Often, large lawsuits go unnoticed by the public eye. Occasionally, however, it is in the best interest of the public to pay attention to big cases happening right now. With that, we’re here to tell you about five big cases happening now that you should be paying attention to — both for yourself, and your loved ones. 

Baby Formula Lawsuit

One series of cases that has the potential to affect the most vulnerable in our communities is the baby formula lawsuits. Recently, it has been disclosed that certain formulas created by Enfamil and Similac have the predisposition to cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature babies who have consumed the formula. What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis, you may ask? Based on one definition, it is a very serious and often fatal condition in which bacteria invade the intestinal walls of an infant (often premature). This invasion of bacteria causes infection and inflammation throughout the body and partial, or complete destruction of the bowels. 

The facts of the case are these: it is serious medical malpractice on the part of the creators of the formula in their failure to inform parents about the connection between cows’ milk and NEC in premature babies. It is important to note that you should consult your doctor before giving your infant any type of formula, especially if your child is premature.

Symptoms of Necrotizing Enterocolitis may include: 

• metabolic acidosis
• feeding intolerance
• abdominal distention
•  jaundice appearance
• feeding residuals
• green fluid in the abdominal wall
• Lethargy
• acidosis
• decreased bowel sounds
• trouble breathing 
• bradycardia or slow heart rate.
  

The two companies that are under fire for these lawsuits are Enfamil and Similac baby formula producers. If your premature baby developed NEC after drinking the following, you may be entitled to a part of this lawsuit: 

• Enfamil NeoPro EnfaCare Infant Formula (Mead Johnson says is the "best" for premature babies)
• Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 20 Cal with Iron
• Enfamil 24 Cal Infant Formula
• Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal High Protein
• Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal with Iron
• Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 30 Cal with Iron
• Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier
• Similac NeoSure
• Similac Alimentum Expert Care
• Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
• Similac Human Milk Fortifier
• Similac Human Milk Fortifier Hydrolyzed Protein Concentrated Liquid
• Similac Special Care 20
• Similac Special Care 24
• Similac Special Care 24 High Protein
• Similac Special Care 30
  

As we have stated, this is a very serious and potentially fatal disease that can harm premature babies who have consumed any of these products. It is important to be aware of these potential dangers so we can protect the most vulnerable in our communities and keep them healthy and safe. 

Hernia Mesh Lawsuits

Another important case to be aware of is the Hernia Mesh Lawsuit. In this case, victims claim that mesh products manufactured by certain companies to cure hernial protrusions have led to severe injuries.

The Hernia Mesh case now includes over 20,000 lawsuits claiming injury from the product and medical malpractice. Due to the pandemic, the proceedings have been largely postponed, but many are currently underway and we can expect more updates in the coming days.

The four major aspects of the lawsuit claim the following:

• Defective product design
• Improper product labeling, failing to warn patients and doctors about the risk of mesh failure and complications
• Defective product manufacturing
• Malpractice was committed by the plaintiff’s doctor who implanted the faulty mesh.
  

In most of the lawsuits, the claims focus on the injuries sustained by the victims. Many of the resulted traumas are as follows:

• Adhesion - when the mesh implant sticks to other organs and tissues in the body;
• Pain - when the pain lasts for more than a month or in some cases years even after the hernia mesh surgery and leads to nerve damage and inflammation;
• Bowel Obstruction - when the hernia mesh sticks to the intestines or moves around the body;
• Infection - there is a chronic infection around the hernia mesh that may lead to further infection; 
• Mesh Failure - when the hernia surgery fails and the implants cause more pain and problems to the individual.
• Migration - when the implant causes problems, such as the pain and hernia recurrence and needs to be removed, or the hernia moves to other parts of the body.
  

Zantac Lawsuits

In 2019, a popular heartburn relief drug used by adults, children, and infants, known as Zantac, was recalled by the FDA. This drug contains an ingredient called ranitidine containing N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), and it has now been labeled by the FDA as a probable human carcinogen; it is now known to cause different kinds of cancer. 

These lawsuits, asking for compensation from drug manufacturers, have been filed by individuals who have taken, or have minors who have taken, Zantac and ranitidine contaminated with NDMA that have caused various cancers. 

Cancers That Qualify

If you have taken Zantac and have one of the following types of cancer, you may be entitled to compensation from this lawsuit: 

• Bladder cancer and bladder removal
• Breast cancer
• Colon cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Kidney cancer and kidney removal
• Liver cancer
• Melanoma
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer

Philips CPAP Lawsuits

The Philips CPAP Lawsuit is another currently occurring and problematic case that has affected many in our communities. This case is a result of recalled Philips CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilator devices using polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam. These devices containing this foam have been found to cause various cancers and serious respiratory issues. 

The claims, in this case, state that Philips manufactured defective devices and did not disclose to the public the potential repercussions of using these devices. According to Brendan McDonough, an attorney overseeing Philips CPAP litigation with national law firm Weitz & Luxenberg: “The FDA’s investigation further reveals the company’s own internal testing showed the degradation products of PE-PUR foam are toxic and potentially carcinogenic. The company chose to keep using the PE-PUR foam anyway, and did not alert the public to the risk of harm” 

Problems associated with using Philips CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilator devices are vast. They include the following:

• Acute Respiratory Distress System (ARDS)
• Bladder Cancer
• Brain Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Chemical Poisoning
• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure
• Hematopoietic Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Kidney/Renal Damage
• Kidney/Renal Disease
• Leukemia
• Liver Cancer
• Liver Damage
• Liver Disease
• Lung Cancer
• Lung Damage
• Lung Disease
• Lymphatic Cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• Nasal Cancer
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Papillary Carcinoma
• Pleural Effusion
• Prostate Cancer
• Reactive Airway Disease (RAD)
• Rectal Cancer
• Respiratory Failure
• Severe Ear Inflammation
• Severe Nose Inflammation
• Severe Throat Inflammation
• Stomach Cancer
• Testicular Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer

If you have developed one of these medical issues after using a Philips device, you may be entitled to medical compensation. 

Paraquat Lawsuits

Last on this list is the Paraquat Case, a series of lawsuits claiming a serious link between the use of herbicide, Paraquat, and Parkinson’s Disease. This herbicide, though banned in many other countries, has been heavily used in the US, being one of the most widely used herbicides according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In fact, EPA estimates that nearly 11 million pounds of Paraquat herbicide is sprayed on US crops each year.

Individuals who have been exposed to this herbicide have a higher likelihood of developing Parkinson’s Disease and these other medical conditions: 

• Breathing difficulties;
• Coma;
• Confusion;
• Dehydration;
• Elevated heart rate;
• Gastrointestinal distress;
• Muscle fatigue or weakness;
• Pain and swelling of the mouth and throat;
• Seizures; and
• Death.

Have you been affected by any of these claims?

If you think that you have been affected by any of these products currently in lawsuits, give us a call at 321-723-6591 to find out if you have the right to file a claim for compensation and to see what your options are. As we have discussed, it is often vital to keep up with big cases that can potentially affect our communities negatively; in doing this we can keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, healthy, and happy.