Wrongful Death Lawsuits for Xarelto Bleeding
A number of deaths in recent years have been linked to uncontrollable bleeding problems associated with side effects of Xarelto, a controversial anticoagulant introduced in 2011.
The loss of a loved one can have a devastating impact on the surviving children, spouse, parents and other family members. As a result of the drug maker’s failure to properly research the blood thinner or adequately warn about the bleeding risks, financial compensation was pursued through a Xarelto wrongful death lawsuit for families of individuals who died from:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeds
- Brain Hemorrhages
- Hemorrhagic Strokes
- Other Fatal Bleeding Injury
Xarelto Bleeding Deaths
Xarelto (rivaroxaban) was introduced by Bayer Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson in November 2011, as part of a new class of blood thinners designed to replace warfarin (Coumadin), which has been the go-to drug for prevention of strokes among patients with atrial fibrillation and blood clots.
Amid aggressive marketing by the drug makers, Xarelto has been widely adopted by the medical community and has quickly reached blockbuster level, with annual sales approaching $1 billion within four years after it hit the market.
Shortly after it was introduced, concerns emerged about the risk of severe and uncontrollable bleeding, which has resulted in a large number of Xarelto deaths being reported nationwide.
According to a report by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), during the first full year Xarelto was on the market, more than 2,081 adverse event reports were submitted to the FDA, including at least 151 deaths on Xarelto.
Xarelto ranked 10th among the most frequently named suspect drugs in reports of problems submitted to the FDA during 2012, surpassing reports of bleeds and deaths associated with the much more widely used blood thinner warfarin and Pradaxa, which is a similar anticoagulant that was introduced more than one year earlier.
Patients Dying on Xarelto from Uncontrollable Bleeds
A major reason for the increased risk of bleeding to death on Xarelto appears to be linked to the lack of an approved reversal agent, as there is no safe and effective antidote available that doctors can use to quickly stop hemorrhaging that may develop.
With warfarin, which has been on the market since 1956, doctors are able to treat bleeds by reversing the blood thinning effects of the medication by administering a dose of vitamin K. Doctors were not provided with any quick antidote for Xarelto, resulting in more severe and uncontrollable bleeds, that may increase the risk of death.
According to allegations raised in Xarelto death lawsuits being pursued nationwide, Bayer and Johnson & Johnson placed their desire for profits before consumer safety by failing to fully explore all potential reversal agents before introducing the medication. In addition, important information about the lack of an antidote was buried within the prescribing information.
Studies have also suggested that the drug makers may have reduced the risk of patients dying on Xarelto from uncontrollable bleeding if they had provided stronger warnings and recommended blood monitoring during treatment.
A study published in the Journal of Cardiology in September 2014 found that measuring coagulation function during treatment may have allowed doctors to understand the effects of Xarelto on a particular patient and identify those who may be at an increased risk for bleeding or death.
Free Case Evaluations for Xarelto Wrongful Death
Following the loss of a loved one from Xarelto, wrongful death settlement benefits may be available for the financial consequences associated with the death, as well as for the mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, loss of society, companionship, comfort, protection, care, attention, advice, counsel, training, education or guidance, where applicable.
While wrongful death laws vary from state-to-state, most statutes allow primary beneficiaries to make a claim for damages associated with the death of a:
- Husband or Wife
- Father or Mother
- Son or Daughter
In the event that an individual who died on Xarelto left no surviving spouse, parent or child, wrongful death lawsuits may be available for certain secondary beneficiaries who were financially dependent upon the individual.
No amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one. However, if a Xarelto death may have ben prevented, there are certain rights that families have.
