Pharmaceutical giants Johnson & Johnson and Bayer HealthCare are facing a new Xarelto lawsuit, from a woman alleging fatal Xarelto injuries caused the death of her loved one.

She is filing behalf on a deceased Xarelto patient, who had used the medication according its dosing instructions but had still suffered fatal Xarelto injuries.

Plaintiff Anita F. is filing this Xarelto lawsuit on behalf of the late Franklin C., who had ingested Xarelto and allegedly suffered fatal internal bleeding experiences.

Franklin was prescribed Xarelto to lower the risk of stroke and other blood clot events and began taking the medication on March 6, 2014.

During the time of his prescription, Franklin did not use Xarelto outside of its treatment purpose and did not deviate from his prescription dosing schedule or his physician’s instructions.

Even though he was being diligent, Franklin suffered fatal Xarelto injuries just several months after starting the prescription on August 26, 2014.

Franklin ultimately died from his fatal Xarelto injuries, resulting in Anita filing this wrongful death lawsuit on his behalf.

At no point during his Xarelto prescription was Franklin aware of the risk of fatal Xarelto injuries nor did the pharmaceutical companies warn him against the potential events, the lawsuit states.

Overview of Xarelto Bleeding Complications

Xarelto is a member of the new generation anticoagulant family that include Pradaxa and Eliquis – all developed and released to compete against warfarin.

Before Pradaxa was released in 2010, warfarin had been the only anticoagulant available on the market for patients who were at first risk for stroke and other blood clot events.

Xarelto and other anticoagulants work by inhibiting the body’s clotting mechanism, which maximizes circulation.

However this treatment mechanism also prevents the body from recovering from typical internal bleeding events putting patients in potential danger.

Currently, warfarin has a widely available bleeding antidote in case of internal bleeding events. In addition, warfarin is also the only anticoagulant that requires patients to adhere to frequent doctor appoints for dose adjustments.

Internal bleeding events are risks of every anticoagulant, but warfarin is only drug of its kind with such precautions.

Xarelto was a lucrative joint effort between Johnson & Johnson and Bayer HealthCare that successfully entered the anticoagulant market, but has also resulted in negative press for the companies.

Numerous patients have alleged they suffered Xarelto injuries with the warning label lacking any description of such a possibility. A multidistrict litigation (MDL) has formed to consolidate the similar Xarelto lawsuits to move the litigation process along.

Anita states that Franklin never would have taken Xarelto if he had known the risks of fatal Xarelto injuries.

The Fatal Xarelto Injuries Lawsuit is Case No. 2:16-cv-14021, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.