March 28th, 2013
Pendley, Baudin & Coffin along with Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman have filed a class-action lawsuit that alleges pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has known for years that the drug does little to nothing to relieve the symptoms of depression and is demanding that Pfizer provide refunds to hundreds of thousands of Zoloft users. Chris Coffin of Pendley, Baudin & Coffin’s New Orleans office is quoted: ”In promoting the drug, they did not adequately represent all the facts, Pzifer has not given the full picture of the drug to consumers or to healthcare providers”. Click here to read the whole article. Click here to read about the case.
Posted in firm-news |
March 27th, 2013
Lipitor, a cholesterol lowering statin medication, and its generic version atorvastatin have been linked to an increased risk for diabetes in women. Studies found that women aged of 50 to 79, who were taking Lipitor or the generic atorvastatin, were at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Lipitor is produced and sold by Pfizer a pharmaceutical company.
A medication label change and health advisory by the FDA in 2012, required Pfizer to update Lipitor’s label to include the increased risk of causing type 2 diabetes. Read the FDA News Release in which this is referenced. Manufacturers of other statins were required to comply with the label change also.
Some of the medical studies investigating the link between statins and type 2 diabetes are:
If you are a woman who developed diabetes while using Lipitor or atorvastatin or if your loved one developed diabetes while using these drugs contact the attorneys of Pendley, Baudin and Coffin, L.L.P. by using our form below. Our experienced pharmaceutical attorneys will confidentially evaluate your claim for a Lipitor lawsuit.
Posted in Current Cases, firm-news |
February 19th, 2013
Stryker Corporation announced the recall of its Rejuvenate Modular and ABG II modular neck hip stems in July of 2012. Stryker warns that fretting and corrosion due to abrasive wear could lead to corrective hip revision surgery. This fretting and corrosion could lead to the following problems:
- Metallosis (Metal poisoning caused by release of metal ions into the blood stream and tissue)
- Pain or swelling in the leg, hip or groin
- Osteolysis (bone dissolution)
- Broken or loosened implants
- Necrosis (premature tissue death)
Stryker encourages patients with the device to contact their surgeons for an evaluation.
Ever since DePuy recalled its ASR hip implant, metal-on-metal, even though more durable, has been considered unsafe because metal rubbing against metal can cause metallosis. Stryker’s marketed “next generation” Rejuvenate and ABG II devices included multiple neck and stem components not considered traditional metal-on-metal implants since they contained a ceramic cup. However, The Stryker implant devices place a metal femoral stem against a metal neck. An increase in the risk of metallosis can be caused by the wear between these two junctions.
Stryker did not conduct test on the safety and effectiveness of these devices in patients before they began to sell them in 2009 and 2010.
Our attorneys at Pendley, Baudin and Coffin, L.L.P. are highly experienced and have been successful in medical device litigation. If you or a family member have a Stryker hip device and have suffered injuries or are concerned about your health, contact us by filling out the section below so that we can confidentially evaluate your claim.
Posted in Current Cases, firm-news |
January 31st, 2013
A consumer fraud class action complaint against Pfizer, Inc. has been filed by a California woman who claims that the company falsely and unlawfully marketed its antidepressant drug Zoloft as a highly effective treatment for depression and other mood disorders, knowing that the drug’s effectiveness was similar to that of a sugar pill.
Pendley, Baudin & Coffin and Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman filed the lawsuit on behalf of their client, Laura Plumlee, a housewife and mother of two, who began Zoloft in 2005 to treat her depression. Ms. Plumlee claims that Zoloft was not only ineffective at treating her symptoms, but led to horrible withdrawal reactions that left her hospitalized. The complaint, case no. 13-CV-00414-PSG, was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, before Magistrate Judge Paul Singh Grewal.
According to the complaint, Pfizer engaged in a deliberate pattern of deception that has made it impossible for consumers and health care professionals to make informed decisions about whether to take Zoloft. Pfizer has done this, the complaint alleges, by engaging in the following actions:
- Four of six Zoloft clinical trials submitted to the FDA by Pfizer prior to its 1991 approval found that the drug was no more effective than a placebo, or sugar pill.
- Pfizer has pursued a policy of intentional publication bias to ensure consumers and healthcare professionals remain unaware of the results of these negative trials.
- The two other trials, which were specifically designed to maximize Zoloft’s superiority over placebo, through data manipulation, showed only a slight statistical superiority of Zoloft over placebo that had little or no clinical significance.
- Pfizer concealed the true efficacy profile of Zoloft by creating a large “ghostwriting” program in which Pfizer, or a medical communications company paid by Pfizer called Current Medical Direction (CMD), authored studies promoting Zoloft’s efficacy and then paid influential members of the medical community to add their names to the studies, which would then get published in high-profile medical journals.
The Zoloft lawsuit claims that the above actions made it impossible for consumers to make truly informed decisions regarding the efficacy and risks associated with Zoloft (generic name sertraline).
Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a class of antidepressants that have been linked to very serious side effects including suicidal behavior, intense withdrawal symptoms and life-threatening birth defects in babies whose mothers took antidepressants while pregnant.
Pendley, Baudin & Coffin, L.L.P., located in New Orleans and Plaquemine, Louisiana has represented thousands of clients throughout the U.S. injured by defective pharmaceutical drugs against some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Attorney Chris Coffin, also a registered nurse, heads the firm’s Pharma litigation practice group. Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman is a national law firm that has represented thousands of patients in pharmaceutical litigation and is known for its public safety advocacy work. Baum Hedlund has offices in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., and is listed in the Bar Register of Pre-eminent Lawyers.
For Additional news on the case click here and click here.
Posted in Current Cases, firm-news |
November 15th, 2012
BP said on Thursday, November 15, 2012, it would pay $4.5 billion in payments and fines to the U.S. government over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico two years ago. BP plead guilty to 14 criminal charges including 11 felony counts of misconduct related to the deaths of 11 men in the rig explosion that led to the oil spill. BP also pleaded guilty to a felony count of obstruction of Congress.
Posted in firm-news |
October 15th, 2012
Policyholders of United American Insurance Company’s limited benefit insurance policies complain of misconduct and denial of insurance. United American Insurance Company has been accused of marketing their limited benefit insurance policies as equal to or better than major medical health insurance. United American recently entered into a class action settlement to resolve some, but not all of these complaints. Policyholders still complain that United American Insurance Company continues to fail to pay proper benefits under hospital and surgical expense policies. If you or a loved one has been denied benefits by United American Insurance Company for a hospitalization or an outpatient surgical procedure contact the attorneys at Pendley, Baudin and Coffin, L.L.P. for a free potential case evaluation by filling out the form below.
Posted in Current Cases, firm-news |
October 11th, 2012
The federal court overseeing the BP Oil Spill Litigation in New Orleans approved a settlement to pay claims, including those of businesses who submit qualifying economic loss claims. The Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) has closed its doors and the Deepwater Horizon Economic and Property Damage Settlement Claims Program is processing claims.
If your BP claim has been denied by the GCCF, if you need help with an existing claim, or if your business has been impacted by the BP oil spill, it is not too late to file a claim. For a free consultation and information about about whether you have a potential claim or to receive assistance with an existing claim, please contact our team at Pendley, Baudin & Coffin, LLP by filling out the Contact Information (BP Questionnaire) below or by calling our toll free number: 1-888-725-2477. Our team will then contact you to assess your eligibility.
WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT A CLAIM UNDER THE SETTLEMENT?
You may be eligible to receive monetary compensation through the economic and property damage settlement program if you have been damaged by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in one or more of the following categories:
- Seafood Compensation
- Business Related Economic Damage (Click here to see some listed businesses: Tourism)
- Loss of Subsistence
- Vessel Physical Damage
- Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) Charter Payment
- Coastal Real Property Damage
- Wetlands Real Property Damage
- Real Property Sales Damage
Our team is accepting BP oil spill related business economic loss damage claims from potential clients, including but not limited to the following general categories:
- Seafood-Related Businesses
- Gas Stations and Convenience Stores
- Restaurants and Bars
- Hotels and Motels
- Tourism-Related Businesses
- Recreational Businesses
- Clothing, Department and Sporting Goods Stores
To qualify in the settlement, the majority of businesses need only show that their gross revenues for three consecutive months between May and December 2010 diminished 15% as compared to the same months in either 2009, the average of 2008-2009, or the average of 2007-2009, and that they increased by 10% for the same months in 2011. Importantly, outside of what the settlement methodology requires, a business is not required to draw a connection between the oil spill and their drop in revenues.
DOES THE LOCATION OF MY BUSINESS AFFECT MY POTENTIAL CLAIM?
As long as your business is located in the geographic areas or “Zones” identified in the map below, you may have an eligible claim under the settlement:
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF MY POTENTIAL ECONOMIC LOSS CLAIM?
The method of calculating the amount of business loss under this settlement is unique in that the claimant defines their own compensation period. A claimant can choose any three or more consecutive months between May and December 2010 as their compensation period (post-spill period). A claimant then chooses a Benchmark Period of the same three or more consecutive months in prior year(s), including the most favorable of the following time periods, against which to measure 2010 performance (pre-spill period):
- 2009
- Average of 2008 and 2009
- Average of 2007, 2008, and 2009
MULTIPLIER — An RTP multiplier will be applied to the payments for some types of Economic Damage claims, which could significantly increase the value of your potential claim. Please contact us to discuss your multiplier that may apply to your claim.
Pendley, Baudin & Coffin has attorneys and has retained other professionals who will assist in evaluating and processing your claim. Our team gets paid legal fees only if we are successful in recovering compensation for you. Please fill out the CONTACT US (BP QUESTIONNAIRE) BELOW.
