardiovascular causes than those on a similar antibiotic. The odds were even higher in patients with high risk cardiovascular conditions. The study analyzed data from 350,000 Medicaid patients who took azithromycin from 1992 to 2006. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a statement on the same day, announcing that it is reviewing the results of the study. The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are offering free and confidential evaluations to individuals who suffered from Zithromax side effects.

Common Antibiotic Z-Pak Side Effects May Include Sudden Death

Zithromax is prescribed to treat bacterial infections, including bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throats and earaches. According to the New York Times, doctors wrote 55.3 million prescriptions for azithromycin in the United States last year. It was often prescribed over amoxicillin, another common antibiotic because of its easier regiment. Patients take fewer pills over fewer days, making it easier for patients to finish a course of treatment. However, according to Wayne Ray, professor of preventative medicine at Vanderbilt University and lead author of the study, “the risk of death may outweigh convenience and compliance, at least for high-risk patients.” According to the study, there are 47 more deaths for every million people who took Zithromax instead of amoxicillin, which jumps to more than 245 deaths for those at high risks for heart problems. Individuals at high risk include those with heart failure, diabetes, previous heart attacks, prior bypass surgery or with stents implanted. In these individuals, the drug may cause potentially fatal abnormal heartbeats called arrhythmia.

Individuals who suffered from Zithromax side effects may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries. For more information about filing a lawsuit, visit www.consumerinjurylawyers.com. You can also contact an attorney at Bernstein Liebhard LLP at (877) 779-1414 or at info@consumerinjurylawyers.com.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past nine consecutive years. Only two firms in the country have been selected for the Hot List nine years in a row.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Amy L. Abate.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info@consumerinjurylawyers.com
www.consumerinjurylawyers.com

Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing clients with defective medical devices such as pelvic mesh implants and metal hip replacements, is pleased to report on the inaugural U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) Patient Network Annual Meeting, to be held on May 18, 2012. The one-day meeting will: (1) review the drug and medical device regulatory processes; (2) discuss where patient input is practical and most valuable; and (3) explore practical approaches to collecting meaningful patient input. The meeting is to be held on the FDA White Oak Campus, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The FDA encourages patients, caregivers and patient advocates to attend, as well as health professionals, academia, industry representatives, and other members of the general public. The inaugural meeting is hosted in conjunction with the launch of the FDA Patient Network, a new resource that seeks to educate patient stakeholders about FDA regulatory processes and programs, and provide a venue for advocacy.

FDA Meeting Will Garner Patient Perspectives On Regulatory Decision-making

The FDA meeting will help facilitate future patient input on its decision making process. “The medical product review process could benefit from a more scientific, systematic, and expansive approach to obtaining input from patients who are experiencing a particular disease condition,” a Federal Register supplementary notice about the FDA Patient Network explained. The FDA plans to jumpstart its efforts to conduct meetings with patients and patient advocacy groups. It will raise a series of questions to facilitate public discussions on the subject, such as how to implement the best methods and venues for discussion. The FDA also intends to discuss factors specific to patient diseases, such as understanding disease conditions, assessment of treatment options, and understanding risks patients are willing to undergo for treatment.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is encouraged that the FDA is seeking patient input on these important issues, especially in light of the recent DePuy hip recall and FDA warnings concerning pelvic mesh implants. The lawyers at our firm represent hundreds of patients alleging injuries stemming from these medical devices.

Those who have suffered damages from pelvic mesh implants or metal hip replacements may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries. Learn more by watching this pelvic mesh or metal hip replacement video, or by visiting our website, www.consumerinjurylawyers.com.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past nine consecutive years. Only two firms in the country have been selected for the Hot List nine years in a row.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Amy L. Abate.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info@consumerinjurylawyers.com
www.consumerinjurylawyers.com

Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing clients with transvaginal mesh implants, reports on the first federal vaginal mesh lawsuit set for trial in In re: C.R. Bard, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2187”). The trial is currently scheduled to begin on February 5, 2013, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. This federal case is meant to serve as a test case, allowing the parties to determine the strength of plaintiffs’ claims and the extent of defendants’ potential liability. Chief Judge Joseph R. Goodwin, who is presiding over the Bard transvaginal mesh multidistrict litigation (“MDL”), ordered the parties in the case to submit a proposed discovery schedule to the court by May 24, 2012. In addition, Judge Goodwin ordered the parties to devise an expedited process to select additional cases for a second discovery group.

