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In a recently-filed product liability lawsuit, an Illinois woman says she lost her husband to a cardiac event during a kidney dialysis appointment, and that the death could have been prevented had Fresenius Medical Care properly advised the public of risks of heart problems arising from the use of its dialysis chemicals.
Alvin Ballard reportedly began undergoing hemodialysis treatment beginning in 2006 and continued to do so for more than five years. According to the lawsuit, he suffered from a cardiac arrest on Nov. 14, 2011, dying that same day, after being administered GranuFlo and/or NaturaLyte. His wife Caren is seeking damages from the company on counts of negligence, defective design, failure to warn, breaches of express and implied warranties, fraudulent misrepresentation and deceit, among others.
Ballard’s lawsuit alleges that both GranuFlo and NaturaLyte contain sodium diacetate, leading to higher levels of acetate and therefore sodium bicarbonate concentrations in the bloodstream of kidney dialysis patients. This condition can lead to metabolic alkalosis, which “if left undiagnosed and/or untreated can lead to electrolyte imbalances,” dangerously low levels of potassium and as a result, GranuFlo heart failure side effects.
Despite the knowledge that sodium diacetate could lead to these conditions, the GranuFlo lawsuit alleges that it was not until 2010 that Fresenius Medical Care assessed how many fatalities there were as a result of the excess levels of sodium bicarbonate in patients. A medical director at the company found that in 667 of the company’s own facilities, there were more than 900 deaths associated with GranuFlo and NaturaLyte. An internal memo reported these risks to employees, but the firm did not advise other kidney dialysis center operators until after the document was leaked. A Class 1 recall would follow in June 2012.
The GranuFlo side effects lawsuit is Caren Ballard v. Fresenius Medical Care Holding Inc., et al., Case No. 13-cv-06067, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Hemodialysis patients who suffered from cardiac events may have been dealing with GranuFlo heart failure side effects. Legal options may be available to them or their loved ones. The first step to determining eligibility is with a no-cost legal consultation. One is available to those who fill out the short form at the Kidney Dialysis Heart Attack, GranuFlo & NaturaLyte Recall Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation today. A NaturaLyte lawsuit lawyer will contact you to review the facts of your potential case and outline what steps you may be able to take.
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