Dialysis uses chemicals to help rid the blood of toxic substances in patients whose kidneys are not properly functioning. GranuFlo, one of these chemicals, is a dry powder intended to help clean out the patient’s body. However, patients have come forward, reporting complications such as strokes, heart attacks and deaths of loved ones that have been allegedly attributed to the use of GranuFlo. As a result, patients and their families are coming forward to work with a GranuFlo attorney in an effort to recover damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages.
If you or a loved one took GranuFlo during dialysis and suffered from cardiac complications such as a heart attack or stroke, you may have legal recourse. Contact a GranuFlo attorney at the Johnson Firm today to learn more about your rights and to pursue a claim to seek compensation for your injuries.
GranuFlo Overview
Initially, Fresenius Medical Care, the manufacturer of GranuFlo, marketed the product to dialysis treatment facilities as cost-effective and convenient. The chemicals used in dialysis, called diasylates, convert to sodium bicarbonate that subsequently neutralizes the acid compounds produced by normal body processes.
In non-affected patients, the kidneys work to neutralize the toxic compounds, but in those whose kidney functions are compromised, dialysis must be used to rid these toxins from the body. GranuFlo contains higher levels of the active ingredients typically found in diasylates and is available in a concentrated form that makes it a most cost-effective solution for centers.
Patients who were given GranuFlo were found to have an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia that ultimately led to strokes and heart attacks. In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Class I warning on the product, warning healthcare facilities of the potential complications that could arise from its use. As a result, Fresenius Medical Care recalled GranuFlo in 2012.
Nevertheless, patients who suffered from complications prior to the recall of the product may consider seeking legal representation from a GranuFlo attorney if it can be proven that their injuries or side effects were the direct result of the product. If you believe you were a victim of GranuFlo, you may be entitled to recover damages for your condition. Contact the Johnson Firm today to learn more about your legal rights.
Side Effects of GranuFlo
GranuFlo, like many pharmaceuticals available today, may cause adverse side effects and complications. Patients who have taken GranuFlo and who are currently working with a GranuFlo attorney allege that the medication led them to suffer from:
- Low blood oxygen levels
- Low blood pressure
- Low potassium levels
- Increased carbon dioxide levels
Additionally, patients who were already at an increased risk of complications due to previously diagnosed health conditions allegedly suffered from additional medical problems. It has been alleged that the abnormal levels of blood chemicals in dialysis patients using GranuFlo resulted in strokes, heart attacks, heart arrhythmias and sudden death.
It has also been asserted that patients using GranuFlo were six to eight times more likely to suffer from cardiac arrest than those who did not use the product. As a result, the link between GranuFlo and cardiac complications became increasingly apparent, and GranuFlo attorneys began to advise victims of their rights to seek compensation for loss of support, medical expenses and other damages suffered as a result of using GranuFlo.
Plaintiffs File GranuFlo Lawsuits
Due to the alleged complications of GranuFlo, patients and their families may suffer from considerable loss and expenses. GranuFlo attorneys who are aware of the growing number of claims of patient injury are advising families to consider filing a GranuFlo lawsuit to determine whether the manufacturer should be held accountable for these conditions. Currently, court documents indicate that there are nearly 300 GranuFlo lawsuits pending in courts across the U.S. In these cases, GranuFlo attorneys contend that the higher amount of the active ingredient in GranuFlo was not made clear, resulting in a higher rate of medical problems and deaths. Additionally, GranuFlo attorneys assert in their lawsuits that Fresenius Medical Care knew of the potential complications and side effects of GranuFlo and purposefully hid this information from the public and healthcare communities in an attempt to increase profit.
Injured? A GranuFlo Attorney Can Help
If you or someone you love sustained an injury while taking GranuFlo, consider seeking legal counsel from an experienced GranuFlo attorney. At the Johnson Firm , we understand how devastating injuries can be, especially if there is a chance it is the result of a medication that was intended to help you. We will work to help you pursue a GranuFlo claim if you have a valid case, and our GranuFlo attorneys will work to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.