Other Federal And State Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits Underway

In addition to the Bard transvaginal mesh MDL, Judge Goodwin is also overseeing the following federal actions pending against different transvaginal mesh manufacturers: In re: American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair Systems Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2325”); In re: Boston Scientific Corp., Pelvic Repair Systems Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2326”); and In re: Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2327”). All four federal transvaginal mesh MDLs are currently underway in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

On April 13, 2012, Bernstein Liebhard LLP partner Jeffrey S. Grand was appointed to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in all four MDLs. Mr. Grand will assist in leading and coordinating the litigations. Previously, on July 26, 2011, Mr. Grand was named Co-Liaison Counsel in In re Pelvic Mesh/Gynecare Litigation, No. 6341-10 (N.J. Super Ct.), and In re Pelvic Mesh Litigation/Bard No. L-6339-10 (N.J. Super. Ct.), which are two consolidated actions of all the vaginal mesh lawsuits filed in New Jersey state court. These state court actions are pending before the Honorable Carol E. Higbee in the Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division, Atlantic County. The first state court vaginal mesh lawsuit is set to be tried in November, 2012.

“We look forward to the first transvaginal mesh trials, where they will demonstrate not only that these products were defectively designed, but also that they were marketed to physicians and patients without adequate testing, and despite the manufacturer’s knowledge of significant safety risks.” Mr. Grand commented.

Plaintiffs filing lawsuits in these transvaginal mesh cases allege that the manufacturers produced and sold defective transvaginal mesh products, which are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Those who have experienced transvaginal mesh complications may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries. For more information about filing a lawsuit, visit www.consumerinjurylawyers.com or watch this transvaginal mesh video. Our lawyers and staff understand the sensitive nature of the complications caused by transvaginal mesh and will answer your questions in a caring and sympathetic manner.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past nine consecutive years. Only two firms in the country have been selected for the Hot List nine years in a row.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Amy L. Abate.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info@consumerinjurylawyers.com
www.consumerinjurylawyers.com

Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing clients with metal-on-metal hip implants, is pleased to report that on April 25, 2012, the European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health Committee unanimously passed a resolution seeking to create a medical implant registry, which will allow health officials to implement measures to help track failure rates of dangerous medical devices, such as metal-on-metal hip implants. In addition to creating a medical implant registry, the resolution also contained recommendations to keep patients safe from dangerous medical devices, such as: vigilant monitoring, product traceability, and establishing a pre-market authorization system. The case of defective metal-on-metal hip implants and other dangerous medical devices “have shown a failure of the current system of certification of compliance . . . as well as of the controls of the notified bodies and their surveillance by national competent authorities,” the Members of European Parliament (“MEPs”) said.

“Similar criticisms can be made of the U.S. system for regulatory approval of certain medical devices,” said Bernstein Liebhard LLP partner Felecia L. Stern. According to Stern, “Patients with implants should be entitled to information concerning the performance record of those implants. If there is a significant failure rate, as there was with the DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip implants, that information must be made public—in real time. If this country implemented a medical implant registry it would go a long way in helping save patients from the disastrous effects of defective and dangerous medical devices.”

European Parliament Calls For Strong Measures To Avert Future Metal-On-Metal Hip Implant Disasters

According to the resolution, European Union legislation to monitor dangerous medical devices will be revised this year. MEPs hope to improve the transparency and raise the criteria for checks, inspection, market surveillance and information sharing of adverse effects from dangerous medical devices. One aspect of the resolution aims to strengthen traceability and coordination of devices such as metal-on-metal hip implants, which will make it easier for patients and health care professionals to report adverse events. The resolution calls for a pre-market authorization system for dangerous medical devices to help patients be aware of the devices’ risks. The system will allow information to be exchanged so that it will be easier for patients to be notified of defects; it also includes a protocol for patients to obtain compensation if they are injured. Finally, the resolution suggests creating a single European database to bring together information about medical devices on the market, including device registration, surveillance, clinical investigations, notified bodies and EC certificates issued.

