A new Xarelto lawsuit has been filed against Janssen Research & Development in federal court.

The Xarelto lawsuit alleges that the pharmaceutical manufacturer failed to warn the plaintiff, the medical community, and the general public about the dangerous health risks associated with taking the blood thinner medication.

The Xarelto lawsuit is brought by Mary A. and her husband Hubert A., residents of Louisiana. According to the Xarelto lawsuit, Mary was prescribed Xarelto by her treating physician. She was prescribed the medication beginning in January of 2013 and used the medication up until May of 2014.

Mary alleges that during the time she took Xarelto she experienced abnormal bleeding which resulted in a several day hospital stay. Mary claims that the drug caused her to suffer serious and dangerous Xarelto side effects including life-threatening bleeding and several other personal injuries.

Mary’s husband Hubert is bringing a claim for loss of consortium against Janssen Research and Development. A loss of consortium claim is brought when a person has lost the benefit of a their spouse’s intimacy or relationship.

The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory, consequential, and punitive damages.

What is Xarelto?

Xarelto, generically known as rivaroxaban, is a popular anticoagulant prescribed by many physicians. Xarelto is just one in a new generation of blood thinners that have recently entered the market.

The medication was approved in 2011 to prevent blot clots from forming after surgery. Xarelto is often prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, as well as to treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Ironically, one of the most serious Xarelto side effects appears to be an increased risk of severe blood clot in younger patients who are prescribed the medication after a hip or knee replacement surgery. Other serious side effects include uncontrolled bleeding and hemorrhaging.

Adverse event reports received by the FDA suggest that Xarelto and many other new anticoagulant medications are some of the most dangerous prescription drugs on the market.

Advertising for Xarelto often claims the medication is superior to more traditional and established blood thinners such as Warfarin. Warfarin requires its users to maintain strict dietary restricts and undergo constant blood monitoring.

These restrictions are not required for patients taking Xarelto. Unfortunately no FDA approved antidote exists for Xarelto and other similar blood thinners. If a patient taking Warfarin begins to experience uncontrolled bleeding a doctor can inject a dose of vitamin K sometimes mixed with fresh or frozen plasma. This isn’t true for patients taking Xarelto.

Xarelto Lawsuits

Several lawsuits have been filed against this new generation of blood thinners and product liability attorneys expect the numbers to increase. Awards and settlements from these lawsuits will help victims pay off past and future medical bills as well as compensate them for the pain and suffering they have been forced to endure.

Xarelto lawsuits will likely allege that the drug company violated consumer protection laws. These lawsuits help hold large pharmaceutical companies accountable for their actions.

The Xarelto Lawsuit is Case No: 2:15-cv-01690-EEF-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.