Fresenius Hit With GranuFlo Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Mississippi plaintiff Alice Cowart is suing Fresenius Medical Care for the wrongful death of her husband, Elliot Cowart.  Mrs. Cowart alleges that her husband’s death was the direct result of using GranuFlo and NaturaLyte by causing the sudden heart attack that ultimately resulting in his death.

The GranuFlo lawsuit states that Mr. Cowart was prescribed NaturaLyte and GranuFlo as part of his kidney dialysis treatment. On Sept. 27, 2010 he had received the normal treatment dosage.  However, after the appointment he suffered an heart attack one day later. He had started experiencing symptoms of this event shortly after the procedure, and despite emergency medical intervention, Mr. Cowart could not be saved.

Ideally, GranuFlo and NaturaLyte would have allowed the Mississippi to live a longer life with sufficient kidney replicated function. Instead, he suffered extreme adverse side effects and was not aware that he was subject to suffer such events, according to the Fesenius lawsuit.  There were no warnings or indications of such side effects on the products’ warnings labels, nor did the Fresenius make any effort to notify the decedent or his wife.

Reportedly, his physicians were not made aware of this and other extreme side effects until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified the public of these products causing sudden cardiac complications in 2012.  Additionally, the Fresenius made no effort to point out relevant studies or offer reversal agents.  Mrs. Cowart states in the GranuFlo lawsuit that her husband would not have used these products if he had known about these side effects.

Mrs. Cowart’s charges against Fresenius Medical Care include negligence, false advertising, misrepresenting a product, and concealing information.

Overview of GranuFlo and NaturaLyte Complications

Fresenius Medical Care is the largest dialysis business in the world, with 1,800 clinics in the United States. The products that this company is most famous for are GranuFlo and NaturaLyte dialysates, which are used to treat kidney failure. These products were approved by the FDA in 2003 and 2007 respectively, and have since been the most widely used dialysis treatments in the country. These dialysates are meant to simulate kidney functioning, so the body’s natural waste and electrolytes are processed.

The products are primarily consisted of acetate and bicarbonate, which allows for the vital simulation kidney function.  While the process has been observed to work, there are various medical complications that come along with it.  The primary one being hyperkalemia, which is when the potassium levels of the body rise uncontrollably. This causes the body’s blood-flow to slow down, which allows for the formation of blood-clots. This ultimately allows for the potential for the side effects of cardiac death, stroke, heart attack, and other side effects.

Fresenius Medical Care reportedly knew about these side effects, but made no effort to warn the public until an internal memo from Fresenius was leaked to the FDA.

On March 29, 2012 Fresenius officially admitted that GranuFlo and NaturaLyte were causing these side effects, and that doctors should be wary when administering them.  A Class I Recall of these products was issued by the FDA in response.

GranuFlo and NaturaLyte Litigation Movement

This GranuFlo lawsuit is Alice Cowart vs. Fresenius Medical Care, Case No. 2:13-Cv-00209-Ks-Mtp, in the U.S. District Court For The Southern District Of Mississippi, Hattiesburg Division.

File a GranuFlo or NaturaLyte Lawsuit Today

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a GranuFlo or NaturaLyte injury, you have legal options. Please visit the Kidney Dialysis Heart Attack GranuFlo and NaturaLyte Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation.  There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned GranuFlo or NaturaLyte lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation.  You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees.  The GranuFlo or NaturaLyte attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.