Dangerous Medical Devices Such as Metal-On-Metal Hip Implants Lead to Litigation

Individuals who suffered from defective devices such as metal-on-metal hip implants are filing lawsuits against metal hip manufacturers to seek compensation for their injuries. The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are actively involved in numerous litigations concerning metal-on-metal hip implants, including: In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2197”), which is currently underway in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2244”), which is currently underway in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The firm is also investigating cases concerning another metal-on-metal hip implant manufactured by Wright Medical Technology, Inc. Lawsuits involving this hip replacement were recently consolidated in In re: Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Conserve Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2329”), which is now pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Those who have experienced complications from metal-on-metal hip implants may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries. Learn more about filing a metal-on-metal hip replacement lawsuit by visiting our website, www.consumerinjurylawyers.com, or by watching this video.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past nine consecutive years. Only two firms in the country have been selected for the Hot List nine years in a row.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Amy L. Abate.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info@consumerinjurylawyers.com
www.consumerinjurylawyers.com

Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a New York law firm nationally recognized for its consumer protection and mass tort practices, reports that on May 10, 2012, the Honorable David A. Katz, who is overseeing In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2197”), currently underway in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, issued an order scheduling a status conference with a committee of lawyers appointed by the court to help coordinate the DePuy ASR hip MDL. The status conference is set for June 5, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. at the James A. Byrne United States Courthouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Subsequently, an open court conference will commence at 11:30 a.m. on that same day.

Bellwether Trials Of Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuits In DePuy ASR Hip MDL Scheduled

On May 1, 2012, Judge Katz conducted an open court conference to address the status of the DePuy ASR hip MDL, which included a discussion of bellwether trials. The purpose of “bellwether” trials is to try cases that are representative of plaintiffs’ claims generally and to determine the strength of plaintiffs’ claims and the extent of defendants’ potential liability. According to Bloomberg News, the first federal trial could begin next March or April. There are approximately 4,200 federal lawsuits in the DePuy ASR hip MDL, and another 2,000 cases in state courts. Bloomberg News further reports that DePuy has produced more than 37 million pages of documents in the discovery process to date. Lawyers have conducted 22 days of depositions with key company witnesses, and another 32 days of depositions are scheduled.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP Continues To File Metal-On-Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuits

In addition to actively filing metal-on-metal hip replacement lawsuits on behalf of individuals in the DePuy ASR hip MDL, the lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are also filing lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have been implanted with metal-on-metal Pinnacle hip replacement systems, also manufactured by DePuy, in In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2244”), which is currently underway in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. In addition, the firm is investigating cases concerning another metal hip implant manufactured by Wright Medical Technology, Inc. Lawsuits involving the Wright Conserve hip replacement were recently consolidated in In re: Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Conserve Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2329”), which is now pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Those who have experienced metal hip implant side effects may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries. Learn more about filing a metal hip replacement lawsuit by visiting our website, www.consumerinjurylawyers.com, or by watching this video.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past nine consecutive years. Only two firms in the country have been selected for the Hot List nine years in a row.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Amy L. Abate.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info@consumerinjurylawyers.com
www.consumerinjurylawyers.com

Bernstein Liebhard LLP reports on a May 9, 2012 metal hip replacement warning issued by Health Canada, the Canadian national health regulatory agency, cautioning patients about potential metal hip implant side effects. Health Canada warned patients to be aware of the following signs of adverse effects from the implants: (1) pain in the groin, hip or knee; (2) swelling at or near the hip joint; (3) a limp or change in walking ability, or limited range of motion. The metal hip replacement warning also identifies the following factors that place individuals at increased risk: (1) female patients; (2) patients with increased activity levels, (3) patients who are severely overweight; and (4) patients with implants for both hips. Previously, Health Canada sent a letter to orthopaedic surgeons on April 11, 2012, advising doctors on the best ways to monitor patients for metal hip implant side effects.

