In 2014, drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim paid out a Pradaxa settlement for 650 million dollars.

The Pradaxa settlement resolved nearly 4,000 different Pradaxa lawsuits. If the settlement was divided equally between the individuals, Plaintiffs were likely to receive over $160,000 each.

Boehringer Ingelheim has made billions of dollars in revenue selling their blood thinner Pradaxa. Pradaxa is a new generation of blood thinner that earned FDA approval back in 2010.

Since its release, the anticoagulant has gained widespread popularity across the United States. Pradaxa is often advertised as a superior alternative to its competitor warfarin (Coumadin). According to Pradaxa advertising, patients taking Pradaxa do not have to undergo frequent blood testing or follow a strict diet regimen.

Advertising materials for Pradaxa also alleged that patients taking Pradaxa are less likely to experience internal bleeding side effects than patients who are prescribed warfarin. Internal and uncontrolled bleeding are common side effects of all blood thinning medications, but the lawsuits involved in the Pradaxa settlement alleged that Pradaxa’s risks were greater than advertised.

Thousands of Pradaxa lawsuits have been filed against Boehringer Ingelheim for failing to warn the medical community and general public about dangerous side effects associated with taking the medications. Other claims against the company likely include fraud, misrepresentation, negligence, breach of warranty, and strict products liability.

Until recently, no FDA approved antidote existed to reverse uncontrolled bleeding in Pradaxa users. Warfarin has long had an FDA approved antidote. Patients taking wafarin who experience uncontrolled bleeding can be given a dose of vitamin K mixed with fresh or frozen plasma.

This mixture helps to reverse the anticoagulant effects of the blood thinner. Unfortunately, because the blood thinners function in different ways, the warfarin antidote is ineffective in Pradaxa patients.

Product liability attorneys are currently looking for potential plaintiffs to bring Pradaxa lawsuits against Boehringer Ingelheim. Prior to the $650 million settlement the 4,000 associated cases were part of multidistrict litigation. This means the cases were funneled before a single judge for pretrial motions and discovery requests. This is done to increase the efficiency and consistency of the litigation.

Often several bellwether will go to trial before the other lawsuits as test cases. This process allows the defendants and other plaintiffs to gauge how well their case will play out in court and promotes Pradaxa settlement conferences. Cases that don’t settle after the test cases are concluded are often returned to the court of their original jurisdiction (where the case would have been originally brought).

In the case of mass settlements like the 2014 $650 million settlement, payment may be tiered based according to the extent of injury.

Potential plaintiffs who are interested in filing a Pradaxa lawsuit should speak with a legal professional about the facts and circumstances of their case. Successful plaintiffs may receive significant compensation either through a Pradaxa settlement or a jury award.

Compensation may be awarded based on the victim’s pain and suffering and past and future medical bills. Family members who have lost loved ones may also be able to bring a Pradaxa lawsuit on behalf of their loved one.