Lawsuit Information Center

October 3, 2014

Viagra and Vision Side Effects

Recently, we told you that new studies are reporting that men who have used Viagra for ED had a significantly elevated risk of melanoma. New studies prove there’s yet a new concern.

One of the most well-recognized brand-name medications, Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) by relaxing muscles and increasing blood flow to particular areas of the body. New research has indicated that approximately one out of every 50 men who have used Viagra may experience visual disturbances. These disturbances can include blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and even total blindness.

Researchers are now reporting that Viagra may not be suitable for men who carry a gene mutation associated with the inherited eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa. Retinitis pigmentosa is a hereditary condition that causes progressive loss of light reception and the outer fields of vision, leading to tunnel vision and blindness. As temporary visual disturbances have been reported by some people after taking sildenafil, a study investigating the effects on the retina of mice was conducted.

June 3, 2014

Viagra and Melanoma | Is there a Link?

by Ronald V. Miller, Jr.

If you want an erection, Viagra seems to work. Over 23 million men a year can’t be wrong. It is easy to joke about, but it is obviously a great thing for many men. But for the last 16 years since Viagra received FDA approval in 1998, we have been trying to figure out what side effects Viagra has. Because people have a right to balance their desire to keep an erection – and also consider the other drugs they might use – and the medication’s side effects. We have heard lots of discussion of vision-threatening complications and hearing loss. Now there is a new deadly concern: melanoma.

Sildenafil citratre, more commonly known as Viagra, is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) by relaxing muscles and increasing blood flow to particular areas of the body. Now, in a study recently published online in JAMA Medicine, it has been reported that men who have used Viagra for ED had a significantly elevated risk of melanoma. Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is the leading cause of death from skin disease. While melanoma accounts for less than 2% of skin cancer cases each year, it makes up the majority of skin cancer fatalities.

The study, involving researchers from Harvard and Brown Universities, compared the medical charts of 26,000 men to see if cancer rates differed among those who took Viagra and those who did not. The study revealed that men who had taken Viagra for erectile dysfunction had double the risk of developing melanoma than men who had not taken the drug.

April 22, 2014

Two New Pennsylvania Appellate Nursing Opinions

by Ronald V. Miller, Jr.

Unfortunately, most courts around the country have enforced nursing home agreements executed by residents agreeing to forgo civil claims in favor of arbitration for negligence claims.

The game changes in wrongful death cases. Usually this is for a very simple reason: the parties have changed. Courts in Maryland and other jurisdictions have largely declined to enforce arbitration agreements between nursing homes and deceased residents because any wrongful death action is not an “asset” of the estate but a claim brought under the plaintiffs’ own right for the loss of their spouse or parent.

There are two new Pennsylvania nursing home cases that favor plaintiffs in these disputes.

Pisano v. Extendicare

In Pisano v. Extendicare Homes, a Pennsylvania intermediate court affirmed the trial court’s motion for summary judgment in a wrongful death and survival action filed against a nursing home. The nursing home attempted to compel arbitration over both causes of action based on the existence of an agreement to arbitrate all claims against the nursing home, expressly including survival and wrongful death actions. This was an issue of first impression in Pennsylvania.

The nursing home’s best argument in these cases, which they made in Pisano, is that a wrongful death claim is a derivative of and defined by the decedent’s rights. While it is their best argument, it is weak. The Pennsylvania court agreed using a lot of complicated legal analysis that can best be described as follows: the parties are different so it is not derivative.

April 10, 2014

More Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Replacement Settlements

by Ronald V. Miller, Jr.

Stryker hip settlements are being reached

Settlements are being reached in more Stryker Rejuvenate hip replacement cases filed in New Jersey state court. More resolutions of these cases are likely to be imminent.

The first phase, a group of 10 cases previously selected for early mediation, has resulted in the conclusion of all 10 cases. Additionally, at least two cases from the second phase have resolved. This is a harbinger of broad agreements on the remaining cases, not only for the 950 cases pending in New Jersey state court but also for the cases pending in the MDL class action.

