Investigations

Those injured by Heparin may be entitled to file a lawsuit seeking compensatory damages. Heparin has been linked to severe and fatal allergic reactions. If you or a loved one has been injured by Heparin, our lawyers can assist you in assessing your legal rights and filing a lawsuit to recover for:

• Medical bill expenses
• Permanent disability costs
  
• Loss of income
• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering
• Out-of-pocket expenses.

Lawsuits filed against Baxter for Heparin’s Allergic Reactions:

Many lawyers have filed lawsuits on behalf of their clients alleging that contaminated Heparin is to blame for their client’s allergic reactions. Baxter received contaminated Heparin from a Chinese facility that the FDA did not inspect due to a mix-up. The Heparin lawsuits further allege that an FDA inspection would have revealed that the farming and quality control standards of the Chinese pig farms were inadequate (Heparin is derived from pig intestines and cow lungs).  Many Heparin lawsuits assert that Baxter was negligent for not ensuring the FDA had the appropriate information to conduct the inspection of the Chinese facility.

Some of the lawsuits allege that Baxter knew about Heparin’s significant side effects when the FDA issued its February 11th Public Health Advisory. Baxter did not recall its Heparin products until February 29, at least two weeks later. Lawyers note that two weeks may not seem like a long period of time but Baxter was producing approximately 100,000 vials of Heparin per day. The lawsuits further allege that Baxter was negligent in not recalling its heparin products sooner.

Lawsuits for Heparin Overdose Filed Against Baxter

Lawyers are also filing lawsuits against Baxter on behalf of individuals harmed by Heparin overdoses.  The lawsuits were brought by plaintiffs who were harmed because they were injected with 10,000 units/ml as opposed to a 100 units/ml of Heparin because of human error caused by the similarity in the appearance of Heparin vials. The lawsuits highlight that Heparin overdose has resulted in three infant deaths and also was responsible for injuries suffered by actor Dennis Quaid’s twin infants. Heparin lawyers and the lawsuits allege that Baxter was negligent in not creating distinctive 100 units/ml and 10,000 units/ml vials to avoid human error. 

Lawsuits against Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL):

The FDA is investigating if SPL and its Chinese facility intentionally produced the contaminated heparin. The lawsuits allege that this Chinese facility used a synthetic, oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS), instead of heparin that allegedly caused the allergic reactions. Heparin lawsuits also note that OSCS works similarly to Heparin, allowing it to avoid detection in routine tests. The cost of OSCS is only $9 per pound compared to the Heparin cost of $90 per pound. Lawsuits highlight that there was a great monetary motive for SPL and the Chinese facility to supply Baxter with contaminated heparin. Lawsuits also allege that SPL was negligent for not closely monitoring the Chinese facility to ensure that only pure uncontaminated heparin was supplied to Baxter.

Heparin Lawsuit Information

If you need additional information about Heparin lawsuits or Heparin’s side effects, please contact us today to speak with our lawyers. Our lawyers are available for consultation to help you assess your legal rights.