A new quinolone peripheral neuropathy lawsuit was recently filed against Johnson & Johnson in a Northern California federal court. Karyn G,. a Maryland resident, filed this quinolone lawsuit for personal injuries she sustained while taking the fluoroquinolone antibiotic Levaquin. In this Levaquin lawsuit, Karyn alleges that she developed peripheral neuropathy (also known as nerve damage) as a result of taking Levaquin.

According to the Levaquin lawsuit, Karyn was prescribed Levaquin by a medical professional and had the prescription filled at her local Rite Aid pharmacy. The quinolone peripheral neuropathy lawsuit alleges that the Levaquin warning label misled Karyn and her physician to believe that peripheral neuropathy was a rare side effect associated with taking the antibiotic and that the condition could be avoided by discontinuing the drug at the onset of the nerve damage symptoms. Unfortunately, according to the Levaquin lawsuit, these drug claims made by Johnson & Johnson and its associates were untrue. According to medical research, the onset of irreversible peripheral neuropathy can occur quickly and, in many cases, discontinuation of medication cannot ensure that the nerve damage symptoms are reversible.

The Levaquin lawsuit alleges that Johnson & Johnson violated consumer protection laws. Karyn brings claims for strict liability, failure to warn, negligence, fraud, and breach of warranty against the pharmaceutical company. Karyn is seeking damages for past medical bills and the purchase cost that she incurred while paying for her Levaquin prescriptions. She is also asking for punitive damages in this Levaquin lawsuit.

Karyn is not alone in seeking compensation for injuries sustained from taking Levaquin. Personal injury attorneys across the United States are investigating patient claims for potential lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and various other quinolone manufacturers. Quinolone peripheral neuropathy settlements and awards from these fluoroquinolone lawsuits may help compensate for the pain and suffering many victims endured allegedly due to taking the medication.

What is Levaquin?

Levaquin is a popular antibiotic often used to treat various infections including urinary tract, lung, and sinus infections caused by bacteria. Levaquin belongs to a family of antibiotic medications known as quinolones, or fluoroquinolones. Levaquin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December of 1996. In 2003, Levaquin became the number one prescribe fluoroquinolone on the U.S. market. Three years later in 2006, Levaquin was the number one prescribed antibiotic in the world. As the years passed, Levaquin remained popular in the United States and worldwide. In 2007, Levaquin brought in over $1.6 billion for J&J, accounting for 6.4 percent of Johnson & Johnson’s yearly revenue.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is the result of damage to the peripheral nerves. Common symptoms are numbness and/or pain in the hands, feet, or other areas of the body. Serious cases can result in muscle weakness or paralysis. The peripheral nervous system is responsible for sending messages from the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), to other areas of the body. According to medical professionals, early treatment is the best chance for controlling the symptoms and preventing permanent damage.

The Quinolone Peripheral Neuropathy Lawsuit is Case No. 3:14-cv-03557, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division.