GranuFlo Lawyers Target Other Dialysis Providers

GranuFlo Lawyers Target Other Dialysis Providers

By John Curran

New cases in a Colorado federal court indicate a problematic development for DaVita Healthcare Partners and other kidney dialysis providers who used chemicals linked to GranuFlo and NaturaLyte heart failure side effects. While the solutions were manufactured by Fresenius Medical Care, they were used by numerous dialysis centers and GranuFlo lawsuit lawyers say that they could have done more to prevent adverse side effects in patients.

DaVita and other kidney dialysis center operators are likely to argue that they had no idea that the Fresenius Medical Care products GranuFlo and NaturaLyte were dangerous for their patients until they received a publicized memo in March 2012, and confirmed with a Class 1 FDA recall in June of that year. However, legal teams for several plaintiffs note the same issues for these providers that they do for Fresenius: the issues surrounding chemicals linked to cardiac arrest risks have been known for decades.

Bicarbonates are created by the cleansing process, and are related to baking soda available in nearly every supermarket. However, in most kidney dialysis treatments, the patient receives the clean blood directly into their heart. While bicarbonates are useful in small quantities as a method to treat heart attacks, in high dosages they lead to heart failure and cardiac arrest.

Studies going as far back as 1981 have demonstrated the causal relationship, which is why GranuFlo lawsuit lawyers question the defense by both Fresenius Medical Care and Davita Healthcare Partners. Kidney dialysis technicians monitor the levels of a number of chemicals to ensure that dialysis patients do not have any impurities in their blood. However, if that is the case, then why were technicians unable to detect the increased levels of bicarbonates?

While DaVita and other providers may argue that they expected the chemicals that caused GranuFlo cardiac arrest problems to be safe, it is unclear why they wouldn’t check for chemical levels that could lead to severe heart problems, and many could face serious legal issues as a result.

If you or someone you know received kidney dialysis and suffered from heart problems, you may be eligible to pursue a claim against Fresenius Medical Care and potentially your kidney dialysis provider. Learn more at the Kidney Dialysis Heart Attack, GranuFlo & NaturaLyte Recall Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. While there, fill out the short form for a free consultation. Judges are working to consolidate cases, so act quickly so there are no delays in any potential legal remedy.