Fresenius was on top of the world in the early 2000s. Not only did the company own and operate the most kidney dialysis centers in the U.S., but it also manufactured necessary drugs that complemented dialysis. Both GranuFlo and NaturaLyte were used in every single Fresenius center, but also sold to other, unrelated kidney dialysis centers.
These two drugs were supposed to help level the bicarbonate levels in the blood, something that’s a requirement for dialysis patients, but it turns out dosing problems led to severe side effects like sudden cardiac arrest and other deadly heart issues.
Was this simply an oversight? A lack of testing? As it turns out, according to numerous GranuFlo lawsuits, it seems to be an alleged coverup.
In late 2009, an internal memo was sent to just a few key physicians at a handful of Fresenius dialysis centers allegedly warning about the cardiac risks of GranuFlo. This memo was never meant to be seen by more than a few people, but it was leaked to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It revealed that Fresenius not only knew about hundreds of deaths linked to GranuFlo and NaturaLyte, but also allegedly planned to continue using the dialysis drugs. A GranuFlo class action lawsuit quickly followed as victims and survivors realized that Fresenius was allegedly purposefully putting their patients’ lives at risk.
On Jan. 22, 2014, a short-order GranuFlo lawsuit was filed by plaintiff Takisha Gibbs on behalf of her late mother, Connie Gibbs, who lost her life allegedly to GranuFlo. Connie went to a Fresenius center for her kidney dialysis because it was the most convenient dialysis center to her. She had no idea about the side effects of both drugs.
On March 3, 2005, Connie suffered sudden cardiopulmonary arrest, “which is alleged to have been caused by Defendant’s GranuFlo administered to Plaintiff for dialysis treatment at Fresenius Greenville Dialysis Center in Greenville, North Carolina,” Gibbs’ lawsuit states.
Dialysis is a common event for those who need treatment, and there was nothing else unusual about that day—and Connie, along with her family, had no idea what was in store. The only silver lining is that many who suffer a sudden cardiac event pass quickly, but that’s no consolation for a grieving family. Many did not realize until after GranuFlo was recalled from the market that their loved one’s death was caused by their dialysis treatment.
Takisha joined a GranuFlo multi-district litigation (MDL) so that she can take advantage of a faster resolution to her GranuFlo claim. When patients require kidney dialysis, their health is already compromised and many people take the heart attack at face value—never looking below the surface to see if a drug was to blame.
Takisha is suing Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Inc., Fresenius Medical Care North America, Fresenius USA Inc., Fresenius USA Manufacturing Inc., Fresenius USA Marketing Inc., Fresenius USA Sales Inc., Fresenius Medical Care AG & CO, Fresenius Medical Care Management AG, Fresenius SE and CO, and Fresenius Management SE.
Even though Takisha is joining the GranuFlo MDL, she will still get her own unique trial by jury so the circumstances of her mother’s death will be looked at on its own merit. However, the process will be faster because the basics of the GranuFlo complaint, such as the details of the internal menu, won’t have to be re-hashed time and again. A class action lawsuit ensures that the family will get the fastest resolution possible while still maintaining a fair process.
Specifically, Takisha is suing Fresenius for strict liability, negligent failure to warn, negligent design, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, breach of implied warranty of fitness for particular purpose, breach of express warranty, fraud, violation of consumer protection laws, loss of consortium, wrongful death and survival action.
She may also quality for punitive damages, court fees and any other compensation the jury might see as appropriate in this case.
Do You Have a GranuFlo Story?
Did you suffer a cardiac event while taking GranuFlo or did you lose a loved one to the drug? If this happened to you, you might have a GranuFlo legal claim. Read more at the Kidney Dialysis Heart Attack, GranuFlo & NaturaLyte Recall Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page. Once your information is received, a lawyer will contact you if you have a case for a complimentary GranuFlo claim review.
