There are currently hundreds of Mass Tort cases pending across the country involving various medications and products. When there are thousands of individual claims and cases related to one product or event that is commonly referred to as a Mass Tort. These differ from class actions because each individual claim or case has to be brought individually. In a class action thousands of people may be represented in one civil lawsuit. Even though the claim or case may not be part of a “class action”,  in a mass tort situation victims benefit from being grouped with a large number of other victims who have suffered similar injuries or damages. In the area of Mass Tort Litigation, it is important for claimants to be represented by attorneys and law firms who are experienced in Mass Tort Litigation and who have specific knowledge about the drug or product in question. Also, the attorney and law firm must have adequate financial resources for the large number of claims and/or cases they are prosecuting. At Moore & Wolfe we are not directly handling Mass Tort cases; however, we have helped hundreds of consumers and victims locate attorneys in our State and/or across the country who are handling specific Mass Tort cases. If you, or a friend, or a family member may have a claim related to any of the following and you have not already consulted with an attorney, please call us today at 433-7766:

Medications and Conditions:

- Baycol: Linked to the sometimes fatal condition of rhabdomyolysis, a painful disorder that destroys muscle tissue and can lead to kidney failure.

- Hormone Therapy (HT). Drugs such as Prempro and Premarin can increase the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

- Neurontin: Off label prescription may contribute to suicidal thought in users. An “off-label” prescription is one that is written for a purpose other than what a drug was initially intended or approved for. Some drug manufacturers provide doctors with other “off label” conditions that a drug can be used for and encourage doctors to write prescriptions for these conditions.

- Crestor: Linked to the sometimes fatal condition of rhabdomyolysis, a painful disorder that destroys muscle tissue and can lead to kidney failure.

- Serevent and Advair: May be associated with an increased risk of asthma-related deaths, especially in African-American users.

- Statins (Lipitor, Pravachol, Lescol, Mevacor and Zocor):  Have been associated with renal failure and the sometimes fatal condition of rhabdomyolysis, a painful disorder that destroys muscle tissue and can lead to kidney failure.

- Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra:  These drugs have been linked to heart attacks and strokes.

- Zyprexa: Prescribed for psychotic conditions, this drug may be associated with development of diabetes and hyperglycemia in users.

- Zithromax: (azithromycin). An antibiotic used to treat respiratory infections; serious health problems such as liver damage have been attributed to this drug.

Medical Conditions Related to Medication:

- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS): A severe skin rash condition with its worst form being toxic epidermal necrolysis (TENS),  chances of contracting SJS are increased with use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex and includes ibuprofen and naproxen.

- Tardive-Dysinesia (TD): A syndrome of involuntary movements or movement disorders that may develop in patients who treat with any number of prescribed antipsychotic medications for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder or other such symptoms.

Medical Devices and Conditions:

- Smith and Nephew Knee Replacements:  Oxinium Genesis II and the Profix II were voluntarily withdrawn form the market because of potential defects. The devices were used from February 2002 through September 2003.

- Guidant Ancure Endograft System: Introduced by EndoVascular Technologies (EVT), a subsidiary of Guidant Corporation, this device was used from 1999 to March 2001 for abdominal aortic aneurysms.  EVT discontinued production of the Ancure® device after pleading guilty to 10 felony counts for their failure to report more than 2,600 problems, including death, related to the device.

- Guidant Heart Devices: In July 2005 the FDA recalled implantable defibrillators and pacemakers produced by Guidant Corporation. The wiring in the recalled devices deteriorates too quickly thereby preventing the devices from delivering the anticipated therapy.

- Medtronic Heart Devices: In April of 2004 the FDA recalled implantable defibrillators made by Medtronic Inc. between 1997 and 1998. Also in February 2005 the FDA recalled other Medtronic defibrillators whose batteries were made between April 2001 and December 2003.