Hip Replacement Warning Latest In Series From Concerned Medical Agencies

The Health Canada metal hip replacement warning suggests that the adverse effects of the implants come from the metal ions released into the surrounding bloodstream due to the friction between the metal parts of the implant. It is the latest in a series of metal hip replacement warnings. In February 2012, an investigation by the British Medical Journal advised that patients should be monitored annually for signs of metallosis, or metal poisoning, for as long as they had a metal hip implant. On March 2012, a study published in The Lancet medical journal concluded that metal on metal hips should not be used at all due to serious side effects. In June, an expert advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will convene to evaluate metal hip implant side effects and safety.

Metal Hip Implant Side Effects Lead To Mounting Litigation

Individuals who suffered from metal hip implant side effects are filing lawsuits against the metal hip manufacturers. The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are actively involved in numerous litigations concerning metal hip implant side effects, including: In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2197”), which is currently underway in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2244”), which is currently underway in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The firm is also investigating cases concerning another metal hip implant manufactured by Wright Medical Technology, Inc. Lawsuits involving this hip replacement were recently consolidated in In re: Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Conserve Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2329”), which is now pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Those who have experienced metal hip implant side effects may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries. Learn more about filing a hip replacement lawsuit by visiting our website, www.consumerinjurylawyers.com, or by watching this video.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past nine consecutive years. Only two firms in the country have been selected for the Hot List nine years in a row.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Amy L. Abate.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info@consumerinjurylawyers.com
www.consumerinjurylawyers.com

Bernstein Liebhard LLP reports on a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) analysis published on May 9, 2012 that cautions against long term use of Fosamax due to its uncertain benefits and the possibility of bisphosphonate complications. The FDA review, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, came after growing debate on the side effects of long term use of Fosamax and other bisphosphonates. The Agency’s systematic review analyzed only long term use of bisphosphonates and found that the drugs offered little, if any, benefit after three to five years of use. As reported by the New York Times, experts are concerned that in certain cases of long term use, the drugs may lead to weaker bones in post-menopausal women and cause other bisphosphonate complications such as femur fractures, esophageal cancer and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Although the FDA did not issue specific guidelines for the duration of use, the analysis did suggest heightened awareness of the risks of long term use of Fosamax and other bisphosphonates.

Long Term Use of Fosamax And Other Bisphosphonates Unnecessary For Many

According to the New York Times, some women with moderate bone density and no other risk factors are unlikely to derive benefits from long term use of bisphosphonates, yet continued to take these medications for years. Dr. Clifford J. Rosen, an endocrinologist and researcher at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute told the New York Times, “I think a lot of people are going to come off this drug.” In an accompanying article in The New England Journal of Medicine by Dr. Rosen and others, the researchers estimated that 60 to 70 percent of current users should consider discontinuing using the drugs after three to five years. According to the study, women who have been diagnosed with osteopenia, a mild version of low bone density, are especially good candidates to stop taking bisphosphonates after three to five years, particularly in light of the recent safety concerns.

Bisphosphonate Complications Lead To Mounting Litigation

Individuals who have experienced bisphosphonate complications such as atypical femur fractures are filing lawsuits against the drug manufacturers. The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are currently representing clients who suffered from bisphosphonate complications after long term Fosamax use. The Firm is actively filing cases on behalf of these individuals in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic County, in In re: Fosamax Litigation (No. 282 N.J. Super. Ct.). Those who took Fosamax and sustained a femur fracture may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries.

Learn more about filing a Fosamax lawsuit by visiting our website, www.consumerinjurylawyers.com, or by watching this video.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past nine consecutive years. Only two firms in the country have been selected for the Hot List nine years in a row.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
(877) 779-1414

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2012 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Amy L. Abate.  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
Felecia L. Stern, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info@consumerinjurylawyers.com
www.consumerinjurylawyers.com