Posted in Current Cases, firm-news |
October 10th, 2012
Methylprednisolone acetate, a steroid injection used to treat back pain, has caused an outbreak of rare fungal meningitis (Breaking News: Other products by NECC, New England Compounding Center, have been cited in this FDA Alert). Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and the spinal cord. It cannot be passed from person to person, but this fungal infection of the spinal cord is very difficult to treat. Symptoms may occur starting 1 to 4 weeks after the injection. They include:
- Fever
- New or worsening headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness and fever
- Neck stiffness
- Sensitivity to light
- New weakness or numbness
- Increasing pain
- Redness or swelling of the injection site
Investigators have traced the outbreak to New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass. They found fungus in at least one sealed vial of the custom made steroid, methylprednisolone acetate, at the specialty pharmacy. Vials of the steroid had been sent to 23 states. Physicians have been urged by the Food and Drug Administration not to use any of the company’s products. New England Compounding Center recalled the drug and has also recalled everything else it makes.
This deadly fungal meningitis outbreak has risen to over 271 cases in over 15 states with at least 21 fatalities. Tennessee had the first diagnosed case last month.
If you or a loved one has developed fungal meningitis as a result of steroid injections, please contact the experienced attorneys at Pendley, Baudin & Coffin L.L.P. by filling out your contact information below or by calling our office at 1-888-725-2477.
Posted in Current Cases, firm-news |
July 18th, 2012
Pendley, Baudin & Coffin, L.L.P. are pursuing EFFEXOR birth defect cases throughout the country. Christopher Coffin and Nicholas Rockforte of Pendley, Baudin & Coffin, L.L.P. along with a number of attorneys filed the first birth defect case against EFFEXOR. The case alleges the death of an Ohio infant was directly related to her mother’s ingestion of EFFEXOR. EFFEXOR is a popular and common drug used in the treatment of depression, it is also known as generic venlafaxine HCL. The case declares a link between birth defects and the use of the anti-depressant drug which is a SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). EFFEXOR is manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer, Inc. Wolters Kluwer Health/United States, Inc. as the labelers and distributors of information about the drug are also listed on the complaint.
The FDA approved EFFEXOR in 1993, but the parties involved neglected to disclose the birth defect risks to physicians treating women of child bearing age. Christopher Coffin of New Orleans, La., who specializes in pharmaceutical litigation throughout the country, states “It is likely that the defendants had evidence to the contrary of what was disseminated for public information.” On July 11, 2012 Mr. Coffin made a presentation on EFFEXOR birth defect litigation at the HB Litigation Conference in Philadelphia, Pa. on Zoloft and Birth Defects Litigation. He provided attendees with information about the history of EFFEXOR and EFFEXOR XR, some of the legal issues involved in the cases, and the status of EFFEXOR birth defect cases currently filed in the United States.
Studies have shown that anti-depressants, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor), have been known to increase the risk of serious side effects when taken during pregnancy. This can result in serious birth defects, congenital abnormalities, or complications with pregnancy. Some of these defects include:
- Heart (Cardiac) defects
- Skull (Craniosynostosis) defect
- Brain and spinal cord (Neural-tube) defects
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)
- Abdominal wall defects (Infant Omphalocele)
- Cleft lip and cleft palate
- Complete or partial closure of the anus (Anal Atresia)
- One or both feet turn downward and inward (Clubfoot)
- Limb defects
Click the following links to read more about EFFEXOR and other anti-depressants and there link to birth defects:
If you took the antidepressant EFFEXOR during pregnancy and your baby was born with a birth defect, please contact our firm by filling out the Contact Us form below or call us at 1-888-725-2477. Our experienced and successful pharmaceutical product liability legal team will make sure you are effectively represented.
Posted in Current Cases, firm-news |
July 16th, 2012
Judge Cynthia Rufe, a federal court judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, has appointed Chris Coffin as one of the members of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the national Zoloft Birth Defect Litigation. Chris will join several other lawyers from around the country in leading the Zoloft birth defect litigation on behalf of hundreds of plaintiffs injured by the Pfizer drug, Zoloft.
Chris Coffin has years of experience and background in litigating complex cases involving defective pharmaceuticals and medical devices, environmental contamination, product liability, toxic torts and consumer fraud claims. He has been heavily involved in multiple class action and mass tort cases throughout the United States and has served as a leader in many national lawsuits representing thousands of individuals.
As the leader of Pendley, Baudin & Coffin’s pharmaceutical and medical device litigation practice, Chris Coffin has prosecuted cases against pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers for over nine years and has been licensed as a registered nurse for approximately fifteen years. The combination of his background in nursing and law provides him with a unique perspective when litigating pharmaceutical and medical device cases. The knowledge and experience that he possesses in the area of pharmaceutical and medical device litigation has helped the firm to successfully litigate thousands of cases addressing drug and device manufacturing defects, design defects, inadequate warnings and fraudulent misrepresentations made by manufacturers. The firm has litigated cases against some of the largest pharmaceutical and medical device companies in the world and has led national pharmaceutical cases involving clients from almost every state in the country. For more information about Chris see his biography under the Attorneys section. To read more about birth defects linked to anti-depressants click here.
Posted in firm-news |
