Lawsuits have been and continue to be filed by individuals who have suffered various bleed-related injuries (often irreversible and fatal) as a result of taking Eliquis (apixaban), an oral tablet used to reduce the risk of stroke and dangerous blood clots (systemic embolism). Eliquis is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company of Princeton, N.J. and marketed by BMS and Pfizer Inc. of New York. The lawsuits argue that Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company and Pfizer, Inc. did not conduct sufficient testing of the drug, and that their warnings and instructions as to the alleged risks, including the unavailability of a reversal agent to counteract bleeding, were inadequate.
Recently, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc. asked the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to create a multidistrict litigation (MDL) docket for the cases in the Southern District of New York. A MDL is a type of legal proceeding that helps federal courts efficiently manage many similar cases filed in many different courts across the U.S. by allowing the temporary transfer of all of the federal civil lawsuits to one or more district courts for pretrial consolidation or coordination. The JPML is a group of federal judges designated by the Chief Justice of the United States, which has the responsibility for determining which cases qualify for MDL treatment, as well as which district court to transfer and consolidate these cases. The transfers are made if the Panel determines that the transfers will result in the convenience of the parties and witnesses and will promote the just and efficient conduct of the cases. (For more information about MDLs and the JPML, contact Borgess Law.)
On February 7, 2017, the JPML concluded that the Southern District of New York is an appropriate transferee district for this litigation, assigning the cases to Judge Denise L. Cote.
Litigation involving another blood thinner, Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is also ongoing and has been centralized in the Eastern District of Louisiana and assigned to the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings.
Borgess Law will continue to keep you updated on the status of the Eliquis and Xarelto litigations.
How We Can Help:
If you or someone you love has suffered a bleed-related injury after taking Eliquis, Xarelto or other blood thinner, you should be aware of the ongoing litigation.
Attorney Pamela A. Borgess, the founder of Borgess Law, LLC, has extensive experience with numerous national high-profile defective medical drug/device cases and can discuss your legal options. For more information about the Eliquis and Xarelto litigations or to discuss a potential claim, contact Borgess Law at (567) 455-5955 or toll-free at (844) LAW-9144. You can also contact Borgess Law by submitting an online inquiry. Borgess Law never charges for initial consultations. We welcome any questions you may have.