What are the Stryker Claims About?

Stryker Rejuvenate hip systems were removed from the market less than two years after the design was introduced. While originally designed to last 15 to 20 years, they began to fail immediately. So that was the first problem. The second problem is that the Stryker initially did little to try to cure the problem.

What was the complication with this device? Consisting of modular neck-stems with two pieces that fit inside of each other, they were designed to allow the surgeon to customize the length of the femoral component. Traditional hip implants consisted of a single femoral component. So you can see how this was an innovation. Why did it so epically fail? What happened was the rubbing of the neck and stem can release microscopic metal debris into the body as the chromium-cobalt neck rubs against the titanium femoral stem. In simpler terms, the debris is caused by the micromotion of the metal joints rubbing in the artificial hip. That’s not a good sign – or, a good product.
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February 24, 2014

Uterine Rupture Malpractice Lawsuits | What You Need to Know

by Ronald V. Miller, Jr.

A doctor’s failure to properly handle uterine rupture symptoms during childbirth can lead to the death of the child, and injury or death to the mother. This article discusses these cases and addresses:

The acts of a physician that lead to vaginal rupture cases.
The types of accidents that lead to large settlements and verdicts.

November 12, 2013

Potiga Problems | Concern with This Anti-Seizure Drug

by Ronald V. Miller, Jr.

The concerns over the anti-seizure drug Potiga were given new weight by a new black box warning. The problem is concerns of possible vision loss and blue discoloration of the skin that can be permanent. The FDA says that anyone who considers this drug should get an eye examination both before initiating treatment and every six months during the course of the treatment.

Just as importantly, the FDA underscores the limits of this medication by essentially saying that this medication should only be used by those who have not done well with other options. Why? The risks of taking the drug are pretty high. So it makes sense to make sure every other option has been fully explored with your doctor. So this drug has its place, but only in those situations where Protiga’s benefits outweigh the risk. Of course, this is true with every drug, but particularly so when the risks are what they are here.
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October 11, 2013

Gynecomastia from Risperdal Claims

by Ronald V. Miller, Jr.

Risperdal lawsuits have have mostly been resolved as of 2024 after a global settlement was reached. We have updated this post in 2024 to talk about the Risperdal settlements and are leaving the rest of this post up for informational purposes. Our lawyers are no longer seeking new claims.

2024 Risperdal Litigation Update

The lawsuits were primarily based on allegations that Risperdal, an antipsychotic medication, led to the development of gynecomastia in boys and young men, a condition characterized by the growth of breast tissue.

September 12, 2013

Litigation Tactic: Waiting for the Plaintiffs to Die

by Ronald V. Miller, Jr.

Plaintiffs’ counsel in the Aredia/Zometa MDL are asking the judge overseeing the coordinated litigation to remand the over 300 consolidated cases.

Why? Discovery is not over.

Some people may not live to get their day in court

August 15, 2013

Boston Scientific Vaginal Mesh Cases

by Ronald V. Miller, Jr.

The vaginal mesh cases are heating up everywhere as plaintiffs’ lawyers, who frankly smell blood, are pushing with greater vigor to get and hold trial dates. Multi-million dollar verdicts will do that.

In the Boston Scientific transvaginal mesh cases, lawyers are pushing fast to get a trial date and are expected to get one soon. How do you define “soon” in tort law? Early next year.

All these federal cases have been consolidated in an MDL under a good judge in West Virginia. The class action lawsuit against Boston Scientific contents the mesh that was supposed to protect them from pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence has done nothing but make their health problems far worse.

August 14, 2013

NuvaRing Settlements on the Horizon?

by Ronald V. Miller, Jr.

Earlier this month, the first federal NuvaRing lawsuit was delayed because there has been a lot of talk about settling not only that NuvaRing case, but all of the cases at one time. This blog post is about:

What these cases are really about?
An update on just where we are in the litigation?