Phen-Fen Lawsuits in the United States

Fen-Phen (or Phen-Fen) is a combination of the drugs fenfluramine (Pondimin) and phentermine (Fastin) used to treat obesity. The use of Fen-Phen has been associated with serious medical conditions, specifically valvular heart disease (damaged heart valves), PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) and neuropsychological complications.

The use of these drugs in combination or for extended periods of time was never approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). The FDA eventually requested that they be withdrawn from the market.

Numerous phen-fen lawsuits have been filed by fen-phen attorneys in the United States. They include class action phen-fen lawsuits and claims made on behalf of individuals by fen-phen attorneys in attempts to recover damages related to the use of fen-phen.

The most recent trend has involved a refusal of afflicted consumers to participate in class action litigation mediated by Federal Courts in favor of filing in state jurisdictions, where amounts awarded may be considerably higher. These efforts have been countered by efforts to refer these state cases to higher courts.

Medical Complications:

Valvular heart disease results in inefficiencies in the heart's ability to effectively pump blood to it's ultimate destination, be it the lungs, or to the remainder of the body. People who have developed this complication require intensive medical management of their condition and symptoms, surgical repair of damaged valves, or sometimes replacement of the defective valves.

PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) also requires complex efforts to manage symptoms medically, but may ultimately require organ transplant. Despite aggressive therapies, it may be fatal.

Neuropsychological complications include changes in behavior, depression or mood swings, memory loss and psychosis. Treatment for these disturbances is limited to efforts aimed at minimizing symptoms, and at times may include medication or hospitalization.

Litigation:

Individual who have suffered damages as a result of taking fen-phen, or fenfluramine and the related drug, dexfenfluramine (Redux) are entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, lost earnings, medical expenses, and punitive damages.

Efforts to assist those people who have suffered damages as a result of taking fen-phen is provided by fen-phen attorneys through litigation (phen-fen lawsuits), either in the form of class action suits or individual claims.

On August 18, 2006, Bloomberg News reported that more than 175,000 claims had been filed since Pondimin and Redux were recalled. They also noted that Wyeth (the company responsible for the manufacture and distribution of these products) had settled countless claims before filing was necessary.

In 1999, American Home Products (Wyeth) suffered a verdict that awarded $23 million to the family of a women who had developed serious medical complication related to her use of one of their products.

American Home Products later negotiated a class action settlement for $3.75 billion which was subsequently increased to $4.75 billion to help pay for damages related to their products.

Thousands of phen-fen lawsuits have been filed across the country in every conceivable jurisdiction related to damages of this type.