The Current Status of the Onglyza® Lawsuit

Claims Filed against AstraZeneca

A woman in Illinois has filed a claim against AstraZeneca following the death of her mother in 2013. The woman’s mother took Onglyza® for her type 2 diabetes and began to suffer heart failure in 2011, leading to her death in 2013. The plaintiff is seeking more than $50,000 in compensation, plus punitive damages for her loss.

Some claims allege that AstraZeneca used fraudulent marketing techniques and continued to promote the drug despite the associated risks.

Other Onglyza® claims against AstraZeneca allege that the manufacturer failed to conduct thorough pre-market trials and neglected to provide adequate warnings to doctors and patients about the potentially serious side effects of the drug. Some claims also allege that AstraZeneca used fraudulent marketing techniques and continued to promote the drug despite the associated risks.

Multidistrict Litigation for Onglyza® Lawsuits

Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a federal procedure that was designed to create a more efficient process for handling similar, complex cases. The MDL process allows similar cases to be grouped together for more streamlined rulings on many issues, but still allows for individual resolutions, which can result in personalized settlements for each plaintiff based on the severity of their injuries.

Evidence and Discovery in Onglyza® Lawsuits

The process of discovery is a pre-trial procedure where each party can obtain evidence from the other party or parties involved in the lawsuit. There are a variety of different types of evidence that may be used in a defective drug lawsuit.

Types of Evidence in Defective Drug Lawsuits

• Your medical records may be used to show any existing and new medical conditions, as well as any treatments or procedures you have undergone as a result.
• Your medical bills will be required to show evidence of the costs that you incurred as a result of injuries from the drug.
• Your pay stubs or tax returns may also be required to prove your income and to show any loss of wages that you or your family may have experienced related to time off work due to your illness or injury.
• If your claim asserts that fraudulent advertising or an inadequate warning was involved, you (with the assistance of your attorney) will need to furnish proof of those claims.
• Your attorney will likely use expert testimony from medical and pharmaceutical experts, and may also call your medical providers as witnesses.

Evidence against Onglyza®

Patients filing lawsuits concerning Onglyza® are providing their medical records to prove that they have suffered a complication from the drug. Attorneys may reference the numerous studies that address these risks in conjunction with expert testimony.

If you have been injured by a defective drug, Speak with an Attorney

Lawsuits that include allegations of inadequate warnings or false advertising will furnish proof of those instances, and may include testimony from the patient’s doctor stating that he or she was not aware of the risks at the time the medication was prescribed. Other claims may include allegations that pre-market trials were not conducted thoroughly or that marketing of the drug continued despite the known risks.

Multidistrict Litigation vs. Class Action

Both MDL and class action lawsuits are procedures designed to expedite the litigation process, however, they have some distinct differences.

Multidistrict Litigation

As previously mentioned, MDL consolidates a large group of similar cases against a common defendant or defendants to be overseen by a single judge to streamline the discovery process. MDL groups the cases with similar issues, claims, and allegations together for pre-trial rulings. This allows the court to address the issues affecting multiple cases all at once rather than individually. MDL lawsuits remain separate, however, allowing each individual plaintiff a separate trial and settlement, which means reward amounts will vary depending on each plaintiff’s specific illnesses and injuries. An MDL lawsuit can eventually lead to a class action lawsuit.

Class Action Lawsuit

A class action lawsuit is a single lawsuit with multiple, similar complainants. The litigation costs of a class action lawsuit are divided up over a larger group of people, which can make it more affordable for many plaintiffs. Many class action lawsuits reach a settlement before going to trial. If a plaintiff meets the class criteria, they can submit a claim for a percentage of the settlement. In some cases, this percentage may end up being a very small amount. Injured individuals have the right not to participate in the lawsuit. Those who do participate in the lawsuit lose their right to file an individual lawsuit at a later date, regardless of the outcome of the class action lawsuit.

Find an Onglyza® Attorney Near You

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious side effect after being prescribed Onglyza®, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. It is important to work with a skilled defective drug attorney, who can provide you with the appropriate legal counsel and help you receive the compensation that you deserve. Contact an experienced pharmaceutical attorney you for a free case evaluation.